Laurentians at the National Art Gallery in Canada

French (Francophone Studies)

About Our Program

Bonjour! Master the French language with the guidance of fluent professors as you develop a deep understanding of France from history to present day. With an emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, you’ll examine French social and political institutions through film, literature, art, and media.

Put your French language skills into action in our immersive off-campus study opportunities.  With Canada located just a hop, skip, and a bridge away from campus, you can wake up in Canton and in just 90 minutes, chat with our French-speaking neighbors to the North. Want to stamp your passport further? Take advantage of our study abroad programs in France where you can taste French cuisine, explore museums, navigate vibrant cities, and tour vineyards. 

The skills and experiences you gain in our program will open doors to a variety of careers in a global setting. Students who studied a language at St. Lawrence work in the finance industry, serve in the Peace Corps, and teach language in countries around the world.

Program Offerings

  • Major
  • Minor

Department

A Global Perspective

With a wealth of opportunities for a global education, you can put your language skills to use in our study abroad programs as you explore the origins of the language you’ve mastered.

Study Abroad

Choose from more than 30 semester-long programs offered in more than 20 international locations, including Canada and France.

Explore Off-Campus Study Programs

Senior Year Experience (SYE)

Turn your passion into a project with a Senior Year Experience. For example, Madison Rusch ’17 used her language skills to translate a manuscript originally written in another language, to English.

Travel Grant Opportunities

Do you want to pursue independent study or research while abroad? Our students can apply for grants through the Center for International and Intercultural Studies (CIIS) to support projects that enhance immersion in a different culture and extend international or intercultural awareness.  

CIIS Fellows Program

Apply for a grant to undertake off-campus research in another country or within a minority U.S. culture with a faculty mentor.

Learn About Research 

Service Work

Learn by doing in a real-world environment. Our majors gain experience while making a difference through service work. Students in our program have volunteered as language teachers in local areas schools or on campus as teaching and writing assistants for language courses. 

Peace Corps

Since 2014, St. Lawrence has ranked among the Peace Corps’ list of top volunteer-producing small colleges and universities. Since the Peace Corps’ founding in 1961, nearly 300 Laurentians have served abroad as volunteers.

Explore Volunteer Opportunities

Connecting with Community

Among the 150+ clubs and organizations at St. Lawrence, you’ll find many that involve your passion for language, culture, and global perspectives, including: 

  • French Club
  • African Student Union
  • Asian Students Intercultural Association
  • Islamic Culture Club
  • La Sociedad
  • Literacy for Nepal
  • Model U.N. 
  • Euphrates Institute

Explore Student Life at St. Lawrence

Why St. Lawrence for French

96%

Outcomes Rate

Recent graduates were employed or in graduate school within 7-9 months of graduating.

7

The number of languages you can learn at St. Lawrence

Become fluent in:

  • Arabic
  • Chinese
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Spanish
  • Swahili

100%

of our language programs offer an immersive study abroad opportunity

Graduates who studied languages have found domestic and international careers in:

  • Education
  • Business
  • Marketing
  • Publishing
  • Accounting
  • Social Services
  • Government
  • Immigration Law

74%

of St. Lawrence students studying at least one language participate in internships

61%

of St. Lawrence students study off campus at least once

2018 Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization

Simon Award

In 2018, St. Lawrence received the prestigious Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization, which distinguishes excellence in integrating international education throughout all facets of the university

2

Language labs at your disposal with resources to fine-tune your speaking and writing skills

More Program Information

Program Requirements & Courses

Explore Francophone major requirements, as well as electives and combined study options.

Complementary and Related Programs

If you’re interested in Francophone studies you might also like these programs.

France

Study Abroad

Put your French language skills into action in our immersive off-campus study opportunities in programs where you can taste French cuisine, explore museums, and tour vineyards.

Explore Our Programs
Laurentians in Canada

Experience Canada

St. Lawrence is the closest liberal arts college to another country’s capital: Ottawa, Ontario. Whether it's a day trip, semester, or year, you’ll experience the largest country in the Western hemisphere just on the other side of the St. Lawrence River.

Faculty member with students

The Language Lab

Enhance your connection to the global community with state-of-the-art video conferencing and recording spaces in our language labs. You’ll also have access to foreign language films, dictionaries, music, software, games, and world maps.

Students at table

Meet at the Language Table

Grab a seat at the language table of your choice and practice your skills. During these get-togethers with fellow language lovers, you’ll prepare traditional food, listen to guest speakers, and even head off-campus for various activities.

World Languages Week

During this campus-wide, week-long series of events, you’ll celebrate language and culture with trivia, off-campus study seminars, language lessons, an International Iron Chef competition, and a showcase of multicultural talents and traditions.

Get More Information

We’re excited to learn more about you, tell you more about our interdisciplinary academic programs, show you around our beautiful campus, and help you navigate your college search.

Apply to St. Lawrence

We’re looking for curious students who are eager to make a difference. We take a holistic approach to reviewing applications and consider all aspects of your application and what we learn about you.