French and Francophone Studies
Bienvenue!
As a language that is spoken on five continents and in over fifty countries, French opens up the world to you for your educational, professional, and leisure opportunities. It is one of the major languages of culture, commerce, international relations, and diplomacy. In the French program at CSULB, you will learn real-world proficiency and socio-cultural competency; beyond that, students of French learn essential critical thinking skills, analytical reasoning, and adaptability. The ability to speak both English and French is an asset that can help you find a job with many multi-national companies that use French as their working language in sectors as varied as tourism, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, fashion, luxury goods, automotive, aeronautics, energy, transport, defense. Whatever career path you choose, studying French will prepare you to face the challenges and opportunities of the job market in this increasingly globalized world.
Why French @ The Beach
You will be welcomed into an active community that likes to have fun while exploring multiple dimensions of culture, literature, and, of course, language. You will enjoy:
SMALL CLASS SIZES. Classes in French average under 20 students
PERSONALIZED ATTENTION. You’ll get to know every faculty member and student in the department. We’re big enough for a wide range of interests, but small enough to form a real community.
FRENCH FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS. If you are a Spanish speaker, you can learn French faster, since they are related languages sharing the same roots. We offer targeted elementary instruction in French For Spanish Speakers.
THE OPPORTUNITY TO EASILY DOUBLE-MAJOR OR MINOR. French pairs perfectly as a double major or minor to dozens of other academic programs at The Beach: Linguistics, International Studies, Art History, Political Science (Global Politics track), Music, Business, Journalism, Mathematics, Economics, other languages...even the sciences.
PREPARATION FOR ANY JOB. Not just ones focused on French but also in a wide variety of other fields like international business, publishing, finance, education, and the arts.
HONOR SOCIETY. Eligible students can become inductees of Zeta Theta, the CSULB chapter of the National French Honor Society, Pi Delta Phi.
STUDY ABROAD. Ready for a life-changing experience? We have year-long programs through CSUIP in France (Paris and Aix-en-Provence), semester-long direct exchange programs in France (Paris and Rouen) and Switzerland (Lausanne). If you prefer another Francophone destination with a private provider (Morocco, Senegal, and beyond), we will work with you to figure out your transfer credit. Plus, we have lots of scholarship funds designated for students in our program.
THE BEST OF THE BEACH IN ONE DEPARTMENT. Our program is housed in the most vibrant department in the College of Liberal Arts, with more Student Clubs and intellectual and social events than free time on your calendar!
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. Long Beach is located at the southern tip of Los Angeles County and sits—as its name suggests—along the Pacific. There’s surf, sun and sand galore, along with many regional parks, cultural venues, and sporting events happening year-round (including hosting four events during the 2028 Olympics!).
M.A. IN FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE STUDIES
The Master of Arts in French and Francophone Studies provides advanced knowledge of French and Francophone literature, its history, and major writers and works, combined with the aims and methods of scholarly research in the field. While some of our MA graduates go on to doctoral study in literature, others pursue careers in education, translation, international brand or event management, public health, development, and business.
- 30 unit degree
- limited number of Teaching Associate positions available to qualified candidates
- training in language pedagogy provided
- study abroad opportunities
- teaching exchange opportunity at the University of Rouen (France)
Questions? Contact the French Graduate Advisor.
French & Francophone Studies MA useful links:
MA in French & Francophone Studies Application Form
French MA Course Planning Sheet
MA French and Francophone Studies Exam Reading List
MA French and Francophone Studies Concepts & Sample Questions
B.A. IN FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE STUDIES
RGRLL's French and Francophone Studies program offers classes in spoken and written French, cinema, translation, phonetics, literature and culture through small, highly interactive classes. Films and special events showcase the literatures and cultures of French-speaking world regions. Students in the program are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a summer, a semester, or a full year. There are quality affordable programs at the CSU level and through campus exchange programs.
This major requires 35 upper-division units in French and 2 years of a second foreign language (you may test out of this requirement if you have intermediate proficiency in another language).
Students who choose to major in French and Francophone Studies find many career opportunities open to them. Recent graduates have gone on to the credential program, law school or business school, to work for the U.S. State Department, and some continue their graduate studies in French. Whatever career appeals to you, proficiency in French will assuredly be an advantage.
Some Careers Our Graduates Have Pursued:
- Communications, Digital Media, Public Relations
- Translation
- Linguistics
- Marketing
- Diplomacy and foreign service
- Post-secondary and secondary education
- International student advisement
- International trade
- International relations
- Broadcast and print journalism
- Federal civil service
BA in French & Francophone Studies Advising Checklist
Questions? Contact the French Undergraduate Advisor.
B.A. IN FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE STUDIES INTERDISCIPLINARY OPTION
RGRLL houses the first interdisciplinary BA in French and Francophone Studies in the CSU. This program allows you to combine your interests in French and Francophone cultures with the study of another discipline that interests you (eg., International Studies, Art History, etc.). Students in the program are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a summer, a semester, or a full year. There are quality affordable programs at the CSU level and through campus exchange programs.
BA in French & Francophone Studies Interdisciplinary Option Advising Checklist
Questions? Contact the French Undergraduate Advisor.
MINOR IN FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE STUDIES
Students may earn a minor in French & Francophone Studies by completing 18 upper-division units with a C or better. FREN 312 (6 units) required + 12 units of electives
Minor in French and Francophone Studies Advising Checklist
Questions? Contact the French Undergraduate Advisor.
FRENCH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATE
Students may earn a certificate in French & Francophone Studies by completing 12 units, of which 9 must be at the upper-division units with a C or better. FREN 312 (6 units) and FREN 314 required. If you enter the certificate directly at the upper-division, you must take 3 units of electives to reach the 12 unit threshold. Students must pass a commercial, externally administered oral proficiency test.
Questions? Contact the French Undergraduate Advisor.
USEFUL LINKS
University Catalog: French and Francophone Studies
Teaching Credential: Single Subject Credential Program: Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
Other Useful Links:
- Teaching Assistantship Program in France (TAPIF)
- BNF Gallica
- BNF Dossiers pédagogiques
- TLFi (Trésor de la langue française informatisé) – online dictionary
- Dictionnaires et Encyclopédie Larousse
- Base de français médiéval
- Literature of the French Middle Ages
- The Renaissance in Print
- CESAR (Calendrier électronique des spectacles sous l’Ancien Régime et sous la Révolution): site sur le théâtre français du XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles
- Ressources sur le dix-neuvième siècle
- LIMAG (Littératures du Maghreb)
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Fabula: La recherche en littérature
- L’Institut national de l’audiovisuel
- RFI Savoir: apprendre et enseigner le français
You will be welcomed into an active community that likes to have fun while exploring multiple dimensions of culture, literature, and, of course, language. You will enjoy:
SMALL CLASS SIZES. Classes in French average under 20 students
PERSONALIZED ATTENTION. You’ll get to know every faculty member and student in the department. We’re big enough for a wide range of interests, but small enough to form a real community.
FRENCH FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS. If you are a Spanish speaker, you can learn French faster, since they are related languages sharing the same roots. We offer targeted elementary instruction in French For Spanish Speakers.
THE OPPORTUNITY TO EASILY DOUBLE-MAJOR OR MINOR. French pairs perfectly as a double major or minor to dozens of other academic programs at The Beach: Linguistics, International Studies, Art History, Political Science (Global Politics track), Music, Business, Journalism, Mathematics, Economics, other languages...even the sciences.
PREPARATION FOR ANY JOB. Not just ones focused on French but also in a wide variety of other fields like international business, publishing, finance, education, and the arts.
HONOR SOCIETY. Eligible students can become inductees of Zeta Theta, the CSULB chapter of the National French Honor Society, Pi Delta Phi.
STUDY ABROAD. Ready for a life-changing experience? We have year-long programs through CSUIP in France (Paris and Aix-en-Provence), semester-long direct exchange programs in France (Paris and Rouen) and Switzerland (Lausanne). If you prefer another Francophone destination with a private provider (Morocco, Senegal, and beyond), we will work with you to figure out your transfer credit. Plus, we have lots of scholarship funds designated for students in our program.
THE BEST OF THE BEACH IN ONE DEPARTMENT. Our program is housed in the most vibrant department in the College of Liberal Arts, with more Student Clubs and intellectual and social events than free time on your calendar!
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. Long Beach is located at the southern tip of Los Angeles County and sits—as its name suggests—along the Pacific. There’s surf, sun and sand galore, along with many regional parks, cultural venues, and sporting events happening year-round (including hosting four events during the 2028 Olympics!).
The Master of Arts in French and Francophone Studies provides advanced knowledge of French and Francophone literature, its history, and major writers and works, combined with the aims and methods of scholarly research in the field. While some of our MA graduates go on to doctoral study in literature, others pursue careers in education, translation, international brand or event management, public health, development, and business.
- 30 unit degree
- limited number of Teaching Associate positions available to qualified candidates
- training in language pedagogy provided
- study abroad opportunities
- teaching exchange opportunity at the University of Rouen (France)
Questions? Contact the French Graduate Advisor.
French & Francophone Studies MA useful links:
MA in French & Francophone Studies Application Form
French MA Course Planning Sheet
MA French and Francophone Studies Exam Reading List
MA French and Francophone Studies Concepts & Sample Questions
RGRLL's French and Francophone Studies program offers classes in spoken and written French, cinema, translation, phonetics, literature and culture through small, highly interactive classes. Films and special events showcase the literatures and cultures of French-speaking world regions. Students in the program are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a summer, a semester, or a full year. There are quality affordable programs at the CSU level and through campus exchange programs.
This major requires 35 upper-division units in French and 2 years of a second foreign language (you may test out of this requirement if you have intermediate proficiency in another language).
Students who choose to major in French and Francophone Studies find many career opportunities open to them. Recent graduates have gone on to the credential program, law school or business school, to work for the U.S. State Department, and some continue their graduate studies in French. Whatever career appeals to you, proficiency in French will assuredly be an advantage.
Some Careers Our Graduates Have Pursued:
- Communications, Digital Media, Public Relations
- Translation
- Linguistics
- Marketing
- Diplomacy and foreign service
- Post-secondary and secondary education
- International student advisement
- International trade
- International relations
- Broadcast and print journalism
- Federal civil service
BA in French & Francophone Studies Advising Checklist
Questions? Contact the French Undergraduate Advisor.
RGRLL houses the first interdisciplinary BA in French and Francophone Studies in the CSU. This program allows you to combine your interests in French and Francophone cultures with the study of another discipline that interests you (eg., International Studies, Art History, etc.). Students in the program are strongly encouraged to study abroad for a summer, a semester, or a full year. There are quality affordable programs at the CSU level and through campus exchange programs.
BA in French & Francophone Studies Interdisciplinary Option Advising Checklist
Questions? Contact the French Undergraduate Advisor.
Students may earn a minor in French & Francophone Studies by completing 18 upper-division units with a C or better. FREN 312 (6 units) required + 12 units of electives
Minor in French and Francophone Studies Advising Checklist
Questions? Contact the French Undergraduate Advisor.
Students may earn a certificate in French & Francophone Studies by completing 12 units, of which 9 must be at the upper-division units with a C or better. FREN 312 (6 units) and FREN 314 required. If you enter the certificate directly at the upper-division, you must take 3 units of electives to reach the 12 unit threshold. Students must pass a commercial, externally administered oral proficiency test.
Questions? Contact the French Undergraduate Advisor.
University Catalog: French and Francophone Studies
Teaching Credential: Single Subject Credential Program: Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
Other Useful Links:
- Teaching Assistantship Program in France (TAPIF)
- BNF Gallica
- BNF Dossiers pédagogiques
- TLFi (Trésor de la langue française informatisé) – online dictionary
- Dictionnaires et Encyclopédie Larousse
- Base de français médiéval
- Literature of the French Middle Ages
- The Renaissance in Print
- CESAR (Calendrier électronique des spectacles sous l’Ancien Régime et sous la Révolution): site sur le théâtre français du XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles
- Ressources sur le dix-neuvième siècle
- LIMAG (Littératures du Maghreb)
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- Fabula: La recherche en littérature
- L’Institut national de l’audiovisuel
- RFI Savoir: apprendre et enseigner le français