Become a truly global citizen with a major in French, the official language of 30 countries worldwide and one of two working languages used by the United Nations.

Hone your French-language skills, then dive into courses in Francophone literature, film and culture. You’ll have the chance to study abroad at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest, our partner school in Angers, France, located in the stunning Loire Valley. Or study in another French-speaking country and use your language skills as a bridge to a different culture.

When you graduate, you’ll be ready to make a difference globally. You’ll be able to work in key French-speaking cities in the European Union, like Brussels, Paris and Geneva, or apply your skills as a teacher or editor. Work for the State Department or a nongovernmental organization (NGO) in Africa or the Caribbean. Or use your language skills in a career in international business, based in the U.S. or abroad.

What do our graduates do?

French majors go on to a variety of careers and graduate schools from St. Edward’s. Here’s a sample.

  • Teacher at the YEL World School in Perpignan, France
  • Program manager for France, Belgium and Greece at International Studies Abroad
  • Guest services representative for the Walt Disney Company
  • Chat sales specialist for Francophone Canada at Apple
  • Master’s student at the Paris School of International Affairs

For more information on the French major, please contact Phillipe Seminet, associate professor of French. The French major is part of the department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Major Roadmap

Explore your options — classes, internships, research and study abroad. Use the French Major Guide to find what interests you, discover what you love, and create a major experience that jumpstarts your future. 

54 Alumni Who Inspire

St. Edward’s University counts more than 25,000 alumni around the globe. Some are making their mark in the job they started right after graduation. Others have excelled in multiple careers. Read about how they’re all building on the education they received at St. Edward’s. 

The Classroom and Beyond

French is spoken all over the world, and being bilingual will enhance your job prospects, your appreciation of arts and culture, and your ability to help people who need a translator. At St. Edward’s you can practice your language skills and learn about the cultures of the French-speaking world through clubs, volunteer and internship experiences, and studying abroad.

Study Abroad 

Studying abroad is the perfect way to immerse yourself in a French-speaking environment, learn about another culture and understand how people in another country view the United States. You can spend a semester or year abroad at one of St. Edward’s partner universities in France: L’Institut Supérieur de Gestion (ISG) in Paris or Université Catholique de l'Ouest (UCO) in Angers, a small city 90 minutes southwest of Paris. Or study in another French-speaking setting such as Cameroon, Senegal, Madagascar, Rwanda or Geneva, Switzerland.

French Club 

    As a member of the French Club, you’ll be part of weekly conversation meetups to practice language skills and intercultural communication.