Our undergraduate programs in French and Italian feature an array of courses in language, literature, culture, professional communication and film. Available to speakers at all levels and based in the humanist tradition, our courses are designed to help students develop proficiency in the language, deepen their knowledge of the literature and culture of the places where that language is spoken, and become more marketable for jobs, graduate and professional programs, and myriad forms of service, both public and private.
The Undergraduate Program Manager and Advisor for the Department of French and Italian is Mandi Schoville, located on the sixth floor of Van Hise Hall, in room 610.
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Academic Advising in French and Italian
In Fall 2025, students can schedule an advising appointment via STARFISH. My weekly advising times are as follows:*
Tuesdays, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Appointments only through Starfish (format options: In-person, zoom, or phone)
Wednesdays, 9:30 am to 11:00 am – Appointments only through Starfish (format options: In-person, zoom, or phone)
Thursdays, 9:00 am to 10:30 am – Appointments only through Starfish (format options: zoom only)
Fridays, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Drop Ins only, no appointment needed (format options: In-person only)
*Note: if a time mentioned above is not available for a certain week, this indicates that I am out of the office.
If you are not able to find a day/time in Starfish that works for you, please contact Mandi Schoville to make other scheduling arrangements.
Declaration / Cancellation
Major Declaration
Students in the College of Letters & Science, with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) designation, may declare the French or Italian major at any time. Simply complete this online form and you will be contacted once you have been declared or if there are any questions.
Students not in the College of Letters & Science who wish to declare the French or Italian major must first discuss this option with their academic advisor in their primary school or college. The primary school or college may have their own process that students must follow first before declaring with the Department of French & Italian. Once students have approval from their primary school or college, complete this online form and you will be contacted once you have been declared or if there are any questions.
Certificate Declaration
The French or Italian certificates may be declared by students in any school/college without approval by completing this form.
Canceling the Major or Certificate
We’re sorry to see you go! Complete this form and you will be contacted once processed or if there are any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of an academic advisor?
The role of an academic advisor is to help you navigate the university system and to aid you in achieving your academic and personal goals. The departmental advisor can help you navigate the French and Italian programs by helping you explore or declare either our majors or certificates, review study abroad programs that will fit with your studies, explain degree requirements for graduation, or discover additional resources on campus for academic or personal support.
What does this mean?
They are here to help you plan out your coursework so you can fulfill the requirements for your degree within your time frame, whether that is the traditional four years or not.
They are a starting point to all the resources campus has to offer, whether for tutoring, career planning, or personal support. If you do not know where to start with a particular issue you are facing, your advisor can help.
Have questions about French or Italian classes, the French or Italian major, or the French or Italian certificate?
Contact the departmental advisor, Mandi Schoville, or schedule an appointment through Starfish.
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Why should I study a language?
Learning foreign languages helps improve your understanding of the world, opens your eyes to new cultures and ways of thinking, and can be a great asset on the job market after graduation. It improves communication skills and provides you an edge over those who may not have studied another language.
Can I double major?
Yes! Most students receiving a major in French or Italian have more than one major or certificate. Our students major in a broad range of disciplines outside of their language studies, pre-med, international studies, and pre-law to name only a few.
Students in the College of Letters and Science can declare the major or certificate by filling out the declaration form and returning it to the French and Italian advisor. Students in other colleges (Engineering, Nursing, CALS, etc.), should contact their academic advisor in their primary School or College first. The primary School or College may have their own process that students must follow first before declaring with the Department of French & Italian.
Should I study abroad?
This is a personal choice that depends on many factors, including finances and other degree plans. If you are interested in studying abroad but are not sure if you can, please make an appointment! I can help you plan out your courses and review options that can make study abroad more accessible than you may think.
Careers
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students
SuccessWorks offers non-credit Canvas modules to give students a way to delve into career guides and support based on their own schedule and at their own pace.