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2025-2026 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Bachelor of Arts in French

Requirements

Students majoring in French are required to complete 30 credits beyond the FRE 201 course (or its equivalent) including:

REQUIRED COURSES - 15 credits

*Students who place into the 300 level through GVSU's language placement evaluation, AP or CLEP credits, or consultation with an advisor from the French section, must substitute FRE 202 with an additional upper-level elective. They are encouraged to meet with a French advisor as early as possible to discuss coursework.
**Capstone must be taken in the last year preceding graduation.

ELECTIVE COURSES - 15 credits

Four courses (12 credits):

One course at the 400 level (3 credits):

*FRE 321 and FRE 421 or FRE 422 cannot both be counted for credit for the major, except with prior approval from a French advisor.
**FRE 322 and FRE 423 or FRE 424 cannot both be counted for credit for the major, except with prior approval from a French advisor.
***FRE 323 and FRE 425 or FRE 426 cannot both be counted for credit for the major, except with prior approval from a French advisor.

Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in French

Requirements for a French PK-12 Education Major

Students majoring in French PK-12 education are required to complete 34 credits beyond the FRE 202 course, including:

Suggested Order of Coursework in French PK-12 Education

Oral Proficiency Requirement

It is a requirement of the Michigan Department of Education and Grand Valley's College of Education and Community Innovation that teacher candidates achieve the Advanced-Low level on the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in French before student teaching. The OPI should be taken right away after returning from a study abroad program. Information sessions on the OPI and other requirements for certification are provided each semester.

Study Abroad Requirement

Students with a French PK-12 education major must study abroad in a French-speaking country for a minimum of one semester (12 to 15 credits in French at the 300 or 400 level) in a departmentally approved program. Courses taken during the study abroad semester normally fulfill course requirements for the major, but these need to be determined ahead of time by a French advisor. Advising is critical. Students interested in pursuing a teaching degree in French are urged to meet with a French advisor as early as possible in their program.

Students are advised to complete at least one course (three credits) of French at the 300-level prior to studying abroad to maximize proficiency gains abroad.

Students who cannot meet the study abroad requirement will need to propose an alternative plan approved by a French advisor.

Note: Per program accreditation requirements, teacher certification coursework in world languages must be at the 300-level or above. Students may need to take up to 15 additional credits (FRE 101, FRE 102, FRE 201, and FRE 202) before beginning the 300-level coursework, depending on language placement or credits earned by exam.

Requirements for a Major in Education

Students majoring in French PK-12 education are required to complete an additional major in Education (39 credits).

EDUCATION MAJOR PREREQUISITE COURSES (12 CREDITS)

TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP COURSES (14 CREDITS)

TEACHER INTERNSHIP COURSES (13 CREDITS)

Suggested Order of Coursework in French PK-12 and Education Majors

The suggested sequence is highly variable, depending on the entry point, study abroad, and other factors.


Year Two:

Semester one:

Semester two:

Year Three:

Semester one:

Semester two:

  • Study Abroad* (12-15 credits in French)

OR

Year four:

Semester one (Teacher apprenticeship)

Semester Two (Teacher Internship)

* Students who go abroad for the entire semester will complete 12-15 credits toward the major, which will significantly lighten the course load in other semesters.


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