Whether starting out in French 101 or sitting next to a native speaker in a 400-level literature course, our students build their proficiency in French while exploring the far corners of French and Francophone literature, culture, geography, film, current events, and professional life. The diversity of our course offerings combines with a diversity of student experience–including both pre- and post-study-abroad students, nontraditional professionals, graduate students from other departments, and class visitors–to create a rich set of possibilities for all those interested in moving farther in this important world language.
If you have previous experience in a world language and want to continue learning it, please see the placement page on the Languages at UW-Madison website.
GENERAL
All incoming UW-Madison students are encouraged to take the placement test for language(s) studied in high school or elsewhere. UW placement tests are available in French at Regional Testing sites and ACT Testing Centers. For information on registering for placement testing, see the SOAR website and the Testing and Evaluation Services website. Students may be eligible to receive retroactive credits, depending on which level of French they place into (see below). Additionally, students who took the AP French Exam and received a score of 3 or higher will be awarded college credit (see below).
Placement in French language courses 101-228 is determined by the UW System French Placement test or in consultation with the Department of French & Italian.
UW SYSTEM FRENCH PLACEMENT SCORES
If you get this placement score, you should register for this course:
RETRO CREDITS
Students enrolled in 102, 203, 204, 228, 271, 311 or 312 are eligible for retro credits. Consult complete retrocredit policy for more information.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) CREDIT POLICY
College credit will be awarded to students who receive a 3, 4, or 5 on their AP French Exam.* More information can be found here.
FOREIGN CREDIT EVALUATION
For questions regarding Foreign Credit Evaluation, contact Mandi Schoville.
Effective spring 2025, the French Major Requirements have been updated to allow students more flexibility, especially those pursuing multiple majors, certificates and/or those who have or will study abroad. The new requirements will not officially be in the Guide until Summer 2025, however we are already honoring the requirements effective spring 2025. Students who are already declared in the French Major will have the option of keeping and fulfilling the pre-existing French major requirements or switching to the new requirements. Switching to the new requirements is not possible until September 2025 and students will be notified when the option to switch is possible. If you are graduating this spring 2025 or summer 2025 and will NOW be able to complete the French major under these new requirements, contact the Undergraduate Program Manager and Advisor, Mandi Schoville.
New French Major Requirements¹
27 totals credits beyond French 204²
Required Courses (9 credits)
- French 228
- French 271
- Students pick 1 of the following: FR 321 or 322 or 347 or 348 or 361³ or 362³
Elective Courses (18 credits)¹
- Students can choose electives¹ from the master list of French courses provided in the Guide.
¹ Only 1 course taught in English can count towards the French Major.
² Students must complete the French Foundational Courses (101 – 102 – 203 – 204) prior to beginning French major courses. This is done by taking the foundational courses or placing into a level beyond 101 and working up to the major courses. Some students might place directly into a French major course via the placement test or from AP / transfer credit.
³ French 361 and 361 are only available to study abroad participants, in addition to French 316 and 420
Students can apply 6 to 15 credits from a UW study abroad program towards the French Major.
Students should review all the French major requirements provided in the Guide prior to declaring, including the Residence and Quality of Work requirements.
Outcomes of the French Major
After completion of an undergraduate French major, students will be able to:
Skills
- Demonstrate understanding and ability to analyze literary and non-literary texts in French representing a broad spectrum of topics, time periods, and geographical regions
- Express yourself effectively in spoken and written French to inform, persuade, and narrate for different audiences of listeners, viewers, or readers
- Express yourself effectively in spoken and written French to share information, reactions, and opinions related to a broad spectrum of topics and texts
Knowledge
- Recognize and explain cultural artifacts, practices, and perspectives of the French-speaking world including how these cultural elements relate to literary and non-literary texts in French
- Demonstrate a good degree of understanding of lexical, grammatical, syntactic, and stylistic features of the French language
Dispositions
- Demonstrate awareness of difference and diversity by comparing and contrasting culturally situated beliefs, behaviors, and norms of the French-speaking world with your own
- Engage in a sustained fashion with the French language, its users, and cultural artifacts in and beyond the classroom, e.g., in your own community, virtual communities, and study abroad
French Certificate Requirements¹
15 total credits beyond French 204²
Required Courses (6 credits)
- French 228
- French 271
Advanced Language Course (3 credits)
- Students pick one of the following: FR 311 or 312 or 313 or 314 or 316³ or 350 or 590
Elective Courses (6 credits)³
- Students can choose electives from the master list of French courses provided in the Guide.
¹ Courses taught in English do not count towards the French Certificate.
² Students must complete the French Foundational Courses (101 – 102 – 203 – 204) prior to beginning French certificate courses. This may be done by taking the foundational courses, placing into a level beyond 101 and working up to the certificate courses. Some students might place directly into a French certificate course via the placement test or from AP / transfer credit.
³ French 316 is only available to study abroad participants, in addition to French 361, 362 and 420
Students can apply 3 to 6 credits from a UW study abroad program towards the French Certificate.
Students should review all the French certificate requirements provided in the Guide prior to declaring, including the Residence and Quality of Work requirements.
All French & Italian undergraduate courses are offered with “Honors Optional” enrollment which students can select Yes or No during course registration.
Why honors?
Students take honors courses for different reasons and to better understand honors, students are encouraged to read about the types of honors coursework and the Honors Program in general. If students are curious about taking a course for honors or the Honors Program, they should contact an advisor in honors or the French & Italian academic advisor.
Honors in French & Italian Courses
Students can enroll in “Honors Optional” for a course by selecting Yes during course registration. Students taking a course for honors will be required to do additional work to fulfill the requirements for the honors designation. Students should contact the professor/instructor of the course at the very beginning of the semester to discuss the work expectations for honors in the course.
Honors in the Major
Students may declare Honors in the Major in consultation with the French & Italian academic advisor.
To earn Honors in the Major, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major and the following additional requirements:
- Earn a 3.300 University GPA
- Earn a 3.500 GPA for all FRENCH courses and all courses counting in the major
- Complete at least 8 credits, taken for Honors, beyond FRENCH 2711
- Complete a two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in FRENCH 681 and FRENCH 682, for a total of 6 credits2
1-Study abroad in France or in another French-speaking country is highly recommended, and the 8 credits taken for Honors can be fulfilled through French courses taken abroad at the appropriate level.
2-In certain circumstances (particularly when the student is an Honors candidate in two or more departments), two courses in literature or cultural studies numbered 500-599 or 600-699 may be substituted for the Senior Honors Thesis.
STUDY ABROAD
SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
Gain competence with the French language, and knowledge of French culture, history and the arts in Aix-En-Provence. This program is offered by a consortium of Indiana University and UW-Madison. A faculty member from one of the participating U.S. universities serves as the Faculty Director for the academic year and teaches at least one course. The Faculty Director, along with local Assistant Director, assists with all aspects of the program.
Stroll along the Champs-Elysees while enjoying everything that Paris has to offer in your spring semester abroad! The UW Paris Spring Program will offered through a partnership with the CIEE French and Critical Studies program (FCS). A faculty member from UW Madison serves as the Program Leader each spring. In addition, CIEE will facilitate the transition into Parisian life and help with everyday practical matters.
This 4-week summer program in Rabat, Morocco, combines intensive study of French language along with the exploration of the political, cultural, and historical perspectives of Morocco, North Africa, and the French language and culture presence in this country and region.
EXCHANGE AND AFFLIATE PROGRAMS
Brussels, Belgium / CIEE Business, Communications and Culture at Vesalius College
Monpellier, France/ Institut National d’études Supérieures Agronomiques de Montpellier Exchange
Paris, France / CIEE French and Critical Studies in Paris
Paris, France / Institut d’Etudes Politiques Exchange
Tours, France / Institut de Touraine French Language Program
Tunis, Tunisia / SIT Emerging Identities in North Africa
INTERNSHIPS
International Internship Program
The International Internship Program (IIP) – an office within the International Division – identifies, cultivates, and promotes high-quality internship opportunities for UW Madison undergraduate students. Cultivated internships are created specifically for UW Madison undergraduates and are those listed in red on IIP’s database; most require enrollment in the Worldwide Internship Program (WIP).
Cultivated internship deadlines: early October for Spring internships; mid-February for Summer or Fall internships.
The Worldwide Internship Program (WIP) is a way for UW Madison undergraduates to earn academic credit for an internship abroad. WIP allows you to be continuously enrolled at UW-Madison while interning, in order to maintain access to scholarships, international health insurance, etc. This program is open to students from any major. Students can enroll in WIP if they are participating in an IIP cultivated internship. They can also apply sepaparetly for WIP credit on a student-identified internship.
WIP Application deadlines: early October for Spring internships; early March for Summer or Fall internships
How can I intern in France?
IIP has provided the following steps to help you plan and prepare for your internship in France. More information can be found on their website or in this informational sheet.
1. Identify internship opportunities (databases, advising, or info sessions)
2. Apply: either through IIP database or directly with the organization; apply for credit through IIP
3. Confirm internship with IIP and the organization: complete necessary forms and deposits
4. Complete tri-lateral internship agreement (agreement between the student, UW-Madison and the host organization)
5. Prepare: Apply for a visa, visit UHS Travel Clinic, pick up WIP course reader
*We recommend that you apply early, as this process often takes several months. IIP advising drop-in hours and appointments can be found here.
Past Student Internships
Cultivated
Telelangue (Paris, France)
Uffizi Gallery (Florence, Italy)
Student-identified
Various ‘office de tourisme’ (France ; Fort Mahon and Epinal)
KUHN Group (France)
International New York Times (France)
Good News International of Rwanda (Rwanda)
Bombardier (Montréal, Canada)
International Organization for Migration (Geneva, Switzerland)
US Dept of State (Italy)
Questions?
Contact IIP Advisor – 608-261-1018
French Club is an organization that focuses its activities on the French language and Francophone culture. We encourage anyone who is interested in learning about the French language/culture to join. The purpose of French Club is to improve its members’ proficiency in the French language and expand the knowledge and enjoyment of French and Francophone culture. Some of our social events include eating at local French restaurants, watching French movies, and more. French Club also aims to give back to the French community of Madison through volunteering events and raising money for the organization with fundraising events.
All of communication goes through GroupMe, so please join et au plaisir de vous voir!