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French, BA

Earn your French bachelor degree at Seattle U. Develop the language and cultural skills to advance your French-focused career and become a multicultural leader.

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About this Program

Prepare for French-Focused Careers and Multicultural Leadership

All of our courses aim at expanding the range of our students’ intellect and their cultural competency. We foster an environment of inclusive academic excellence and prepare them for their career goals.

Typically, French bachelor degree students combine a major in French with a Bachelor of Arts in another field.

SU graduates with a French major may find volunteer and career opportunities in many different areas, including Peace Corps, NGOs, nonprofit organizations, the U.S. foreign-service, global businesses and many others. You could find yourself working in Europe, Africa or the Caribbean.

Along with language proficiency, we cultivate citizens of the world. We seek to educate multicultural, responsible leaders who are engaged with empowering traditionally marginalized communities and pursuing the common good of diverse peoples.

Learning about other cultures and civilizations through their language leads to a better understanding of yourself and the world in which we live.

French Language Degree at a Glance

Learn how this degree from the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures will contribute to your career goals. Then, explore course requirements and see how impactful a Seattle University degree can be.

The major in French requires a learning program in a French-speaking country. A study abroad French program will normally encompass at least 25 quarter credits or 15 semester credits of coursework in French.

Add a minor in French to broaden your impact and complement your major. To earn a minor degree, you’ll complete at least 30 credits in this area. The minor in French requires a learning program in a French speaking country for the equivalent of 15 quarter credits.

At Seattle University, we take your career readiness seriously, so we’ve created an inventory and program-level map to help you see what skills you’re likely to practice in your major or, as in this case, as you study your first year of a language.

The various transferable skills are grouped into five clusters:

  • Intellectual
  • Interpersonal/Social
  • Personal/Internal
  • Creative
  • Technical

For each of those clusters, we list multiple components along with definitions to help you see what each of the skills means to employers and organizations. 

Your faculty have examined the first-year courses of your chosen language and have rated the extent to which you are likely to practice and be able to demonstrate your abilities after taking those three courses. This gives you a sense of the kinds of skills you’re likely to develop in your first year studying a modern language.

If you’re planning on attending law school in the future, consider our Bachelor/JD Accelerated 3+3 Program. This degree plan allows you to finish both a law degree and a bachelor’s degree in six years. For more information, visit the Bachelor/JD Accelerated 3+3 Program Admission page.

What You’ll Learn

Learn about the classes you’ll take as a student here.

Support for Your Success

SU Student Austin Nelson

Study Abroad: French in France and Africa

Prepare for a life-changing experience abroad. The French in France and Africa program allows you to earn your French minor and work towards your French major in three separate Francophone countries: France, Morocco and Senegal.

See How
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The College of Arts & Sciences is committed to helping you through your lifetime journey of professional formation and discernment. We offer opportunities to deepen and broaden your understanding of your professional identity.

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Our advising center is dedicated to your holistic academic and professional through academic advising and promotion of academic excellence. We work to solve problems, provide navigational guidance and build connections.

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Seattle University Undergraduate Research Journal

Our peer-reviewed online publication provides an opportunity for you to publish your research. Publication can help you prepare for advanced studies at top graduate programs or demonstrate knowledge and skills when applying for non-academic positions.

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Popular Careers for French Majors

Career opportunities involving modern languages are ever expanding. Openings exist in the following areas:

  • foreign trade.
  • foreign service.
  • international business.
  • media.
  • translation and interpretation.
  • nonprofit organization.
  • librarianship.
  • social work.
  • psychology.
  • teaching.

Additionally, mastery of a modern language is a requirement for many graduate programs across various disciplines.

Hear From Our Alumni

SU Student Schuyler Dull

Schuyler Dull

"At first, signing up to be a French major may call to mind grammar structures, funky pronunciation, and baguettes. While I have consumed many a baguette during my time as a French major, what I did not anticipate was the opening up of the world around me. I cannot be grateful enough for my extraordinary final year of university and a fulfilling adventure in the French major.”

BA, French and International Studies ‘23

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