Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in French Studies, offered by the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures, is tailored to students who want to build their French language skills through the intermediate level and deepen their knowledge of French and Francophone cultures as they relate to a different area of study, including but not limited to cinema, literature, history, political science, and art. Interdisciplinary by design, this curriculum gives students the latitude to integrate courses from other departments into their studies, based on their interests. In this way, students can collaborate with others across different degree programs, enjoying a broad scope of ideas and perspectives, while acquiring language skills and following avenues of inquiry in French Studies. Students will achieve a solid foundation in the French language and a comprehensive understanding of the cultures, people, and practices of France and the Francophone world.

Restrictions: Students may not combine this program with the following CLA programs:

• BA in Liberal Studies
• BA in French
• Minor in French
• Minor in French Studies
• Certificate in French

Campus Location: Main

Program Code: LA-FRST-BA

Distinction in Major

To be considered for Distinction in Major, students must:

• Complete the requirements for the major in French Studies with a GPA of at least 3.50;
• Have an overall GPA of at least 3.25.

Study Abroad

Students declaring a major or minor in the department are encouraged to study abroad. Temple University has a summer program at the Sorbonne in Paris. Credits earned through the Temple Sorbonne Program may be used toward the French major, minor, certificate and for satisfaction of the GenEd World Society requirement.

Contact Information

Department Office
532 Mazur Hall
215-204-1760

Patricia Melzer, Department Chair
pmelzer@temple.edu

Laura Spagnoli, Faculty Advisor
laura.spagnoli@temple.edu

TJ Cusack, Administrator
215-204-9209
tjc@temple.edu

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2026-2027. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2026 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Degree Requirements

University Requirements

• MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. The specific courses required for this major are FREN 2096 and FREN 3096.
• Students must complete requirements of the General Education (GenEd) Program. See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.

College of Liberal Arts Requirements

• Completion of a minimum of 123 credits, including:
  • 90 credits in CLA/CST courses;
  • 45 credits of which must be at the upper level (numbered 2000-4999).
    • Distribution Requirement for Humanities majors: Six upper level credits must be earned in the Social Science, Science, and/or interdisciplinary subject areas. Select from the following CLA departments and programs: Africology & African American Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Asian Studies, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity and Human Behavior, Economics, Environmental Studies, Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, Geography and Urban Studies, Global Studies, History, Jewish Studies, Latin American Studies, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies, Liberal Arts, Neuroscience (CLA), Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology, or any department in the College of Science and Technology.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.0, cumulatively, in all CLA/CST coursework, and in the major department.
  • Only courses in which a student receives a grade of at least C- can satisfy GenEd, major, minor, or CLA Foreign Language and Global Studies requirements.
  • Professional Development Requirement
    • All students in the College of Liberal Arts are required to take a 1 credit seminar in professional development. CLA 1002 Professional Development for Liberal Arts Majors is the appropriate course option for this major. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CLA College Requirements page. Only one course in this category may count towards graduation.
  • Foreign Language/Global Studies Requirements:
    • The requirements for the major in French exceed the CLA minimum for this requirement.
    • Notes on Foreign Language Study
      • The third level of language is numbered 1003 in French, Spanish, and Portuguese and numbered 2001 in all other foreign language subjects.
      • Students are strongly encouraged to take the third level of a foreign language as it is the minimum required for election to the prestigious honor society Phi Beta Kappa. (Taking the course does not guarantee admission but not taking it guarantees exclusion.)
      • See the College of Liberal Arts Policies section of this Bulletin for more information on the Foreign Language Placement, Regression in Coursework, and guidelines for students' other experiences with language.

General Electives are typically one-third of a student's program of study and can be focused on a second major, a minor, or towards some other personal enrichment or professional goals. See an academic advisor for assistance in developing an academic plan for these courses.

Major Requirements: Ten courses in French (30 credits)

Prerequisites: FREN 1001 and FREN 1002 with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent placement.

Course levels are incremental in skills and content. Courses must be taken sequentially or in some instances may be taken concurrently. Students who initially place beyond FREN 1003 may begin with FREN 2001 or a course beyond 2001, as appropriate. Students who begin with higher placement will need to substitute with additional courses in French to replace the lower level credits in their program.

¹

All majors must take ten courses. If a specific requirement is fulfilled by placement testing, additional electives in French will be taken to meet the minimum number of courses.

²

The language of instruction for these electives must be French.

³

Students will take four elective courses in French or related topics in any CLA department with the approval of the French faculty advisor. Language of instruction may be French or English.

Suggested Academic Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Bachelor of Arts in French Studies

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2026-2027 Academic Year

¹

May be taken in a related department. See faculty advisor.

²

Language of instruction must be French.