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French - B.A.

Bachelor’s Degree in the French Language – B.A.

The bachelor’s degree in French provides the opportunity for students to study the language, literature, and culture of France and Francophone countries, and, once completed, students will possess a strong competency in reading, writing, and oral/aural skills in French. To help gain proficiency, students can attend a weekly French coffee hour. Plus, a conversation course can sometimes involve speaking to people in France live via teleconferencing.

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About Our Bachelor's Degree in French

Kent State University’s Bachelor of Arts in French provides students with comprehensive language training and a deep understanding of Francophone cultures. The program emphasizes proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in French while also exploring literature, history, and contemporary issues in French-speaking regions. 

Additionally, this degree prepares graduates for diverse careers in education, international relations, translation, and business, as well as for further studies in fields such as linguistics and cultural studies. Students develop not only language skills but also cultural competency, enabling them to engage effectively in global contexts.

Program Information for Bachelor’s Degree in the French Language – B.A.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in French provides opportunities for students to study the language, literature and culture of France and Francophone countries. Students gain a respectable measure of competence in reading, writing and oral/aural skills in the French language. To help gain proficiency, students can attend a weekly French coffee hour.

Students can take upper-division French courses abroad, either through Kent's own program with the Paris Institute or with any accredited study abroad program offered by another university. Such programs may be for one semester, one academic year or one summer. However, they most benefit students who have already acquired a strong command of the language here before leaving.

Admissions for Bachelor’s Degree in the French Language – B.A.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.

Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Perform tasks at intermediate-high and advanced-low levels of proficiency as described by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines. Proficiency, in ACTFL terms, is understood to describe a range of qualities rather than an absolute norm and will vary according to task type, language function, topic, skill (listening, speaking, reading, writing) and so forth.
  2. Contribute to most informal and some formal conversations with sufficient accuracy, clarity and precision to convey their intended message without misrepresentation or confusion.
  3. Read a wide variety of and complex texts written for native speakers of French and not edited or adapted for non-native speakers.
  4. Write cohesive summaries, narratives and descriptions of a factual nature in French.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of French history and culture and understand the diverse nature of culture throughout the ages.
  6. Discuss cultural differences, distinguishing between fact, opinion and stereotypes.
  7. Communicate effectively and sensitively with diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
  8. View concepts, issues, events and themes from the perspectives of diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
  9. Esteem diversity.
  10. Maintain an ongoing assessment of their own cultural values and behaviors.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
FR 13201ELEMENTARY FRENCH I 14
FR 13202ELEMENTARY FRENCH II 14
FR 23201INTERMEDIATE FRENCH I 13
FR 23202INTERMEDIATE FRENCH II 13
FR 33211FRENCH CONVERSATION 3
FR 33212FRENCH COMPOSITION 3
FR 33335INTRODUCTION TO FRENCH THEATRE (ELR) (WIC) 23
or FR 33336 INTRODUCTION TO FRENCH POETRY (ELR) (WIC)
or FR 33337 INTRODUCTION TO FRENCH LITERARY PROSE (ELR) (WIC)
FR 33421FRENCH CIVILIZATION 3
French (FR) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level)9
French (FR) Upper-Division Elective (40000 level)3
Cultural Literacy Elective, choose from the following:3
MCLS 20001
GLOBAL LITERACY AND CULTURAL AWARENESS (KADL)
MCLS 20091
VARIABLE CONTENT SEMINAR IN GLOBAL LITERACY: CASE STUDIES
MCLS 30420
FOREIGN LANGUAGES AND CULTURE STUDIES 3
Any Modern and Classical Language Studies (MCLS) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning3
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each)9
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)6
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory)6-7
Kent Core Additional6
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours)42
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

Students with prior knowledge of French may be able to fulfill one or more of the prerequisite courses through an Alternative Credit option. Students may also fulfill one or more of the prerequisite courses by starting in a higher level course than FR 13201 and applying for a proficiency waiver as outlined in the Foreign Language Placement policy. Students can make up the credit hours for any waived courses with general electives or apply the credit hours to a second academic program.

2

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

3

Students seeking K-12 teaching licensure through the Education minor should take MCLS 30420.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
  • All students in the French major must take the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview, ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test and French Outcomes Assessment Test prior to being cleared for graduation. Information about the exams can be found on the ACTFL Website and Language Testing International (LTI) website, the exclusive licensee of ACTFL.

Program Note

  • Some courses in the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies are offered on a rotating basis, and course availability may change at any time. Students should see the program coordinator or academic advisor for course planning.

Foreign Language College Requirement, B.A.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete the following:

  1. Elementary I and II of any language (or equivalent) and
  2. One of the following options:
    1. Intermediate I and II of the same language
    2. Elementary I and II of a second language
    3. Any combination of two courses from the following list:
      1. Intermediate I of the same language
      2. One to two college-level course(s) completed outside the United States
      3. Courses: ARAB 21401, ASL 19401, CHIN 25421, MCLS 10001, MCLS 20001, MCLS 20091, MCLS 21417, MCLS 21420, MCLS 22217, MCLS 28403, MCLS 28404

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer courses. This may be accomplished in one of three ways:

  1. Passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level
  2. Receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University
  3. Demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language

Certain programs may require specific languages, limit the languages from which a student may choose or require coursework through Intermediate II. Students who plan to pursue graduate study may need a particular language proficiency.

Roadmap

Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
FR 13201 ELEMENTARY FRENCH I 4
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Cultural Literacy Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Two
FR 13202 ELEMENTARY FRENCH II 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Three
FR 23201 INTERMEDIATE FRENCH I 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
FR 23202 INTERMEDIATE FRENCH II 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
FR 33212 FRENCH COMPOSITION 3
French (FR) Upper-Division Electives (30000 or 40000 level) 6
General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
FR 33211 FRENCH CONVERSATION 3
FR 33335
or FR 33336
or FR 33337
 INTRODUCTION TO FRENCH THEATRE (ELR) (WIC)
or INTRODUCTION TO FRENCH POETRY (ELR) (WIC)
or INTRODUCTION TO FRENCH LITERARY PROSE (ELR) (WIC)
3
French (FR) Upper-Division Elective (30000 or 40000 level) 3
General Electives 6
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
FR 33421 FRENCH CIVILIZATION 3
French (FR) Upper-Division Elective (40000 level) 3
General Electives 9
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
Note: ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview, ACTFL Written Proficiency Test and French Outcomes Assessment Test should be taken during this semester.  
General Electives 15
 Credit Hours15
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Bachelor’s Degree in the French Language – B.A.

Graduates of Kent State’s B.A. in French are well-prepared for careers in education, translation, international relations, and cultural exchange. The program’s comprehensive curriculum, which emphasizes language proficiency, literary analysis, and cultural studies, equips students with the skills to communicate effectively in French-speaking environments.

Students who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in French often pursue roles as French teachers, translators, international business professionals, and cultural ambassadors, contributing to fields such as education, diplomacy, and global communications.

Why We’re Your Choice for a Bachelor of Arts in French

At Kent State, our team is dedicated to providing each student with an immersive and enriching college experience that fully equips them for success in their field. Just some of the advantages of selecting our bachelor’s in French include the following:

  • Networking opportunities – We offer numerous events and workshops throughout the school year to help students connect with like-minded industry professionals, ultimately helping them strengthen their professional networks.
  • Dedicated faculty – From the moment you start your degree to graduation and beyond, you can take pride in knowing that you have a supportive network of faculty and staff in the French department eager to accommodate your academic needs.
  • Career development resources – Our passionate staff also supplies a plethora of campus resources to further assist students as they complete the program. More specifically, these resources can aid students if they want additional career advice or if they’re looking to join a career community.
  • Study abroad options – Through Kent State’s Office of Global Education, students are encouraged to explore a world beyond their comfort zone and expand their academic limits while completing the Bachelor of Arts in French.

Apply to Kent State’s Bachelor’s Degree in the French Language

If you’re ready to pursue your bachelor’s degree in the French language and launch a successful career of your choosing, apply to our distinguished program today. And if you have any questions about the degree or Kent State University, please contact our team, and we would be happy to assist you.

Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary

5.7%

faster than the average

30,600

number of jobs

$69,920

potential earnings

Interpreters and translators

20.0%

much faster than the average

77,400

number of jobs

$52,330

potential earnings

Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

3.8%

about as fast as the average

1,050,800

number of jobs

$62,870

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

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