Explore the French Language and Culture
The French minor gives you a chance to explore the French language and culture and to enhance what you learn in your major. You can pair this minor with any major or other minor at IUP. Opportunities to study abroad are also available.
Knowing a foreign language is a skill many employers value, so it provides that competitive edge in the job market. French is also one of the five most in-demand languages among US employers.
In this minor, you’ll learn to speak, read, and write in French and to understand the spoken language. You will also gain cultural insights that will make you more competitive in many fields.
Imagine Your Future
There is no typical career path for students who minor in French. However, these skills allow you to thrive in many fields: from the arts, business, communication, consultancy, diplomacy, and education to work in financial institutions or in government or international organizations. Knowing a foreign language can also benefit you in fields from health services, hospitality management, human resources, IT services, journalism, law enforcement, marketing, and media to politics, public relations, retail and sales, security, tourism, trade, and translation and interpretation services. French consistently places in the top 10 for its usefulness in a variety of professional fields.
In addition, almost half of US adults, 49 percent, look back on their education and say they wish they had taken more classes in foreign languages, according to a survey by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Sixty-three percent say it’s important to teach foreign languages to children. Also, a quarter of Americans ages 18 to 29 say they often use a language other than English with family and friends.
Language skills are in high demand among US employers, and that demand is only expected to increase.
According to a survey commissioned by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, nine of 10 US employers rely on employees with skills in languages other than English. Of those employers, 56 percent say their foreign language demand will increase in the next five years.
In addition, 47 percent of US employers have stated a need for language skills exclusively for the domestic market; one in three language-dependent US employers reports a gap in language skills, and one in four US employers reports a loss of business because of a lack of language skills.
Career Opportunities
France is a cosmopolitan, democratic, prosperous country that plays a leading role in the European Union. It is a highly industrialized nation with strong international links. France and the US have many common experiences, values, and interests, and they have strong political, cultural, and economic connections.
According to the French-English print magazine France-Amérique, every American state is home to at least one French company. From well-known brands like Louis Vuitton, Sodexo, and Saint-Gobain to industry giants like Airbus and Michelin, these companies actively contribute to the US economy.
Classes and Requirements
The French Minor gives you the skills to communicate verbally and in writing in this language. You’ll also be able to recognize cultural differences and similarities between France and the United States. This minor can broaden your horizons by letting you explore different perspectives, customs, and traditions. It can also help you become a flexible thinker who can communicate cross-culturally and internationally.
Students in this program will take FRNC 101, 102, 201, 220, and 230, plus several elective French courses at IUP or at another accredited institution in the United States or abroad.
Full Academic Catalog Listing
The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.
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Rebecca Dhrimaj ’06, M’07, French for International Trade, Marketing
One of the reasons I chose IUP was its unique international business major available that combined business courses with foreign language and included a year abroad.
French Club (IUP CAFE)
The French club, also known as IUP Cultural American-French Exchange, or IUP CAFE, is a recognized organization at the university. It meets monthly throughout the fall and spring semesters. This culture-focused club welcomes any member of the IUP community. French language skills are not required to join. Meeting dates and times are determined at the beginning of each semester. The club’s past events have focused on French movies, trivia, history, food, and music, as well as Mardi Gras and more. Contact Jean-Louis Dassier at dassier@iup.edu for more information about the club.
Study Abroad
You have the opportunity to study in France or another French-speaking country through the Office of International Education. You can choose from programs in a variety of cities and of varying lengths. Living and studying abroad allows you to be immersed in a language and culture and to develop a deeper understanding of different perspectives and world views. Learn more through the Office of International Education website or through informational workshops on studying abroad.