Skip to main content

2025-2026 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Search Help

French Minor

Requirements for a Minor in French

Students choosing French (non-education) as a minor program must complete a minimum of 21 credits of French beyond the FRE 102 course, including:

Required Courses - 16 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 201 and FRE 202 with two additional electives. They are encouraged to meet with a French advisor as early as possible to discuss coursework.

Elective Courses - 6 Credits

Two courses (6 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.

Requirements for a French PK-12 Education Minor

Students choosing French as a PK-12 education minor must complete 22 credits of French beyond the FRE 202 course. 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.

Required courses - 16 credits

Elective courses - 6 credits

Two courses (6 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.

Oral Proficiency Requirement

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 minor 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 French minor, 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.


If you are in need of assistance please submit any questions or comments.