• <a href="/live/image/gid/490/width/650/86390_French_Studies_main_image.jpg" class="lw_preview_image lw_disable_preview" tabindex="-1"><picture class="lw_image lw_image86390"> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(max-width: 500px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/490/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86390_French_Studies_main_image.rev.1607127345.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/490/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86390_French_Studies_main_image.rev.1607127345.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/490/width/500/height/479/crop/1/86390_French_Studies_main_image.rev.1607127345.jpg 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" media="(min-width: 501px)" srcset="/live/image/gid/490/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86390_French_Studies_main_image.rev.1607127345.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/490/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86390_French_Studies_main_image.rev.1607127345.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/490/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86390_French_Studies_main_image.rev.1607127345.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/490/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86390_French_Studies_main_image.rev.1607127345.jpg" alt="Associate Professor of French and French Section Head Philippe Brand leading a class lecture. " width="720" height="690" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/490/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86390_French_Studies_main_image.rev.1607127345.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/490/width/720/height/690/crop/1/86390_French_Studies_main_image.rev.1607127345.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2955" data-max-h="2832" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </a><div class="hero-split_image_caption collapsable-caption"> Associate Professor of French and French Section Head Philippe Brand leading a class lecture. </div>

Why Choose a Degree in French?

Spoken by more than 230 million people, French is an official language of diplomacy for many international organizations, including the European Union, the International Olympic Committee, the Red Cross, and the United Nations. A strong knowledge of French language and culture is an asset to students seeking post-grad careers in education, diplomacy, international business, finance, economics, art, and more.

What You’ll Study

We offer a major and minor in French through the Department of World Languages and Literatures. Our classes are small, focused, and taught by expert faculty. Topics range from French composition and conversation, to major periods in French literature, to examinations of French society during various historical periods.

Many of our students earn course credit on overseas programs. In addition to general cultural programs that are open to all students, there are three language-intensive overseas programs for French: two in France—Paris and Strasbourg—and one in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Outside the classroom, the Keck Interactive Learning Center is a language center and community area that is packed with linguistic and cultural resources. The Global Languages and Cultures Living-Learning Community is a unique on-campus housing option with an immersive language-based focus. Our students are supported each year with a visiting French student from the Institut d’Études Politiques who teaches our conversation courses and offers tutoring support.

Curriculum

Complement Your Education With One of These Minors

The most popular minors for our French studies majors are English, history, and political science.


What Students Are Saying About Lewis & Clark

  • The thing that I find most interesting about the International Affairs Department is the level of care that professors show you and the lengths these educators and staff are willing to go for each student. Our small class sizes allow each student to form a personal relationship with professors, which is extremely valuable!

    John Mbanda BA ’25
    International Affairs | French Studies | Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Rwanda
    More about John
  • Besides having a beautiful campus, Lewis & Clark is a wonderful place to get to learn.

    Annabelle Samson BA ’27
    Environmental Studies | French Studies | Olympia, Washington
    More about Annabelle
  • As an aspiring anthropologist, my externship provided me with valuable insights into the consulting industry and unveiled my potential in this field. 

    Nicolas Wilson BA ’24
    Sociology and Anthropology, French Studies | Cusco, Peru
    More about Nicolas

What Can You Do With a Degree in French?

Our alumni use their BA in French in a variety of endeavors. In addition to receiving Fulbright and other grants to teach English or do research in French-speaking countries, our students pursue careers in teaching, academia, cultural exchange, law, and other fields.

Dedicated Faculty

Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.

Meet the Professors

  • Top 

    Lewis & Clark earned a spot on Princeton Review’s 2024 “Best Colleges” list.

  • Value 

    Lewis & Clark is on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023–24 “Best Value Schools” list.

  • 12:1 

    Lewis & Clark College has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1.

  • Top 

    For the seventh time in 10 years, Lewis & Clark has been named a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Top Producing Institution for 2023–24.

  • 29+33 

    Lewis & Clark offers 29 majors and 33 minors.

Invest in Yourself

A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate with their bachelor of arts degree in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition.

Find Your People

Our student-led French Club gathers French speaking students from all over campus and offers a wide variety of activities including conversation groups, movies, karaoke, performances, and game nights in French. One of the oldest journals at L&C, Polyglot gives the opportunity to students of all levels to publish their work in French.


Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You

  • The most important thing I learned at L&C is communication. Communication is the way to express myself, and to know a little more about myself. Also, it is a way to cooperate with others.

    Aijia Duanmu BA ’18
    French Studies
    More about Aijia
  • L&C prepared me to be a confident applicant for grad school, and my experiences will guide me to be poised, knowledgeable, and self-reliant.

    Mila Wolpert BA ’19
    History and French Studies (double) | Santa Monica, California
    More about Mila
  • My education at Lewis & Clark allowed me to build the foundation to reach this height in my career as a young professional, and supported me in my belief that I could achieve it.

    Hannah Singleton BA ’21
    Sociology and Anthropology; French Studies | Corvallis, Oregon
    More about Hannah

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