About the Department

French and Francophone Studies

Making Connections: Notre Dame's French Tradition

Father Sorin

When you decide to study French at Notre Dame, you’re not picking a “foreign” language.

Instead, you’re choosing one that can truly be described as “global.” For instance, French is an official working language of the United Nations, UNESCO, the International Monetary Fund, the International Olympic Committee, the 47-member Council of Europe, and the European Commission.

You’re choosing one that is spoken regularly by close to 200 million people worldwide. Approximately 80 million more are learning the language. French is the official language of 33 countries, and 55 officially belong to La Francophonie, the association of French-speaking nations.

You’re also choosing a language that is intimately connected with the history of Notre Dame. When Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., a French priest of the Congrégation de Sainte Croix, founded the school in 1842, he named it l’Université de Notre Dame du Lac—The University of Our Lady of the Lake. Fr. Sorin modeled Notre Dame on the tradition of the great Catholic universities of medieval Europe, particularly those in Paris. The language and literature of France, which were an essential part of the University’s initial curriculum, have enjoyed great popularity on campus ever since. Today, the French Program includes the study of Francophone literatures and cultures, as well.

So as far as we’re concerned, French couldn’t be more familiar.

French at Notre Dame Today

Since the 1990s, the French Program has expanded to include the study of Francophone literatures and cultures. At the undergraduate level, it offers a first and a supplementary major as well as a minor. Since the 1930s, the University has offered a Master's degree in French. Through the Literature Program, a Ph.D. degree is also available.

Experience Abroad

A recommended component of the Notre Dame experience is a year of study abroad. For nearly 40 years, Notre Dame has operated an international study program in association with the Université Catholique de l’Ouest, one of France’s premier regional universities, in Angers, the heart of the Loire Valley. Notre Dame also offers an exchange program with Sciences Po, in Paris.

Honors Opportunities in French

Notre Dame runs a chapter of the National French Honor Society, Pi Delta Phi, which holds an induction ceremony every year. The Program also offers an Honors Track in French.

Activities in French

At Notre Dame, French language acquisition and a familiarity with Francophone cultures are not limited to the classroom. Students benefit from other exciting opportunities, such as the French Theatre Production and the student club Le Cercle Français, to practice their skills.

Professional Opportunities

There are many advantages to studying a foreign language, essentially the development of skills that are of high value on the job market, where globalization is the keystone for major corporations. Learn more >

Did you know...?

France has one of the 10 largest economies in the world; it also ranks in the top 10 in the receipt of patents per million people.


Explore French and Francophone Studies

Undergraduate Program in French

Graduate Program in French and Francophone Studies

French and Francophone Studies Faculty