French, B.A.
Acquire superior levels of French and become a global professional.
"The team of French professors at UM is extremely supportive, meaning they can really get to know their students as they progress through the major."
Kappy Eastman ('24)
B.A. in French and International Studies
Bachelor of Arts in French
The Department of Modern Languages in the College of Liberal Arts offers the B.A. in French. Studying French gives students insight into a diverse array of cultures and trains them to be global professionals with superior levels of French language skills. French majors study the language, linguistics, literature, history and culture of the Francophone world. They gain the cultural awareness and intellectual strategies necessary to successfully navigate the interconnected and multicultural world in which we live.
The Value of French Proficiency
More than 220 million people in over 40 different countries speak French. Studying French gives students insight into a diverse array of cultures in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America. French is one of the official languages of the United Nations, the European Union, UNESCO, NATO, the International Olympic Committee, the International Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and international courts. On a more local level, students studying French at UM can learn the history of this region, as Mississippi was part of the French colony of Louisiana during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Related careers and jobs to French include iinternational business, banking, tourism, journalism, law, translation, policy analysis, foreign service, cultural affairs, military service, non-profits, health care, and more.
On this Page…
Program Information
Degree
B.A. in French
Required Credit Hours
120
Program Type
Major
Minor
Program Location
School
Duration
4 Years
Degree Requirements
Find out about credit hour and course requirements.
Students in the College of Liberal Arts earning the B.A. degree have a common set of 48-50 hours of general education. The specific courses taken to complete the categories of general education may differ between majors.
Categories of General Education:
- First Year Writing I, II
- English Literature Survey
- Modern or Ancient Language
- History
- Additional Humanities
- Fine or Performing Arts Appreciation
- Mathematics
- Social Sciences
- Natural Sciences
To see the details for these general education requirements, visit the UM online catalog or the degree sheet attached at the top of this webpage.
Students in the B.A. in French complete 30 credit hours of French courses beyond the 200 level, including at least 9 credit hours at the 500 level. Students must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of advanced courses at UM and a maximum of 15 credit hours through an approved study abroad program. Grades lower than C in French courses will not be counted toward the major. Students completing the BA degree in the College of Liberal Arts are required to complete a minor field of study (or second major).
A minor in French requires the completion of 15 credit hours at the 300 level or higher. A maximum of 9 credit hours may be taken through an approved study abroad program. Grades lower than C in French courses will not be counted toward the minor.
- Fr 303: Conversation & Composition I
- Fr 304: Conversation & Composition II
- 3 courses (9 credit hours) of French courses at the 300 level or above.
Department Opportunities
Video: Get to Know the Department of Modern Languages
Hear firsthand from students and faculty about the French program.
Double Major: French and International Studies
Enhance your French degree with a B.A. in International Studies, an interdisciplinary major that focuses on the connections between politics, economics, and culture at the international level.
Students in the Croft Institute:
- Have access to small, discussion-based Croft courses with the Institute's professors who foster discussion, reflection and analysis.
- Specialize in a foreign language and study abroad for at least one semester in a country where that language is spoken.
- Can apply to Croft Scholars program, a prestigious scholarship which can be combined with other forms of financial assistance.
Jobs with a French Degree
- Director of Medical Education, WebMD-London
- Faculty, University of Pennsylvania
- English Teacher, American School, Switzerland
- French Teacher, Columbia High School
- Business Analyst, Applied Information Services
- Vice Pres., Merchants & Farmers Bank
- Global Knowledge Manager, KPMG
- Partner, Pricewaterhousecoopers
- Communications Coord., Kate Spade
- Legal Editor, Bloomberg Law
- Assoc General Council, TransAtlantic
- Project Manager, IBM
- Director, US Commodity Future Trading Comm.
- International Economist, US Dept. of Commerce
- Dir. of Employee Engagement, St. Jude Hospital
Welcome to the College of Liberal Arts
As Coordinator of Student Recruitment for the College of Liberal Arts, I work with students, and their parents, who are interested in attending UM for their undergraduate degrees. I coordinate personalized visits to our departments, answer questions about the majors and programs in the CLA and handle all recruitment communications from the CLA. Please feel free to send me any questions you may have. It is my job to make sure you have everything you need to make an informed decision on where to spend your college career, and I hope it will be with the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Mississippi!
Annabelle Harris
Admissions Counselor
Future CLA Students
College of Liberal Arts Undergraduates
We invite future undergraduates to learn about the College of Liberal Arts, the value of the liberal arts education, our programs, career opportunities, and resources to help you succeed. You can also request a personalized degree sheet.
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Apply to the University of Mississippi
Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?