The French program at College of DuPage provides you with a strong linguistic and cultural background and prepares you to live and work in a multicultural world. Experience firsthand the art, literature, music, fashion, food and architecture of French-speaking countries everywhere.
Students can choose to earn an Associate in Arts and follow the French Transfer Pathway or take French courses to meet general education requirements.
COD offers French courses in a variety of formats to meet the needs of its diverse student population.
- Traditional: Classes meet weekly and students have the opportunity to interact with an instructor and their peers.
- Online: Internet-based courses offer independent study and flexible learning. Classes are offered online with instructor and student web camera meetings.
- Hybrid: Blending the traditional and online class creates a new opportunity for students to complete course work with reduced classroom time.
Students will take French courses on civilization and culture, elementary and intermediate french, and conversation and composition.
Studying French also offers the opportunity to live and study abroad in Bordeaux, France.
Determine Your Path
If you have an interest in working internationally, enhance your knowledge and study French. Major international businesses as well as American companies regularly recruit candidates who understand the French language.
College of DuPage offers a world of educational opportunities in your own backyard. At COD, you'll find:
- Dedicated instructors with years of professional experience.
- Instruction utilizing our state-of-the-art facilities.
- Affordable courses to help you achieve success without creating overwhelming debt or draining your savings account.
- Small class sizes to ensure you receive personalized attention.
French Transfer Pathway, A.A.
What is a Transfer Pathway?
A transfer pathway represents a typical course schedule/sequence for a student planning to complete the A.A. degree within two years, then transfer and major in a specific discipline. A transfer pathway is not institution-specific.
It is important to understand that the pathway provided in the adjacent tab is just one possible combination of classes by which to complete an A.A. and prepare for transfer in your chosen area of study. Other course combinations and sequences can work, too. It is strongly recommended that students work directly and frequently with a COD academic counselor/advisor, a COD faculty advisor, and academic counselors/advisors at potential transfer schools, to develop and execute a plan that works best for them.
The study of French offers many benefits including:
- Commonly Spoken Language
French is a passport to global communication. It is the first or second language in more than 55 countries and is spoken by 250 million people around the world. - New Career Opportunities
French opens the door to many career opportunities. Major international businesses as well as American companies regularly recruit candidates who know French. Medicine, the oil and gas industry, power generation, luxury goods, aviation and other transportation technologies have extensive French-speaking networks. In addition, France continues to be a leader and innovator in science and technology. - Academic Performance
The study of French enhances knowledge. Students who learn French perform better on standardized tests since 50 percent of modern-day English words come from French. The study of French will also enhance your grammar skills in English.
Get Started Today
The first step to getting started in the French Languages program is to apply for admission.
Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree or certificate that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.
Students who complete courses in any of the Foreign Languages disciplines will:
- Communicate effectively in more than one language in order to function in a variety of situations and for multiple purposes
- Interact with cultural competence and understanding
- Connect with other disciplines and acquire information and diverse perspectives in order to use the language to function in academic and career-related situations
- Develop insight into the nature of language and culture in order to interact with cultural competence
- Communicate and interact with cultural competence in order to participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world
College of DuPage partners with several four-year institutions to help students seamlessly complete a bachelor’s degree in languages. Students can connect with Transfer Services for personalized guidance on transfer opportunities.
For more information about Transfer Pathways, visit the College of DuPage Catalog. The pathway outlines a typical two-year course plan for completing an AA or AS degree before transferring to a four-year program. Course requirements vary by institution, so consult your faculty or academic advisor for specific guidance.
Articulation Agreements
College of DuPage maintains transfer agreements with many colleges and universities to ensure a smooth transition toward a bachelor’s degree. These agreements often include a defined course sequence. Students should regularly meet with a faculty member or the Counseling and Advising office to stay on track.- Elmhurst University. AA to BA in French
- Elmhurst University, AA to BA in German
- Elmhurst University, AA to BA in Spanish
- Northern Illinois University, AA to BA in World Languages and Cultures
- Temple University- Japan Campus, affiliation agreement
Transfer Guides
Beyond articulation agreements and guaranteed admission programs, College of DuPage courses transfer to many other institutions. Transfer Guides help students select COD courses that meet prerequisites for specific majors and include details such as contact information, major requirements, general education requirements, and transfer policies.- Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, AA to BA East Asian Language and Culture (LCIS)
- Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, AA to BA Languages, Cultures, and International Studies (LCIS) French
- Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, AA to BA Languages, Cultures, and International Studies (LCIS) German
- Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, AA to BA East Asian Language and Culture (LCIS)
- Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, AA to BA Languages, Cultures, and International Studies (LCIS) Spanish
Career Information
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