Discover a vibrant global community on campus and beyond when you major in French. You'll gain linguistic and intercultural competence through immersive experiences tailored to your personal and professional goals.
Immerse yourself in the study of French language and culture through community engagement, internships, and study abroad programs. At Widener, a French degree can take you anywhere.
In the classroom, you'll gain invaluable skills from native and heritage French speakers, guided by professors who will help you identify and achieve your goals.
With strong relationships with Philadelphia institutions like the French-American Chamber of Commerce, you'll have opportunities to engage with the French culture in our own backyard. Want to jet-set even farther? Travel to established study-abroad programs in France and Canada, or work with a faculty member to find a new program in any French-speaking country that's right for you.
Complete with an independent senior research project, your French education will prepare you for a fast start and long-term career success in today's global economy.
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Widener's pre-professional pathways gives you the flexibility to follow your interests while preparing for a professional career.
French majors can participate in the following pathways:
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Digital humanities is a rapidly growing, interdisciplinary field that incorporates new tools and methodologies for pursuing modes of inquiry and producing forms of scholarship and engagement in the humanities. It seeks to apply humanistic reasoning and research to important questions related to technology, such as social sustainability, big data, and privacy. Work in digital humanities includes public humanities, data mining/visualization, web design, textual analysis, educational technology, and ethics and technology. The concentration in digital humanities is open to all humanities majors.
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Passionate about the French language but also interested in pursuing a STEM degree? The global engineering industry demands global engineers. Through Widener’s international engineering program, you’ll gain the real-world experience you need to meet the demand. As you simultaneously study mechanical engineering and French, you’ll establish an international perspective that will put you on the inside track to a global engineering career.
Our points of pride not only designate us as top-tier university—they also demonstrate the resources and connections we offer that lead students to successful, rewarding careers.
Philadelphia's historic connections to France make it the perfect place to expand what you learn in the classroom. You can volunteer with French-speaking immigrants at the Upper Darby Welcome Center, intern at the Quebec Trade Office in Philadelphia, and explore cultural connections through an architectural tour or restaurant trip.
Customize your academic journey to fit your needs. Faculty will help you find internships and create civic engagement opportunities to support your career goals. You'll also have the chance to join a summer research program, double major/minor in anything from psychology to international relations and beyond, and study abroad.
With language classes capped at 18 students, you'll become a part of a supportive learning community while still receiving individualized attention. Through cultural immersion trips and engagement with international clubs on campus, your professors and peers will soon become your second family.
Our professors invest in your success through close mentoring and continual feedback. Get to know our French faculty.
"I believe that studying French should not be an end in itself, but rather a means to connecting with others around the world. Studying language, literature, and culture requires a willingness to grow as both student and instructor seek to understand people from other countries and from other times."
These trilingual Widener graduates have tapped into language programs and international clubs and services to help secure internships and other opportunities that will give them an advantage on the job market.
Widener alumnus leads nonprofit on a mission to support Guinean students
French students participate for second year in program that connects them with Canadian author
Learning French puts you on the inside track to nearly all careers, as bilingualism and cultural competency are highly-prized skills in today's global economy. With language skills plus international experiences, you'll prepare for a fast start and long-term career success.
Hear from our students about their experience in the French program.
I am very fortunate to have come to this country and received one of the best educations. My mindset now is ‘how can I give that type of opportunity to others back home in Guinea?’
Freedom Hall, Room 221