Course Planning

French - Where to Start?

Course planning advice here is limited to majors. For a full description of degree requirements, please see this overview of the Academic Program and refer to the Catalog for details and official rules. Any discrepancy between the Course Planning Pages and the Catalog will be resolved in favor of the Catalog.

Where should I start if I am just sampling this subject as a non-major?

    All entering students who have prior experience with French, including first-language and heritage speakers, are required to take a placement test. The Language Placement Exercise will be given during fall orientation.

  • Placement recommendations will be available before fall registration is complete. Unless these recommendations indicate otherwise, students should enroll in First Year French I (FREN 110).
  • Any student who is placed in First Year French II (FREN 120) or above, and completes that higher level course with a grade of C or better, will automatically receive college credit for First Year French I (FREN 110).
  • Students who test out of First Year French II (FREN 120) will have fulfilled the language capacity requirement (LA).

Where should I start if I might use this as part of a major or as a potential major?

    All entering students who have prior experience with French, including first-language and heritage speakers, are required to take a placement test. The Language Placement Exercise will be given during fall orientation. 

  • Placement recommendations will be available before fall registration is complete. Unless these recommendations indicate otherwise, students should enroll in First Year French I (FREN 110).
  • Any student who is placed in First Year French II (FREN 120) or above, and completes that higher level course with a grade of C or better, will automatically receive college credit for First Year French I (FREN 110).
  • Students who test out of First Year French II (FREN 120) will have fulfilled the language capacity requirement (LA).

Where should I start if I have some experience in this discipline before college?

    All entering students who have prior experience with French, including first-language and heritage speakers, are required to take a placement test. The Language Placement Exercise will be given during fall orientation.

  • Placement recommendations will be available before fall registration is complete. Unless these recommendations indicate otherwise, students should enroll in First Year French I (FREN 110).
  • Any student who is placed in First Year French II (FREN 120) or above, and completes that higher level course with a grade of C or better, will automatically receive college credit for First Year French I (FREN 110).
  • Students who test out of First Year French II (FREN 120) will have fulfilled the language capacity requirement (LA).

When should I declare a major?

  • All students must declare a major by March 1st of the sophomore year.