School of Languages and Cultures

scenery of buildings and road in france

French

Master the French language, explore timeless literature and dive into the vibrant traditions of French-speaking regions worldwide. Gain skills that connect you to diverse cultures and new ways of thinking through hands-on learning and global perspectives.

Students currently enrolled in the French major, as well as those entering in Fall 2026, will earn a BA in French. Beginning in Fall 2027, new students will pursue French as a concentration within the World Languages and Cultures major.

PLEASE NOTE: Students applying for Fall 2027, the plan of study for the World Languages and Cultures BA concentration is still being finalized, but it is expected to closely resemble the current French plan of study, which provides a helpful preview of the curriculum. 

The faculty and staff of the French section of the School of Languages and Cultures at Purdue University offer a full range of undergraduate and graduate courses in language, literature, linguistics, second language acquisition, pedagogy, and film. We also have many options for study abroad programs in France, from Spring Break to the full academic year, or semester-long programs.

Undergraduates may opt to major or minor in French. Graduate students pursue either a Master's degree and/or a Ph.D. Our graduate students receive teaching assistantships. We are a vibrant, international team with diverse research, teaching, and social interests.

Beyond the Classroom

  • Events
    • French Café Causette: Every Wednesday afternoon from 3:00-4:00 pm, in the Staaks Lounge, Stanley Coulter, we meet for informal conversation in French, coffee, and French snacks! Everyone is welcome to join us.
    • Cinéasme: Every semester, we select a series of Francophone movies that are shown in French with English subtitles. It can be a source for extra credit for learners of French (see with your instructor), or just a source for discussion after the movie. (Free popcorn will be provided). For more information, follow @Purduelanguages on social media.
  • Organizations
    • Le Club Français: The French Club meets regularly throughout the year and plans a variety of activities for students interested in French beyond the classroom! For more information, please contact the faculty advisor, Professor Paula Leverage, or current club President Isidore white.
    • Pi Delta Phi: The National French Honor Society for undergraduate and graduate students at accredited public and private colleges and universities in the United States. It is the highest academic honor in the field of French and the oldest academic honor society for a modern foreign language in the United States.

Chair for French  | Jessica Sturm

France is not solely about fashion and cuisine; the country is also a leader in science, technology, architecture, and diplomacy. Fluency in French and intercultural literacy can thus lead to careers in business, engineering, hospitality, medicine, the arts, etc. In 2018, French companies created more than 600,000 jobs in the U.S. and almost 30,000 in Indiana alone. To help students develop global perspectives sought by U.S. companies and NGOs over the world, we offer four courses in French for professional purposes.

Professional French courses: These courses can be taken independently or as part of the minor in Business French.

Topics covered in our courses include France’s major industries and companies, understanding and discussing aspects of the French market economy, marketing, intercultural communication in French-American business settings, writing administrative correspondence in French, and applying for internships and jobs in Francophone countries. Our goal is to develop students’ communicative and intercultural skills in a variety of speaking or writing activities toward the use of French for professional purposes.

Professional French at Purdue consists of a selection of courses for professional purposes, beginning after the completion of the fourth semester of French (FR 202: French level 4 or equivalent).

  • FR 224: Professional French Level I
  • FR 323: French For Engineering
  • FR 324: Professional French Level II
  • FR 424: Professional French Level III

For questions about the French for professional purposes courses, please contact Dr. Ana Valero Peña (avalerop@purdue.edu).