Communication Studies Minor
Advantages
Explore digital production, communication theory, and mass media courses that will empower you to effectively communicate across languages.
Outcome
Translator
Undergraduate Major
French Major (BA)
In our French major, you'll gain linguistic and cultural competence through immersive experiences on our vibrant global campus and far beyond.
At a Glance
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Offered as
Major
4+1 Bachelor's + Master's
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore the French Major
Majoring in French at Widener means immersing yourself in the study of French language and culture through discussion-based classes, community engagement opportunities, internships, study abroad, and more.
In the classroom, you'll gain invaluable skills from native and heritage French speakers, guided by professors who will help you harness your foreign language fluency towards your professional goals.
Through strong relationships with Philadelphia institutions like the French-American Chamber of Commerce, you'll have opportunities to engage with Francophone 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.
You'll graduate confident in your ability to navigate between languages and cultures for a fast start and long-term career success in today's global economy.
French Major Program Options
Your French major will begin with either FREN 101, 201, or 301 depending upon your level of previous French language study and/or extended noninstructional exposure to and experience with the language.
As you grow in your conversation and composition skills, you'll have the freedom to select the electives most aligned with your professional and personal goals. You'll also have the flexibility to study abroad and pursue other immersive language experiences before honing all you've learned in a comprehensive senior research project.
Loading... requirements for the French major.
Digital humanities is a rapidly growing, interdisciplinary field that 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.
View curriculum and coursework requirements for the digital humanities specialization.
Passionate about the French language but also interested in pursuing a STEM degree? The global engineering industry demands global engineers, and 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.
Widener's pre-professional pathways give you the flexibility to follow your interests while preparing for a professional career.
French majors can participate in the following pathways:
Take Your French Degree Further
At Widener, you can earn a bachelor's and a master's degree with only one additional year of study—regardless of your chosen major. Through our Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you'll earn your bachelor's of choice and choose from a range of master's degrees that will enhance your job opportunities and prepare you for rapid career growth—all while saving you time and money.
It's never too early to get real-world work experience to set you apart from the crowd and dive deeper into your discipline! Worried about scoring a paid internship? Worry, no more! Widener's Experience MORE! program can help bridge the gap between unpaid or underpaid experiences.
After perfecting your résumé and cover letter with the help of Widener’s Career Design & Development team, you'll work to score an internship and apply for the Experience MORE! program to get the financial support you need to pursue the internship of your dreams. If selected as an awardee, you will receive a grant to subsidize your internship work.
Pair Your French Major with a Minor or Certificate
Career Outlook & Outcomes for French Majors
Why Study French at Widener?
Learn Beyond the Classroom
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.
French majors are also highly encouraged to participate in research projects, double majors, and study abroad opportunities, whether for a week or a semester. We'll help you take your French major wherever you want to go.
Grow Your French Network
Widener is home to a thriving community of international students and cultural immersion experiences. Clubs, organizations, and honor societies allow you the chance to meet new people and nourish your global passions outside of the classroom.
Experience Mentorship & Support From Day One
We want to get to know you and see you succeed. Professors will pay attention to how you learn and what you want to accomplish. Your Personal Student Success Team—faculty and peer mentors and liaisons for campus resources—will make sure your first year runs smoothly.
Without skipping a beat, you’ll have what you need to make Widener your second home. And you’ll know how to invest in the greater community, from professional opportunities in Philadelphia to volunteer experiences in your new backyard.
Lean more about faculty mentorship
Explore resources for academic & career support
Find support for health & wellbeing
Student Stories
Our 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."
Recent News
The Trilingual Advantage Gives These Widener Graduates a Leg Up
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.
A Global Purpose
Widener alumnus leads nonprofit on a mission to support Guinean students
Global Learning
French students participate for second year in program that connects them with Canadian author
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions
Applying to Widener is easy—and free! Simply complete our Widener Application or the Common Application. You'll also need your official high school transcript and either an admissions essay or your SAT/ACT scores. We're a test-optional school, so there's no need to submit both.
Know you're interested in applying to Widener but unsure if you're ready to zero-in on a major? You can apply as an Exploratory Studies student with an undecided major. This program will help you start your college journey on the right foot while you explore which undergraduate program is the right fit for you.
When to Apply
We accept applications on a rolling basis—there are no hard deadlines. Apply when you're ready and we'll take a look as soon as we receive your app.
Key dates to keep in mind:
- October 1: FAFSA opens for the next academic year (Widener's school code is 003313)
- November 1: Early Action deadline and decision notifications begin
What to Expect After Applying
Once we receive your application and all materials, you can expect to hear back from us quickly. Along with your application decision, you'll also find out about any merit-based scholarship awards. You're automatically considered for merit scholarships as soon as you apply—you don't need to apply separately.
If you apply before November 1, you are considered an Early Action applicant which comes with benefits like:
- Receiving your admissions decision by Thanksgiving
- Early consideration for merit-based scholarships
- Early notification of financial aid offers, including need-based awards
- Priority enrollment for summer registration—where you sign up for classes!
All applications are non-binding, so why wait? Apply today!
Our admissions team will help you make the most of college-level credits earned after high school. We maintain strong partnerships and articulation agreements with numerous local community colleges and also accept a wide range of course credits earned at accredited colleges and universities.
Curious about how many credits may transfer? Email your transcripts to transfer@widener.edu and our transfer coordinator will personally review your coursework as an unofficial credit evaluation. Applicants are given priority during busy seasons, but you don't have to apply to work with our transfer coordinator.
Transferring doesn't have to be a guessing game—share your stats and we'll take it from there!
Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.
Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process.
This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.
Financial Aid
Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings an exceptional education within reach. Complete your admissions application today to determine your financial aid package, including scholarships and grants.
Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to getting you the financial assistance to make the cost of college—an investment in your future—affordable. This free, online application is the gateway to grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education offers billions of dollars in financial aid to eligible students. Widener gets in on the action, too, annually awarding aid to students with need.
You and at least one parent or caregiver will need a separate FSA ID to access the Federal Student Aid's online system and serve as your legal signatures. Make sure to create your unique FSA IDs before you get started. Our school code is 003313.
Paths to Savings
95% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid
Nearly 100% of new students receive significant financial aid offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs and make a Widener education not only affordable, but well worth the investment. In fact, once your total financial aid is calculated, the cost of a Widener education is often equal to if not lower than other competitive universities–but with far superior outcomes for your career and earning potential.
The first step to see how much aid you qualify for is submitting the FAFSA.
Scholarships Start at $90,000 Over 4 Years
(including $20,000 per academic year for transfer students)
Funding you don't have to pay back after graduation? That's a win-win! Scholarships and grants are a way for the university and other organizations to honor the academic, merit, and talent-based achievements of our students.
4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition
In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings. During your fifth year of study, you can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships to further reduce education costs. To learn more about graduate scholarships and assistantships, please speak with your academic advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.
Undergraduate Admissions Office
-
Muller Hall
- 888-WIDENER
- admissions.office@widener.edu
Modern Languages Department
-
Freedom Hall, Room 314
- 610-499-1112
- burraca@widener.edu
Stephanie Schechner
Professor of French
-
Freedom Hall
Room 221 - (610) 499-4346
- saschechner@widener.edu