French

Overview

With French spoken by more than 276 million people in 29 countries on five continents, having the ability to speak, read and write in French has countless personal and professional benefits.

What Is a French Major?

The French major and minor at Saint Joseph's University focus on the language, literature and cultures of the French-speaking world. Our interdisciplinary courses incorporate history, philosophy, gender studies, film studies, art and the sciences, and we also offer courses in French for business and translation. Small class sizes allow for the individual attention necessary to make continual progress in French and for students to work closely with faculty members. Saint Joseph’s University is home to an active chapter of Pi Delta Phi, the National French Honor Society, as well as a French Club that organizes diverse activities for students.

Ways to Study French

Like many of our majors, you may combine your studies in French or Francophone Studies with a specialization in a second field, such as biology, political science, international relations, another language, English, linguistics, philosophy or international business and international marketing. In combination with the education department, we prepare students for certification to teach French at the secondary level.

What Can I Do with a Degree in French?

In an increasingly interdependent world community, the French program helps students become articulate, knowledgeable and culturally aware global citizens. Saint Joseph's French majors and minors have pursued a variety of professions in fields including law, medicine, business, education, linguistics and international relations. They hold a variety of professional roles at businesses, non-profit organizations, government agencies and in academic settings. Many graduates have participated in service opportunities abroad immediately following graduation and before pursuing advanced degrees or entering the workforce. These programs include:

Jesuit Volunteer Corps
Teach for America
Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Fellowship in France
English language teaching assistant in France

Our French majors have gone to pursue careers such as:

French teachers
English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors
Attorneys
International consultants
Digital marketing and communications specialists
Health professionals (including physicians, immunologists, community health specialists)
Academic advisors
International relations specialists
Translators
Civil and foreign servants
Grant administrators
Insurance representatives
Business professionals
Journalists
International marketers

How Will a Degree from Saint Joseph's University Prepare Me for a Future Career?

The critical thinking, analytical and communication skills that students hone as they work closely with faculty prepare them to be agile and resourceful in their diverse career paths. Most French majors study abroad, and the sociocultural fluency that they develop helps them see situations from diverse perspectives, an advantage in any profession. Saint Joseph University’s French program offers various courses on literature and culture throughout the Francophone world and current events and translation. These courses, along with possible internships, encourage students to apply their language study to learn more about their individual professional and personal interests.

Course Catalog Information

Linguistics

As a linguistics major at Saint Joseph’s University, you will study how languages work, where they come from, how they are used in society, how they are learned and how they change over time. You have the option of concentrating in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

English

An English degree from Saint Joseph’s University offers excellent training for a broad range of careers, from public relations to teaching to journalism and beyond. Employers continue to seek talented and articulate individuals who can analyze complex situations, and a degree in English will teach you how to write both creatively and persuasively.

International Relations

As an international relations major, you will study world regions, global affairs, economic development and human rights from various disciplinary perspectives.