A major in French will provide you with proficiency in the use of the French language. Small classes and a dynamic teaching staff will take you to the heart of one of the world’s richest civilizations. The cultures of France, Québec and the countries of French-speaking Africa and the Caribbean all use the French language to express astonishing diverse social, literary and cultural identities. Since language is crucial to the understanding of history and culture, your core courses will introduce you to stylistics, advanced grammar, literary translation—and to the literature of the French-speaking world.
Our curriculum offers interdisciplinary strengths in women’s writing, literary translation, eco-criticism, comparative literature, creative writing, and women’s and gender studies. Beyond that, dive deep into innovative culture classes on the French conception of the body, for instance, or on avant-garde trends in French art and music, giving you the chance to look at French society from an entirely different point of view.
Academics + Experience = Opportunities
Complement academic preparation with experiential learning, creating more opportunities after graduation. Talk to an academic advisor and a career coach about making the most of your time at Nebraska.
Four-year success plan
What to do each year
Catalog
Major requirements and courses
Printable summary
With sample four-year schedule
Transferrable Career Skills
- Analyze and interpret difficult texts
- Communicate confidently and appropriately with individuals of different cultures
- Contextualize political, social, and historical events
- Gain global perspective and high levels of intercultural awareness
- Communicate clearly using different forms of writing to and for a variety of different audiences
- Develop a strong awareness of self and others
- Evaluate the interrelatedness of events and ideas
- Provide a creative, inquisitive approach to problem-solving
- Use various methods of literary analysis
Experience
Experience is valuable and goes beyond the classroom. We strive to help you connect your academics with research, internships, education abroad, service learning and leadership experiences in French, such as:
- Interning with the Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast
- Learn more about internships
- Researching the digitization of family archives
- Learn more about undergraduate research
- Studying abroad in Montpellier in southern France, minutes from the Mediterranean coast
- Learn more about education abroad
- Serving as the French Club president
- Learn more about getting involved in student organizations
- Volunteering at Lincoln Literacy to help native French speakers learn English
- Learn more about service learning
Opportunities
As a French major you will receive a broad general education making you an attractive candidate for a wide range of career opportunities. When combined with interest areas, you will be equipped for pursuing a career in areas such as government service, business, the travel industry, journalism, law or health care.
Examples of Alumni Careers
- Assistant Account Manager, Facts Management
- Community Health Extensionist, Peace Corps
- English Teaching Assistant, French Consulate
- Intelligence Analyst, BAE Systems/R2G
- International Application Coder in Admission, Penn State University
- Manager of the Language Lab, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Network Engineer, Softbank
- Secondary English Teaching Assistant, TAPIF
- Senior Site Specialist, International Studies Abroad (ISA)
- Teaching Assistant, French Ministry of Education
Examples of Graduate Schools Attended by Alumni
- Master's Degree Modern Languages and Literature, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Juris Doctorate, Ohio State University
- Bachelor's Degree, Nursing, Creighton University
- Master's Degree, French, Virginia Tech
- Master's Degree, Museum Studies, North Carolina State University
- Master's Degree, Linguistics, University of Potsdam
- Master's Degree, European Studies, University of Wisconsin
- Master's Degree, Modern Languages, University College Dublin
- Master's Degree, Business Administration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Master's Degree, French, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
“I loved all of my French classes, and decided I wanted to continue with it past the minimum of four semesters!”
Madison Sides
French at Nebraska
French is a humanities major in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Our liberal arts degrees provide a broad education across the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, preparing students for a variety of careers.
Let curiosity move you.
Contact Us
Academic and Career Advising Center
107 Oldfather Hall
402-472-4190
casadvising@unl.edu