“On the French maymester, I realized that what we learned in class truly applies to French citizens today. One of my favorite assignments was to interview a resident of Saint Malo. My group chose to talk to a waitress about stereotypes and how mistaken others can be about a culture.”-
– Isabella Diez, Class of 2019
In High Point University’s French program, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue your passion for French through communicative courses on campus, in collaboration with your peers in French related student clubs and activities, and abroad through study in a semester or year-long program in a Francophone country or on a faculty-led trip during the month of May. The curriculum allows students to develop their fluency in speaking, reading, and writing French as they learn more about the countries and cultures that make up the Francophone world. In addition to courses that focus on grammar and composition, students explore a wide variety of topics, including translation, French culture and politics today, French history, contemporary film, creative writing in French, and the rich culture of French comics and graphic novels. Paired with their proficiency in the French language, this course of study provides students with a more nuanced understanding of the Francophone world and offers them access to a more complex and more fulfilling interaction with native speakers of French across the globe. Many students combine their major or minor in French with another course of study, including International Business, International Relations, Communications, and Psychology, among others. By majoring or minoring in French, you’ll be part of a rich multilingual community that values cultural exchange, diversity, and global community.
Get Involved
The French Club
Pi Delta Phi, The National French Honor Society
Why major in French?
French is the only language spoken on every continent other than English and is spoken by more than 274,000,000 people worldwide. France is the world’s fifth largest economy, the third-ranking destination for foreign investment, and is ranked as the most important business language after English and Chinese. Indeed, the United States exports to more countries where French is a national language than to countries with any other national language. French has long been recognized as the language of fine cuisine, fashion, and the fine arts, is the second-most taught language after English across five continents, and has long been the language of diplomacy, as it is among the primary languages of the U.N., the E.U., U.N.E.S.C.O., and N.A.T.O. In addition to the documented salary increase learning French can bring, translation and interpretation are among the top five fastest growing careers.
In addition to introductory and intermediate language classes that focus on preparing students for the interactions and conversations they’ll have in everyday life, HPU offers a streamlined and modernized curriculum to challenge students to think carefully and critically about cultures, legacies, history, and literature. French majors and minors at High Point University benefit from small class sizes, increased personal attention from faculty, and a curriculum that seeks to prepare them equally for the workplace as for graduate study. Moreover, the French program fosters a strong sense of community – one of the most frequently cited strengths of the program by former students.
While many alumni have pursued graduate study in fields such as French, international affairs, international business, international development, education administration, politics and teaching
english to speakers of other languages, others have chosen to go directly into the work environment.
Featured Graduate Profile:

Savannah Stoughton, ’19 – Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF)
“My most impactful mentors at HPU were Dr. Benoît Leclercq and Dr. Virginia Leclercq. They are the most encouraging, inspirational teachers I have ever had, and were the reason I decided to pursue a French major at HPU. They helped me realize the importance of considering the global world, and how studying a language is an extremely rewarding and useful experience. They are both so up to date with the world our age group lives in, and they make learning fun and relatable for college students. They always gave me assignments that I could relate to.”
DANA MEREDITH MOORE (Class of 2012) French and Graphic Design: Interned while a student with French Heritage Furniture in High Point as a graphic designer, administrative assistant, and
French-speaking correspondent to their furniture production team in France. She works in Kernersville doing marketing and graphic design for Tops and Trends, the largest Certified Automotive
Restyler in the Southeast. She continues to work on a freelance basis for French Heritage Furniture.
JILLIAN LEAHY (Class of 2013) International Business with a French minor: Was awarded a job through the French Ministry of Education to teach English to high school students in Châteaudun in the
Loire Valley in France.
CATHERINE BAKEWELL (Class of 2017) Spanish with a minor in French: Catherine was awarded a position teaching English as part of the Teaching Assistant Program in France. She plans to pursue graduate
study in Comparative Literature, with a specialization in French and Spanish.
ZACH BONVALLET (Class of 2017) International Business with an emphasis in French: Zach is a Sales Analyst at First Data Corporation.
ENIYE AIMIENOHO (Class of 2018) Psychology with a minor in French: Eniye is pursuing a Masters in Mental Health Counseling at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
LINDSEY EDWARDS (Class of 2019) French and Communications: is pursuing a Masters in Communication Management at Towson University.
ERICA SCHIMMEL (Class of 2019) French, International Relations, Political Science, and Economics: Received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program English Teaching Assistantship in Moldova
ALEC CAMPBELL (Class of 2019) French and Psychology is pursuing a Masters degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at George Mason University.
SAVANNAH STOUGHTON (Class of 2019) French: was selected to participate in the prestigious Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF), where she will be living and working in Bordeaux.
The Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures offers the B.A. in French and Francophone Studies. To graduate from High Point University with this degree, students must complete the following:
B.A. in French and Francophone Studies
Major Requirements |
36 credits |
University Core Requirements |
50 credits |
Electives |
40 credits |
TOTAL
|
126 credits
|
Requirements for a B.A. in French & Francophone Studies (36 credits):
A. Core (20 credits)
FRE 2020. Intermediate French (4)
FRE 2130. Readings in French and Grammar Review (4)
FRE 3200. Introductory Literature Survey (4)
FRE 4010. Advanced Grammar and Composition (4)
FRE 4990. Seminar in French Topics (4), OR Experiential Learning (4) OR Study Abroad
Experiential Learning Option
MFL 4810, a 4-credit internship experience related to the student’s major course
of study undertaken during the senior year. Credit is subject to departmental approval.
Study Abroad Option
A semester-abroad program in a French-speaking country undertaken in the junior or senior year. Hours used to fulfill this requirement may not satisfy other requirement in the major.
B. Literature and Civilization (8 credits)
Choose one of the following literature courses:
FRE 3210. Pre-Revolutionary French Literature (4)
FRE 3220. Literature of the Enlightenment and Revolutions (4)
FRE 3330. Modern and Contemporary French Literature (4)
FRE 3400. Francophone Voices (4)
AND one of the following civilization courses:
FRE 3030. Culture and Civilization of France (4)
FRE 3040. France Today (4)
FRE 3080. Francophone Cultures Outside of France (4)
1The prerequisite for French 2020 is French 2010 or equivalent placement.
C. Electives (8 credits)
Choose two of the following courses:
FRE 3000. Conversation and Pronunciation (4)
FRE 3150. Contemporary French Culture through Film (4)
FRE 3180. Business French (4)
FRE 3600. Creative Writing in French (4)
FRE 4444. Independent Study (4)
FRE 4500. Translation and Interpretation (4)
FRE 4810-4815. Student Internship (4)
FRE 2881, 3881, or 4881. Special Topics (4)
Any Civilization course not selected under section B above.
Any Literature course not selected under section B above.
Any other 3000-4000-level French course not selected under section B.
A French GBS course (3750 or 3780 )
A French Studies course (HST 3106. The French Revolution and Napoleon, ART 2888 . Art in Europe, or ENG 4500. Critical Theory).
A French Studies course taken through an approved study abroad program in a French-speaking country.
Note: The major requires 32 credits is a student begins at a level higher than French 2020.
Students are encouraged to continue their study of foreign language through a semester or a year abroad. Home-stay options are available for an intensive language study. Students should begin planning with their academic advisor early in their sophomore year. Additionally some short-term faculty-led programs (Maymesters) are available.