Skip to main content

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University
Advanced search
Information For...
  • Current Students
  • Parents & Family
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
Quick Links
  • COVID-19
  • Give
  • Maps
  • Employment
  • Library
  • AppalNet
  • AsULearn
  • A-Z
Main Menu
  • Why Choose App?
  • Visit
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Campus Life
  • About
  • Home
  • Academics
  • Undergraduate Programs

Languages, Literatures and Cultures (BA) - French and Francophone Studies

About

Majoring in a world language opens doors to a number of exciting careers and allows you to work and communicate with people from all over the world. French is an official language of the United Nations and an official or national language in more than 30 countries and territories spanning 5 continents, making it a truly global language. As one of the official languages of Canada and a heritage language in Louisiana and elsewhere in the U.S., French is also a local language in much of North America.

By majoring in Languages, Literatures and Cultures (BA) - French and Francophone Studies, you will gain a number of transferable skills that make you attractive to employers. These include excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills, the ability to understand and analyze different cultures and perspectives, flexibility in thinking and adaptability to new environments, collaborative work skills, and the ability to research and synthesize information from a variety of sources. French language skills are useful in careers in business, government and foreign relations. Majoring in a world language is also an excellent idea for students who would like to live and work in other countries.

After Graduation

Employment: World language majors have excellent job prospects after graduation. According to a 2013 study, world language majors with experience had strong rates of employment, particularly compared to other humanities and social sciences majors. Experienced college graduates with a major in world languages had average earnings of $52,000, and graduate degree holders had average earnings of $63,000.

French and Francophone Studies majors find jobs in the Foreign Service, FBI, CIA and NSA; translation and interpretation; travel and tourism; international relations; international business and human resources; journalism, writing and public relations; human rights; and in museums, schools and other educational settings.

Graduate School: Students who choose to continue their education often stay at Appalachian for the Accelerated Master’s Program in Romance Languages. Other students pursue MA and PhD degrees at other universities, or continue on to degrees in law or medicine.

Career Exploration website

People

  • Departmental Video
    Departmental Video

    Meet faculty and students in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Learn how majoring in a world language opens doors to a number of careers and allows you to work and communicate with people from all over the world.

  • Alumna Profile: Emily Sedlacek ’19
    Alumna Profile: Emily Sedlacek ’19

    Emily Sedlacek ’19 combined her two passions — travel and literature — and graduated summa cum laude from Appalachian with dual degrees in English and French. She’s now pursuing a master’s degree in English at Appalachian and says she sees lots of career options.

  • Faculty Profile: Dr. K. Martial Frindéthié
    Faculty Profile: Dr. K. Martial Frindéthié

    “One thing that characterizes most of the students I have worked with…is that they have a sense of purpose. They seem to know what is at stake, and they take ownership of their education. It is rewarding.”

    – French professor Dr. K. Martial Frindéthié, an expert on Francophone Africa

    Meet more faculty

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide
  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Program

  • Languages, Literatures and Cultures (BS) - French and Francophone Studies, Education (K-12)

Minors

A minor is required. Common choices include: Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), Global Studies, Psychology, Anthropology and History.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

  • Pi Delta Phi, Gamma Phi Chapter - Appalachian’s chapter of the national French honors society. It is led by Dr. Darci Gardner. Students are admitted through nomination and must have completed at least one upper-level French course, be at least a sophomore, and meet a minimum GPA requirement.
  • Le Cercle Français - A social and cultural club for students interested in French and French-speaking cultures. For information contact Lynn McNeil.

View all Language and Culture clubs

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

In the last two years, LLC faculty members have led service-learning trips to Costa Rica, Ecuador, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Ghana. Read more

Admission Requirements

Prerequisite placement tests are used to assess incoming student levels of language ability, to better advise them which courses to take and to assist in class level placement.

apply

Apply

visit

Visit

connect

Connect

programs

Degrees

Want to learn more?

Register for Info Session
Costs and Aid

Why Appalachian?

  • The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures offers a variety of courses related to the French language, the French-speaking world, and French and Francophone cultures and literature.
  • The department offers students small class sizes and individualized attention and mentoring. Students have the freedom to choose a course of study that aligns with their personal interests and career goals.
  • Students are encouraged to study abroad and have a variety of programs to choose from, both in France and elsewhere in the French-speaking world.
  • Faculty members include students in their research and frequently present in regional, national and international conferences. Faculty research interests include contemporary and 19th century French literature and culture, the literature and culture of Francophone Africa, post-coloniality, comic discourses in literature and film, and literature and the visual arts.
  • Faculty regularly host immersion weekends where students prepare meals together and engage in other activities, all without the use of English.
  • Students who have a 3.0 GPA or higher and have completed 90+ hours can take 4 classes that count as both undergrad and graduate credit toward a Master’s Degree in Romance Languages.

Location

Boone campus only

Careers

  • Foreign Service
  • FBI
  • CIA
  • NSA
  • Translation and interpretation
  • Travel and tourism
  • International relations
  • International business and human resources
  • Journalism, writing and public relations
  • Health care and social services
  • Human rights
  • Museums
  • Schools and other educational settings

View more career possibilities

Contacts

Dr. Paul Worley
Department Chair
worleypm@appstate.edu
828-262-6709

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

  • Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures

    The Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures offers courses that enhance students’ understanding and appreciation of other cultures and languages as well as their own, making them prepared for lifelong learning in a multicultural world.

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated Master’s program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

    • Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools
    • Federal, State and Local Government
    • Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities
    • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
    • Legal Services
    • Health Care
    • Biotech/Engineering
    • Elementary and Secondary Schools
    • Nonprofit Organizations

Appalachian Cares

It's up to me|us

Appalachian Cares is a place to find resources and support available for our students faculty and staff regarding student health and safety.

  • App State at Hickory
  • Accessibility
  • Bookstore
  • Contact Us
  • Emergency
  • Employment
  • Equal Opportunity Policy
  • Maps
  • Pay Bills
  • Policy Manual
  • Title IX

Connect

Facebook logo Twitter logo Youtube logo Insatgram logo

Connect with Appalachian's social media accounts from university programs, departments and administrative units..

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University

287 Rivers St., Boone, NC 28608 | 828-262-2000 | Copyright 2023 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer | Privacy | Website manager: waterworthae (wycoffdn) | Website feedback