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The French program at UW–Madison offers students opportunities for cultural and literary learning about the French-speaking world through dynamic, in-class experiences and extracurricular components such as the French Club, Pi Delta Phi (the National French Honor Society), the French House (an immersion residence hall and cultural center), and with French and Francophone cultural events in and around Madison.

Students intending to major in French or complete the French certificate enter the program at the appropriate level depending on their language proficiency. If you have previous experience in the French language, please refer to Testing and Evaluation Services to register for the placement test.

The majority of UW–Madison French major or certificate students complete their requirements through a combination of courses taken on campus and abroad with a UW–Madison-sponsored program.

Students have the option to take a class for Honors at almost all levels. For more information, please see the department website and/or consult the undergraduate advisor.

For courses in French literature in translation, see the Literature in Translation course listing.

How to Get in

Requirements Details
How to get in

No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare. For information on how to declare, visit Advising & Careers.
Courses required to get in None
GPA requirements to get in None
Credits required to get in None
Other None

Students declared in the French certificate may not be declared in the French major at the same time. French certificate students who want to switch to the French major, must cancel their French certificate.

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.

General Education
  • Breadth—Humanities/Literature/Arts: 6 credits
  • Breadth—Natural Science: 4 to 6 credits, consisting of one 4- or 5-credit course with a laboratory component; or two courses providing a total of 6 credits
  • Breadth—Social Studies: 3 credits
  • Communication Part A & Part B *
  • Ethnic Studies *
  • Quantitative Reasoning Part A & Part B *

* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements.

College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science (BS)

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The College of Letters & Science allows this major to be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree requirements.

Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements

Mathematics Complete two courses of 3+ credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT subjects. A maximum of one course in each of COMP SCI and STAT subjects counts toward this requirement.
Language Complete the third unit of a language other than English.
L&S Breadth Complete:
• 12 credits of Humanities, which must include at least 6 credits of Literature; and
• 12 credits of Social Science; and
• 12 credits of Natural Science, which must include 6 credits of Biological Science and 6 credits of Physical Science.
Liberal Arts and Science Coursework Complete at least 108 credits.
Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework Complete at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level.
Major Declare and complete at least one major.
Total Credits Complete at least 120 credits.
UW-Madison Experience Complete both:
• 30 credits in residence, overall, and
• 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit.
Quality of Work • 2.000 in all coursework at UW–Madison
• 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UW–Madison

Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major

Non–L&S students who have permission from their school/college to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.

Requirements for the Major

Students pursuing a French major must complete 27 credits beyond FRENCH 204. Only one course taught in English can count towards the French Major.1

Required Courses9
Intermediate Language and Culture
Literature, Comics, and Film in French
Medieval and Early Modern French Literature 2
Modern French and Francophone Literature
Medieval and Early Modern Culture
Modernity Studies
Study Abroad: French/Francophone Literature
Study Abroad: French/Francophone Civilization
Elective Courses18
French Literary and Interdisciplinary Studies 1
Modern and Contemporary Francophone Topics 1
Ethnic Studies in the French/Francophone World(s) 1
Rebellious Women from the Global South 1
Doctors without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) 1
Directed Study
Directed Study
Practical French Conversation
Practical French Conversation
Advanced Composition and Speaking
Advanced Writing Workshop
Professional Communication and Culture in the Francophone World
Contemporary Issues in Business, Government and NGOs
Study Abroad: Advanced French Language
Medieval and Early Modern French Literature
Modern French and Francophone Literature
Visual Culture in French/Francophone Studies
French Fashion and Literature from the Middle Ages to Today 1
Medieval and Early Modern Culture
Modernity Studies
Applied French Language Studies
Study Abroad: French/Francophone Literature
Study Abroad: French/Francophone Civilization
Topics in French: Study Abroad
Readings in Medieval and Renaissance Literature
Readings in Early Modern Literature
African/Francophone Film 1
French/Francophone Literary Studies Across the Centuries
French/Francophone Cultural Studies Across the Centuries
Literature and Medicine in French-Speaking Cultures
French/Francophone Film
Aspects of Contemporary French Literature
Undergraduate Seminar in French/Francophone Literary Studies
Undergraduate Seminar in French/Francophone Cultural Studies
Critical Approaches to Literature and Culture: French and Francophone Perspectives
Introduction to Phonetics
The Age of Reason
17th-Century French Literature
17th-Century Literature
The 20th-Century French Novel
Introduction to Francophone Studies
Topics in Literature and Culture
Senior Honors Thesis
Senior Honors Thesis
Thesis
Thesis
Directed Study
Directed Study
Masterpieces of French Literature and Culture 1
Literature in Translation: Nineteenth-Century French Masterpieces 1
What is Life? Biological Life in Literature and Culture 1
Topics in French Literature and Culture 1
Total Credits27

Residence and Quality of Work

  • 2.000 GPA in all FRENCH and major courses
  • 2.000 GPA on at least 15 credits of upper-level work in the major, taken in residence: (French 300 and higher are considered upper-level in the major)
  • 15 credits in FRENCH taken on campus at UW–Madison

Honors in the Major

Students may declare Honors in the Major in consultation with a French undergraduate advisor. 

Honors in the Major Requirements

To earn Honors in the Major, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:

  • Earn a 3.300 University GPA
  • Earn a 3.500 GPA for all FRENCH courses and all courses counting in the major
  • Complete at least 8 credits, taken for Honors, beyond FRENCH 2713
  • Complete a two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in FRENCH 681 and FRENCH 682, for a total of 6 credits4

Footnotes

1

Only one course taught in English may count toward the French Major.

2

FRENCH 361 and FRENCH 362 are only available to students participating in a study abroad program.

3

Study abroad in France or in another French-speaking country is highly recommended, and the 8 credits taken for Honors can be fulfilled through French courses taken abroad at the appropriate level.

4

In certain circumstances (particularly when the student is an Honors candidate in two or more departments), two courses in literature or cultural studies numbered 500-599 or 600-699 may be substituted for the Senior Honors Thesis.

University Degree Requirements

Total Degree To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements.
Residency Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs.
Quality of Work Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate that they understand and can analyze literary and non-literary texts in French representing a broad spectrum of topics, time periods, and geographical regions (interpretive communication).
  2. Express themselves effectively in spoken and written French to inform, persuade, and narrate for different audiences of listeners, viewers, or readers (presentational communication).
  3. Express themselves effectively in spoken and written French to share information, reactions, and opinions related to a broad spectrum of topics and texts (interpersonal communication).
  4. Recognize and explain cultural artifacts, practices, and perspectives of the French-speaking world including how these cultural elements relate to literary and non-literary texts in French (cultural knowledge).
  5. Demonstrate a good degree of understanding of lexical, grammatical, syntactic, and stylistic features of the French language (linguistic knowledge).
  6. Demonstrate awareness of difference and diversity by comparing and contrasting culturally situated beliefs, behaviors, and norms of the French-speaking world with those found in their own culture (cross-cultural awareness).
  7. Engage in a sustained fashion with the French language, its users, and cultural artifacts in and beyond the classroom, e.g., in their own community, virtual communities, and study abroad (engagement with the French language and culture).

Four-Year Plan

This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FRENCH 2034FRENCH 2044
Communication A3FRENCH 248 (meets Ethnic Studies requirement)3
Social Science Breadth3Social Science Breadth4
Quantitative Reasoning A3Biological Science Breadth3
Electives3 
 16 14
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FRENCH 2283FRENCH 2113
Quantitative Reasoning B4FRENCH 3113
Social Science Breadth3Communication B4
Electives3Physical Science Breadth3
INTER-LS 2101Social Science Breadth3
 14 16
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FRENCH 2713FRENCH 3213
FRENCH/​INTL BUS  3133FRENCH 3483
Science Breadth3Science Breadth3
Electives6Electives6
 15 15
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
FRENCH 3223FRENCH 4653
FRENCH 5903FRENCH 3473
Electives9Electives9
 15 15
Total Credits 120

Advising and Careers

Declare or Cancel This Major

Please follow the process described on the French & Italian webpage.

For information about academic advising including language proficiency, language placement, and retrocredits, please visit our website or schedule an appointment with the undergraduate advisor.

SuccessWorks

SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.

Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.

Resources and Scholarships

French House

La Maison Française, a francophone (French-speaking) residence hall and cultural center, is managed by the Department of French and Italian under the direction of Anne Theobald, PhD. Residence is open to UW–Madison students with the equivalent of a fourth-semester level of French. At least two native French graduate students reside in the house, aiding in conversation and facilitating the use of French. Most residents are Americans: prospective teachers of French, French majors, and students in other disciplines who want to speak French on a daily basis. Applications should be made well in advance.

The French House is open to the public for Wednesday dinner and Friday lunch during the academic year.

Clubs and Activities

The French Club is a registered student organization run by students involved in the French program and open to any and all UW–Madison community members who have an interest in French language and culture. Club members are encouraged to organize and participate in cultural events on campus and in the community. Undergraduates are welcome at scholarly talks and department events on an array of subjects (see department website and the French House website for event details).

Pi Delta Phi is for college and university undergraduate and graduate students. Founded at the University of California, Berkeley in 1906, Pi Delta Phi is the oldest national academic honor society for a foreign language in the United States. The aims of the Society are to recognize outstanding scholarship in the French language and Francophone literatures, to increase the knowledge and appreciation of Americans for the cultural contributions of the French-speaking world, and to encourage and to stimulate French and francophone cultural activities. There are currently more than 400 chapters and over 75,000 members across the United States. The Pi Delta Phi chapter at UW–Madison, Rho Zeta, was founded by Mandi Schoville, MFS and Anne Theobald, PhD in spring 2023 with the first cohort initiated in spring 2024. Students participate in activities and chapter events throughout the academic year. In order to be eligible for undergraduate nomination, UW–Madison undergraduate students must be sophomores, must have completed at least one semester of a 300-level or higher course in French, have a current minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000 and minimum French subject GPA of 3.300. A completed membership form and one-time dues for a lifetime membership are required for admission, for which students receive the Pi Delta Phi pin, certificate, and one set of graduation honor cords in blue, white, and red.