French and Francophone Studies

The Department of French and Francophone Studies offers an A.B. Degree and a minor in French and Francophone Studies.

French and Francophone Studies majors at Georgetown enjoy a number of opportunities that enable them to achieve among the highest levels of linguistic and cultural competency with respect to their peers at other top-tier universities.  After achieving linguistic proficiency, French and Francophone Studies majors develop an in-depth critical appreciation of French and Francophone cultures and literatures; they acquire the tools to analyze and interpret texts; and they continue to refine their linguistic knowledge through the exploration of a rich variety of content areas.  Eligible French and Francophone Studies majors also have the opportunity to write a Senior Honors Thesis, which serves as a capstone for their studies and allows them to showcase and further refine their research and writing skills.

Students should select appropriate courses in consultation with their advisors and the Director of Undergraduate Studies, particularly with reference to their overall academic and career goals.

Major in French and Francophone Studies

Requirements for the A.B. in French and Francophone Studies

33 credits in French (unless lower placement requires additional language study), as follows:

  • 6 credits of Advanced French: either 2011 Intensive Advanced French (6 credits) or 2001 Advanced French I (3 credits) + 2002 Advanced French II (3 credits)
  • FREN 2551 Composition and Style (3 credits)
  • FREN 3350 Gateway: Text, Image, Culture (3 credits)
  • 21 credits (7 classes) of Upper-Division Electives including at least one from the pre-1800 Literature group, one from the post-1800 Literature group, one from the Culture and Civilization group, and one from the post-advanced Language group (including courses in Linguistics, History/Development of the Language, Performance, and French for Professional Purposes). A minimum of four of the seven upper-division electives must be at the 4000-level. At least two of these 4000-level courses must be taken at Georgetown

Please note:

  • Entering students who place above the advanced level must substitute additional upper-level electives for 2001 and/or 2002 to reach the required 33 credits. Entering students who place at the Gateway level are not required to take FREN 2551. These students must substitute additional upper-level electives for 2001, 2002, and 2551 to reach the required 33 credits in the major.
  • Students who entered Georgetown prior to Fall 2025 and who took Gateway (3350 or 3351) without first taking FREN 2551 are not required to go back and take FREN 2551. Those students may proceed to the upper level and substitute an additional elective to reach the minimum of 33 credits in the major.
  • AP credits count toward the major. See AP section of the Bulletin for details.
  • At least 6 of the required courses in the major have to be taken at Georgetown.
  • FREN 2761 and 2762 do not count toward the major.

Integrated Writing Requirement

Because writing is integrated and emphasized across our curriculum, students will fulfill the integrated Writing Requirement through the fulfillment of major requirements.

Study Abroad Requirement

Majors are normally required to study in a French or Francophone university during their undergraduate years in the context of a one-semester, full-academic year, or intensive summer program. Georgetown offers excellent programs in France and Francophone countries–many of which require direct matriculation and must meet the overseas studies standards and guidelines established by the Office of Global Education. 

The Department of French and Francophone Studies also sponsors a six-week dual-track summer study program in Tours-Paris: all students complete a two-week culture integration workshop in Tours, following which some students continue language/culture study in Tours and others pursue a politics and business program in Paris. See the Study Abroad section of this Bulletin concerning university regulations and the Study Abroad section of the Department of French and Francophone Studies Website for credit transfer guidelines.

Minor in French and Francophone Studies

Students majoring in other subjects are welcome to minor in French. French minors achieve proficiency in the French language and then further develop their understanding of the French and Francophone world. By complementing their primary fields of study with a minor in French and Francophone Studies, students will bolster their linguistic, cultural, and literary knowledge and further their exploration of the humanities. Students’ enhanced exposure to French and Francophone cultures comes coupled with more sophisticated writing, research, and critical thinking abilities. 

Requirements for the Minor

Students minoring in French and Francophone Studies must complete a total of 18 credits, beginning at the intermediate level or above, and including FREN 2551 Composition & Style and FREN 3350 Gateway: Text, Image, Culture. Following the Advanced Level (either 2011 Intensive Advanced or 2001 + 2002 Advanced French I and II), the typical progression to the minor is to first complete FREN 2551 Composition & Style before moving on to FREN 3350 Gateway: Text, Image, Culture. Entering students who place at the Gateway level or above are not required to take FREN 2551 and may substitute additional upper-level electives. Students who entered Georgetown before Fall 2025 and took a Gateway without first taking FREN 2551 are not required to go back and take 2551; they may substitute an additional elective for 2551.

Additional notes:

  • Students who completed FREN 2012 in Spring 2025 or earlier may enroll directly in FREN 3350 Gateway.
  • At least nine of the 18 credits must be taken at the post-advanced level (after FREN 2002 or FREN 2011).
  • AP credits count toward the minor. See the AP section of the Bulletin for details.
  • At least four of the six required courses have to be taken at Georgetown.
  • Either FREN 2761 or FREN 2762 (but not both) may count in the minor.

Please click here to see our Guidelines for Credit Transfer from Study Abroad. 

The E. Joseph McCarthy Scholarships

These awards have been established to support overseas study or internship experiences for Georgetown students.  All awards are based on need and merit.

Semester or Academic Year Abroad:

For French and Francophone Studies majors and minors only.  These scholarships support students enrolled in a GU study abroad program in France or another Francophone country for a semester or a full academic year. Eligible French majors may receive up to $8,500 in scholarship support and eligible French minors up to $6,500 for a full year abroad or $7,500 and $5,500 respectively for a semester abroad.

Summer Study Abroad in Tours and Tours/Paris:

For all undergraduate students enrolled in Georgetown French and Francophone Studies courses.  Eligible applicants will be awarded scholarships of up to $4,000 for the GU summer programs in Tours and Tours/Paris.

John Carroll Summer Internships in Saint-Omer:

For all undergraduate students enrolled in Georgetown French and Francophone Studies courses.  Eligible applicants will receive up to $1,500 of support for travel expenses related to the John Carroll Saint-Omer Internship program.

If you have questions, please contact Prof. Paul Young, Chair of the E. Joseph McCarthy Committee, at pjy43@georgetown.edu. Please see the E.Joseph McCarthy Scholarships for Overseas Study  for application forms and complete information.

European Studies Certificate

See the European Studies Certificate section in the Bulletin.

African Studies Certificate

See the African Studies Certificate section in the Bulletin.