The French major at the University of Mount Union adds a global edge to any degree and opens up a world of possibilities after graduation. Job opportunities for graduates who speak French are abundant throughout the United States and around the world. Having a strong understanding of the cultures and histories of the French-speaking world is paramount for a successful career. Through a strong in-class curriculum and opportunities for real-world experiential learning, the French major prepares students for meaningful work and success in our global world.
French Major Quick Facts
- The major in French consists of 30 or 32 semester hours of study in the target language, depending on the student’s point of entry into the program.
- The French major includes study abroad in one of three locations: Pau or Lyon, France, or Chicoutimi, Quebec.
- The French program welcomes a native French Teaching Assistant who leads conversation classes, French table, and French Club.
- International internships and work-related experiences are also available.
- Ohio Teacher Licensure in French is available to students who want to teach at the K-12 level.
- Alpha Mu Gamma is a national foreign language honorary. Exceptional world language students are invited to join by the Department.
- French Culture Club is a student-led organization that seeks to bring French culture to its members and the Mount Union community through club events, service projects and socializing.
- TAPIF (Teaching Assistant Program in France) program.
“The French program at Mount Union has been wonderful to me over four years. The professors go out of their way to make sure you succeed and have all of the necessary tools. The wide variety of courses offered cover any topic that may interest anyone. I have developed such a strong foundation in the French language and culture to help me succeed in the future.” - Natalie Cerciello '18, French and biochemistry major and member of the U.S. Navy
“At Mount Union, I double-majored in French and Japanese. I enjoyed all the courses I took for both majors. A pro with the French classes was that I improved my French significantly. I used it for the duration of class and even used it outside for my assignments such as presentations. Now, I intend to continue my studies at graduate school as a translator.” Jennifer Luther '18, French and Japanese major
William (Guillaume) Luca is triple majoring in National security, Computer Science, and French. In the summer of 2018, Guillaume obtained an internship at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency.
“The French program at Mount is a great experience. The enthusiastic and knowledgeable faculty make learning a joy. Having a teaching assistant every year who is native French speaker is nice as we have easy access to someone our age who can talk about modern France with us. The encouraging professors also led me into a full major in French language, which requires study abroad in a French speaking country. More than anything, the study abroad is one of the most meaningful things I’ve done in my time at Mount. I think everyone should study abroad, even if it’s to an English speaking location, because I personally found it beneficial. One of the strengths of the French program here is definitely that they push people to study abroad which can be so far outside some people’s comfort zone.” - Gaston Marian '18, computer science and French major
“French at Mount is SO MUCH FUN! Both of professors are so nice and knowledgeable in their fields and make the content fun and easy to learn! The French Program is also flexible with other fields, as many students who study French also study other disciplines (music, psychology, Japanese, etc.) Study abroad is also a great experience and a way to immerse oneself and learn another culture while also studying their focus disciplines. Overall, I would say even a minor in the French language is important because not only does being bilingual make you marketable, but it also opens so many doors to personal development, and the French program at UMU makes it so easy.” - Rachel Ferraiuolo '18, French and music performance major and French teacher at Canton Country Day School
“As a sophomore I took French 101 because it was a requirement. I had never taken a single French class before and quickly fell in love with the language and the process of learning it. This love turned into a minor and then a major. Without the new major, I would’ve never been able to experience France and other countries around Europe. It was what lead me to pursue my career at a global scale.” - Logan Campbell '18, French and geology major
“The French department at Mount Union is much more than a collection of classes. It’s hands-on experience! If you want to learn about culture and communication, while still having fun, the French department is the place for you!” - Parker Peterson '18, French and public relations major
“I never intended to take French at Mount Union, I wanted to do the required 2 semesters of a foreign language and be done. I ended up taking French because it was easy to get a seat in the class. I never expected to study abroad and graduate with a French minor. I wouldn’t trade my summer abroad in Lyon, France, for anything. The minor helped set me apart when searching for a job and it was no coincidence I ended up with a great job at a Belgian based company where my branch manager was born in France." - Nick Tkacik '18, French and engineering major and Project Engineer at CMI Industry Americas, Inc.
“Coming in with four years of Spanish class under my belt, I never in a million years anticipated graduating with a French major. Professors gave me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and spend a semester abroad in Pau. While I was there, I learned so many things about the culture, the language, and even about myself. It was by far one of the best experiences in my life and I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about it. I learned to be adaptable, independent, adventurous, and I developed a true appreciation for how people outside of the United States live. Those are things that I will take with me for the rest of my life and I couldn’t be more thankful for the people, the language, and the opportunities that I have had through the French program. I don’t think I would be as happy with where I am going to live, if it weren’t for these experiences.” - Danielle Trippet '18, French and psychology major
Cassie graduated from Mount Union with a French major and a minor in political science in 2016. She is currently Senior Recruitment Coordinator and her main client in Rolls Royce. Cassie is also running for the Ohio State Legislature, district 50.
Kelly graduated Mount Union in 2011. She has a master’s degree in comparative literature from the Universite de Paris-La Sorbonne and she teaches in a French high school in Lille, France. She is Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in French at the Université de Paris-Diderot, Paris VII.
Sarah graduated from Mount Union in 2015 with a major in French and a licensure. She spent a year and a half in Pau where she studied abroad and met her future husband. Sarah is now living with her French husband Alexis in Ravenna. She is the French teacher at Southeast High School.
Shaigan Bhatti presented at the 2016 SCHOLAR day on her research on Muslim entitled “Uncovering the Veil: A Comparison of Muslim Women in France and in the United States."
“It is an honor to receive the award. It means the world to me to be chosen by the French department as one of their outstanding majors. I would like to thank them for their hard work in helping me become the student I am today. Thank you again very much!” - Ryan Kinietz, Mary Frost French Prize winner
