Bachelor of Arts in French
Department
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
College
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Overview of the program
The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures supports the University's educational, economic, and cultural mission by nurturing the life-changing experience of contact with foreign cultures. Fundamental to this mission is the belief that language and communication skills are essential to students' success in an increasingly global society.
The Department aims to provide:
- High-quality instruction.
- Authentic cultural interaction through short-term and long-term (semester and year-long) study abroad programs, internships in local companies of international reach, and other cultural opportunities on- and off-campus.
- Linguistic and cultural expertise in support of the university as a whole, local and regional schools, and the wider community.
- A broad range of scholarly work.
The Bachelor of Arts in French requires 121-126 credit hours, including thirty (30) semester hours in advanced courses (300 and above) in French. Students enrolled in FLAN courses will study the language in which they are pursuing their degree. French majors are strongly encouraged to participate in study abroad.
French majors are required to have a minor. They may earn minors within the department in the following languages: German, Italian, Latin, and Spanish. Each of these minors requires 21 hours. The department also offers three interdisciplinary minors: Minor in Francophone and Creole Ethnic Studies; Minor in Hispanic Ethnic Studies; and Minor in Native American Studies. Each of these minors require 18 hours. Multiple minors are possible.
Qualified French majors may elect to pursue the Honors Diploma in French or any of the other Honors Program curriculum paths.
Entrance into Foreign Language Courses
Students who have taken two or more years of foreign language in high school or have grown up speaking a language other than English may seek entrance into foreign language courses numbered 102, 201, 202, and advanced level (300 and above) by receiving a passing grade on the appropriate departmental entrance test. These tests are offered at designated times during registration period. Tests at each level in each language may be taken only once by a given student. Entrance tests are not credit exams and carry absolutely no academic credit. A student who is permitted to enter a course above the 101 level on the basis of entrance testing may receive a grade of “P” in the course(s) he or she is permitted to skip over, if and when the student receives a passing grade in the course into which entrance has been permitted.
Strengths of the program
- Hailing from cultures all around the world, our faculty is our principal strength, having native speakers in every language we teach. Our faculty takes a caring and personal interest in their students, striving to provide an overall positive learning experience.
- Our faculty is collegial and exhibits a strong desire for collaboration with and support of each other's pedagogical and research projects. We often interact in our teaching and research.
- Our faculty are well-trained, highly qualified, recognized both nationally and internationally, and represent a variety of disciplines ranging from technological and educational areas of expertise to literary research and linguistic fields in foreign languages.
- Our students often combine majors in other areas with language study. This gives them an edge when entering the job market or applying to graduate or law schools.
- Many of our courses are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels to afford graduate students from other departments an opportunity to further the language component of their degree. We also offer special purposes classes, such as business French and Spanish, Latin for medical personnel, and Spanish for health professionals.
- Our department possesses a state-of-the-art computer lab which enables students to experience cutting-edge applications in laboratory technology.
- Our study-abroad programs have been in highly successful operation for over 30 years. We have programs to several countries around the world.
- Excellent student achievements are recognized annually by invitation to be inducted as members of our own local chapter (Zeta Alpha) of the national foreign language honor society, Phi Sigma Iota.
Preparing for a job in the program
In our highly competitive world, firms are looking for candidates who can adapt quickly to new and difficult situations, and are willing to travel and perhaps work in a foreign office. Experiences abroad will put new graduates at the front of the line when it comes to seeking a first full-time international assignment. Speaking a foreign language combined with experiences abroad are always a plus when the job hunt starts after graduation.
- Become global.
- Take advantage of opportunities.
- Make connections.
Careers in the program
We believe that all students following Southeastern's many career paths will benefit both professionally and personally from the knowledge of a second language and the increased cultural sensitivity our program provides. Health professionals, law enforcement agents, travel agents, social workers, and those pursuing careers in international business are just a few examples of fields in which students with a minor in Foreign Languages and Literatures will have a decided edge. Our majors find employment after graduation in the following fields:
- Communications
International telephone operator
Foreign news correspondent and photographer
Translator of documents, books, articles, technical instructions
Advertiser for ethnic or foreign markets
Film production and entertainment media
Simultaneous interpreter
- Business
Overseas
U.S.-based import/export officer or investment specialist
Interpreter and translator
Technical writer
- Government
Peace Corps
Federal Aviation Administration
Department of Homeland Security
FBI
Bureau of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services
CIA
Department of State
Armed Forces
U.S. Park Service
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Department of Justice
U.S. Courts
NASA
- Travel and tourism
U.S. based travel agent
U.S. hotel staff
U.S. tour guide for foreign visitors
Writer of tourist literature
International airline employee
International hotel staff
International tour guide
Airport personnel
Foreign travel adviser
- Education
Foreign language teacher
Teacher in bilingual program
School counselor
School administrator
- Medical
Medical researcher
Health worker in ethnic neighborhood
Nurse
Hospital administrator
Hospital receptionist
Worker in the ER
- Social services
Law enforcement officer
Public assistance interviewer
Multilingual defense attorney
Social worker
Starting Salaries after completing the program (estimates only)
$30,000 and above
Campus organizations and activities affiliated with the program
- French Club
- Phi Sigma Iota (International Foreign Language Honor Society)
- International Night
How do I know this is the degree for me?
Common Strengths and interests of students in the program
- Curiosity
- Passion for travel abroad
- Risk-takers
- Adventurous
- Open-mindedness
Contact Information
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
SLU 10719
Hammond, LA 70402
On Campus: D Vickers Hall, Room 219
Telephone: (985) 549-2152
Fax: (985) 549-3088
E-mail: flang@selu.edu
