French and Francophone Studies

Degree Options: Major, Minor
Locations: Lincoln Center, Rose Hill
Visit the Department of Languages and Cultures

The French and Francophone studies program welcomes committed Francophiles with an independent streak and the passion to see their ideas through.

French flag in front of building - LG

More than 320 million people speak French worldwide, and that number is growing fast—it’s expected to exceed 700 million by 2050! That’s why French is among the most in-demand second-language skills sought by employers.

The French and Francophone studies major and minor are individualized, multidisciplinary courses of study based in the Department of Languages and Cultures. As a student, you’ll not only strengthen your language skills but also gain a more nuanced understanding of political, social, historical, and cultural practices in the Francophone world.

Here in New York City, you’ll also be able to put that understanding to work beyond the classroom. You will find academic and extracurricular opportunities to immerse yourself in the city’s rich and diverse Francophone culture and communities. And if you want to spend a semester or a year studying and living in a Francophone country, you can choose from a wide range of study abroad programs.

  • French and Francophone studies majors take a combination of 10 required and elective courses. Students who minor in the program take a combination of six required and elective courses.

    Examples of recent course offerings:

    • Postcolonial Representations
    • Francophone Communities in New York City
    • Podcasts en tous genres
    • France Votes!
    • France and the Global Enlightenment
    • Cultural and Literary History of Journalism
    • Discovering French Cinema
    • Translation and Creative Writing in French

    If you want to learn more about our faculty, visit the Department of Languages and Cultures.

    Study Abroad

    We strongly encourage students to spend a summer, semester, or year studying in a Francophone country. You’ll find many ways to immerse yourself in Francophone language and culture through Fordham’s Study Abroad office.

    Career Outlook

    Recent graduates have earned prestigious fellowships to pursue graduate degrees in the United States and in Francophone countries in various disciplines, including political science, humanitarian studies, French studies, comparative literature, and law.

    Alumni have found career opportunities in the U.S., Europe, and Africa, in fields including:

    • International affairs
    • Finance
    • Publishing
    • Education
    • Arts management
    • Science
    • Clinical psychology

    Our Career Center can connect you to more than 3,500 companies. We offer:

      • Postgraduation career search
      • Resume development, interviewing practice
      • Networking skill development
      • Hands-on case-study sessions with industry executives
      • Field-specific advising/coaching

    You’ll also get access to our powerful (and Fordham-loyal) network of 200,000+ alumni, who want to see you succeed just as they have.

  • The New Wave Arrives!
    Francophone Middle East
    Le Flâneur à Paris
    Women on the Margins in 19th-C France
    Contemporary French Philosophy
    Postcolonial Representations
    Culture & Science in France
    Québecois Literature
    Francophone African Cinemas
    France & the Global Enlightenment

  • With advanced proficiency in speaking and writing French, as well as an extensive literary and cultural preparation, you will be well-equipped to earn advanced degrees in various fields and pursue a wide range of careers. Wherever French is spoken, there may be a role for you.

    Our graduates have earned advanced degrees in:

    • French Studies
    • Comparative Literature
    • International Affairs

    They attend professional schools in:

    • Law
    • Journalism 
    • Social Work
    • Education

    Career opportunities will be open to you in the US, Europe and Africa, in fields as varied as:

    • Finance
    • Publishing
    • Nonprofit

    Our career services tap Fordham’s ties with more than 3,500 companies. We offer:

    • Post-graduation career search
    • Resume development, Interviewing practice
    • Networking skill development
    • Hands-on case-study sessions with industry executives
    • Field-specific advising/coaching

    You also get access to our powerful (and Fordham-loyal) network of alumni, who want to see you succeed as they have.

Learn More About the French and Francophone Studies Degree

Visit the French Department