French

What Is French ?

France, with the world's fifth largest economy, is a leader in the export of luxury goods and technology. Canada's French-speaking province of Quebec is in itself the United States' fifth largest trading partner. For this reason, French is an important language for conducting business in the United States and elsewhere. Finally, French is unsurpassed as a language of culture. Discussions about literature, art, gastronomy and fashion inevitably start from and return to France. By studying French, you will be able to experience the varied products of French culture firsthand and to travel more easily in the world's top-rated tourist destination.

Success Factors

Students in French usually possess strong verbal skills, some facility with languages and a desire to travel and interact with other cultures.

Career Possibilities

Students who have earned a BA in French have become:

• Secondary education teacher
• Instructor at colleges and universities
• Foreign service officer
• Translator
• Interpreter
• Sales representative
• Director of marketing
• Lawyer

Additional career options are listed on the Career Development Center's Web site.

Major Details

Students of French study the language, culture and literature of France and other French-speaking countries. French majors develop linguistic skills and enrich themselves through the study of written and oral communication, literature, culture, civilization and business.

McMicken College's flexible degree requirements allow for and highly encourage students to pursue multiple areas of study. Free electives allow for enough credits for students to pursue a minor, certificate program or even complete a second major. Some of the most common pairings are listed below.

• History
• International affairs
• Art history 
• Music
• Fashion

Minor Details

Besides the major, the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures offers three other French programs:

Minor
The minor in French focuses on language and culture (30 credits plus 0-15 credits of prerequisite courses)

Minor/Certificate
The minor/certificate in French is identical to the minor except in being available to non-degree students (e.g., graduate students and working people)

Certificate in Business French
The certificate is nine credits plus 0-24 credit hours of prerequisite courses

More information about these programs is available on the Department of Romance Languages & Literatures Web site on the undergraduate page.

Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

Special Opportunities

Students in the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, Tri-state location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized Center for Exploratory Studies and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.

Special Programs

Valentine House

Valentine House is a French- and Spanish-language immersion residence offering undergraduate students at the University of Cincinnati an opportunity to extend their academic interests into their residence life. Valentine House allows French and Spanish students to practice and improve their language skills in an environment devoted to academic excellence, diversity and international cultural exchange.

The 22 undergraduate students living in Valentine House (11 in French, 11 in Spanish) speak their target language on a daily basis, both in normal conversations and at events hosted by the community. Learn more about Valentine House.

Study Abroad
The Department of Romance Languages & Literatures strongly encourages students to study abroad. We sponsor a variety of programs of different durations in different countries -- from Mexico and Spain to France, Italy and Brazil. Learn more about Study Abroad.

Admission Requirements

Admission criteria for this program vary based on the relative strength of test scores, class rank and GPA. Please see the Freshman Class Profile for this major in the Quick Facts sidebar on this page for the range of academic credentials typically accepted into this program. Test scores in the lower range may be acceptable with higher class rank and/or GPA. Freshmen applying to this program should also have completed the following state of Ohio articulation requirements with no more than two units missing:

• English (4 units)*
• College-preparatory mathematics (3 units)*
• Science (2 units)
• Social science (2 units)
• Foreign language (2 units)*
• Fine arts (1 unit)
• Additional college prep subjects (2 units)

*McMicken College of Arts & Sciences does not allow units missing from these areas.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was not in any of the UC colleges must apply to the Office of Admissions. Applicants in this category must submit transcripts for all secondary school and college-level work. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all college-level work is required for admission consideration. Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus applicants who have received the associate degree from an accredited college or university and whose cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher.

Although midyear off-campus transfer students are not able to participate in priority registration in the quarter prior to their enrollment, they are included in the summer registration period prior to their fall quarter enrollment.

Changing Major Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was as a degree student in one of UC’s other colleges can apply directly to the A&S college office. Admission to A&S is generally available for any on-campus students who have:

• at least a 2.0 GPA in all college-level courses (both at UC and at other institutions),
• successfully completed two quarters of English Composition or its equivalent, and
• gained credit for a college-level mathematics course.

Further details on individual programs are available online or in the A&S Office of Undergraduate Affairs and Advising (102 McMicken Hall).

Graduation Requirements

In addition to meeting the university general education requirements, the requirements listed in the college bulletin are common to all potential graduates of the college, whether they are pursuing the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science or bachelor of interdisciplinary studies degree.

Application Deadlines

UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning in late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, the fall is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin in that quarter. Applicants to Arts & Sciences who are enrolled or who were previously enrolled as degree students in A&S or in other UC colleges should apply for admission directly to A&S (in McMicken 102). All other applicants who wish to earn an undergraduate degree from A&S should apply through the Office of Admissions (3rd Floor, University Pavilion).