French & Francophone Studies

Undergraduate Major & Minor College of Liberal Studies

Bachelor of Arts

About

French is the fifth most- spoken language in the world, used on a daily basis by over 230 million people in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, North America, and Asia. In the French & Francophone Studies major, you’ll immerse yourself in authentic French from the start, with an emphasis on contemporary culture and issues in the French-speaking world. You’ll not only learn to communicate effectively in French; you will become a more engaged and empathetic global citizen through the study of francophone literature, film, music, and art in creative collaboration with peers.

Proficiency in French and cross-cultural competence will enhance your studies and your career — in teaching, working with NGOs, international business, and more. French & Francophone Studies majors often choose to study away in Aix-en-Provence, France and usually combine their French study with another major.

Graduates from the last 5 years: Their jobs

Center Director, C2 Education
Education Specialist, Treehouse
Social Value Planning Advisor, Social Value Portal
Development Coordinator, The Brookings Institution
Program Quality Coordinator, CARE International, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
Accounting/HR Assistant, Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego
Co-Founder and Owner, Mogi Visions LLC
Advisory Associate, Financial Services Risk, Regulatory and Compliance, KPMG US

Graduates from the last last 5 years: Their graduate programs

PhD in Anthropology and Sociology, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland
MS in Migration Mobility & Development, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
PhD in French Literature, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN
PhD in French, Columbia University, New York City
MA, Luther Seminary, St. Paul Minnesota
MA, Education, PLU, Tacoma, WA

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Learning French and studying in Aix-en-Provence opened the door for me to potentially live and work in a Francophone country in the future. Like any other language-focused major, a major skill that I've developed is attention to detail and a tolerance for harsh learning curves. The French & Francophone Studies major also introduced me to postcolonial studies, which in turn has sparked my interest in tribal and Federal Indian law in Washington state.

— Anna N. ‘23

Did you know?

Several French majors have participated in the Teaching Assistantship Program in France (TAPIF) following graduation, teaching English to French students of all ages.

Did you know?

PLU’s Kreidler Global Residence Hall gives French & Francophone Studies students the option to live in the French language wing, and focus on global awareness, language immersion, and cultural engagement. Students practice their language with other community members and form relationships with their professors.

Did you know?

Want to study abroad? PLU students regularly study away and earn credit toward their degree through PLU’s featured program in Aix-en-Provence, France as well as in diverse destinations in francophone Africa.