Bonjour et bienvenue ! We welcome undergraduates who are considering a major or minor in French, as well as those who simply enjoy learning French and want to experience a bit of French culture here at the University of Alabama. Please explore our site and consider taking a class, contacting a professor, or participating in French activities available on campus, such as the French Club and the French film series.
Some useful resources for undergraduates
Visit the Language Resource Center. Located in 252 B.B. Comer Hall, the LRC provides various media-related services to students learning foreign languages.
Visit the Capstone International Programs site for information on study abroad programs, including the Alabama in France summer program in Tours (located in the heart of the Loire Valley in France). There are also various exchange programs for students who want to spend a semester or academic year studying in France or Belgium.
Major and Minor Requirements: French Track of the Foreign Languages and Literature Major (BA)
Major requirements
Degree and track requirements. Students earning the bachelor of arts (BA) degree with a major in the French Track of foreign languages and literature must complete all University, college (see pp. 52-53), and major requirements. These include the general education requirement, all major and track requirements, all requirements for an approved minor, and sufficient other credits to total a minimum of 120 applicable semester hours.
Admission into the major. See course descriptions for information concerning appropriate placement in French. Students are expected to declare a major formally no later than the fourth semester of full-time enrollment (or at 61 semester hours for transfer students). With the assistance of an advisor in the major department, students should complete the “Declaration of Major” form.
Grade point average. A 2.0 grade point average in the major is required for completion of the degree. The major GPA is calculated based on all courses applicable to the major that the student has attempted at UA.
Major courses. The major in foreign languages and literature requires the successful completion of 33 semester hours in the following:
Courses HoursFR 201 3
FR 202 3
FR 321 3
FR 323 3
FR 421 3
FR 331, FR 361, FR 431, or FR 461* 6
FR 341 and FR 351* 6
FR electives 200 level and above 6
Total 33
*With approval, 3 hours of topic appropriate FR 470 or FR 480 may substitute.
Ancillary courses. Grades in ancillary courses are not computed into the major GPA. The track in French requires the successful completion of the following courses:
Courses HoursFR 101 and FR 102 (or FR 103)* 4–8
*Or proficiency or placement.
Upper-level residency. For all FLL tracks, a minimum of 12 hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be earned on this campus.
Required minor. This major requires the completion of a minor.
Additional major requirements. If students test out of any of the courses required for the major, this does not reduce the total number of credit hours required for the major. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met all University, college, major, and minor requirements. However, each student must meet with an advisor in the major department for academic planning and to be cleared for registration each semester.
Credit options. With the exception of heritage language or bilingual individuals, students placed in intermediate level courses or higher can earn placement credit.
French: Except for heritage language or bilingual individuals, students placed in FR 201 or higher and who earn a grade of “C-” or higher in the course are granted additional credit upon written petition:
Placement Credit received with grade of “Pass”FR 201 FR 103 (4 hours)
FR 202 FR 103 and FR 201 (7 hours)
FR 300- or 400-level FR 103, FR 201, FR 202 (10 hours)
Minor requirements
Admission into the minor. Students are expected to declare a minor formally. With the assistance of an advisor in the minor department, students should complete the “Declaration of Minor” form before or during the third year of full-time enrollment.
Grade point average. A 2.0 grade point average in the minor is required for completion of the degree. The minor GPA is calculated based on all courses applicable to the minor that the student has attempted at UA.
Minor courses. The minor in French requires the successful completion of 18 semester hours:
Courses HoursFR 201 3
FR 202 3
FR 321 or FR 323 3
FR 421 3
FR electives 300 or 400 level 6
Total 18
Upper-level residency. A minimum of 6 hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the minor must be earned on this campus.
Ancillary courses. Grades in ancillary courses are not computed into the minor GPA. The French minor requires the successful completion of the following courses:
Courses HoursFR 101 and FR 102 (or FR 103)* 4–8
*Or proficiency or placement.
Additional minor requirements. If students test out of any of the courses required for the minor, this does not reduce the total number of credit hours required for the minor. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have met all University, college, major, and minor requirements. However, each student must meet with an advisor in the major department for academic planning and to be cleared for registration each semester. College advisors are also available for additional assistance with minor, college, and University requirements.
