BA in French & Italian Studies
The combined major in French & Italian studies allows you to study both languages at the advanced level while considering the many cultural, historical, and linguistic links between Italy, France, and the Francophone world.
This program combines the required core courses of both the French and Italian bachelor of arts programs, a selection of electives in each area, and two comparative courses in French and Italian. Your studies in these areas will provide you with strong skills in communication, composition, conversation, and critical thinking. Through our curriculum and as a part of your liberal arts education, you will emerge from the program with many practical skills and a better cultural understanding.
Transfer Guide
If you are exploring or planning to transfer to CLA, learning more about your intended major is important.
Click on the ” Full Requirements” button above to see all of the major requirements, and any limits or restrictions on certain kinds of courses or credits. Every major has a requirement of a minimum number of upper level credits or courses that must be taken through their department. Some departments also have limits to the number of 1xxx or 2xxx level courses that can count towards major requirements.
Courses to Prepare for the Major
Courses that count toward the French & Italian Studies major start at the upper division (3xxx level), so students considering a major in French & Italian Studies are encouraged to take lower level French and Italian language classes early in their college career. In transferring to UMTC, students will be required to complete a placement test or assessment to determine where they will begin in the UMTC language sequence regardless of courses completed prior to transfer.
Beginning and Intermediate French Language courses at UMTC include:
- FREN 1001 - Beginning French I
- FREN 1002 - Beginning French II -OR- FREN 1022 - Accelerated Beginning French
- FREN 1003 - Intermediate French I
- FREN 1004 - Intermediate French II
Beginning and Intermediate Italian Language courses at UMTC include:
- ITAL 1001 - Beginning Italian I
- ITAL 1002 - Beginning Italian II
- ITAL 1003 - Intermediate Italian I
- ITAL 1004 - Intermediate Italian II
It is possible to take an introductory course after transferring. This is common for students transferring from schools where French or Italian language courses were not offered or a major similar to French and Italian Studies was not available.
A grade of C- or better is required in all courses approved to satisfy major requirements.
Transferring Courses and Credits
Use Transferology to help you plan your courses for the major. Remember, when using Transferology, look for courses that transfer as direct equivalents to UMTC major courses.
Check Transferology to see if an evaluation already exists for courses you would like to use towards the major. If you find a course that has not been evaluated, you can submit an evaluation request to find out if your course is equivalent to a specific UMTC course. A copy of the course syllabus is required for the evaluation.
Declaring the Major
Transfer students must apply and be admitted to the College of Liberal Arts in order to declare a major. Check out the information on the French & Italian Studies declaration process on the Declare page.
BA Second Language Requirement
The BA degree does have a second language requirement. Consider completing or starting your second language before you transfer to CLA. Be sure to talk with a CLA transfer advisor about any questions.
Who Can Help as You Plan Your Transfer
- CLA Transfer Advising - CLA Transfer Advisors are ready to assist you as you plan your transfer to CLA. The Transfer to CLA website provides additional information to help you in your transfer exploration and planning.
- French & Italian Studies Department Advising - The departmental advisor can answer questions that are specific to the major.
- Office of Admissions - Requirements for admission to CLA are not the same as the requirements to declare a major. Read through the CLA Transfer Admissions requirements to learn more, and contact the Office of Admissions with any questions.
If you are a current UMTC student or a UM-Rochester student, you will use the
Change of College application process.
Career Paths
All liberal arts degrees help CLA students develop their Core Career Competencies, and French & Italian majors develop specific skills that are applicable to lots of different careers. These skills include strong verbal & written communication skills, critical thinking and creative problem-solving, and listening, clarifying, questioning & responding skills.
Students who take the SuperStrong Interest Inventory receive a three-letter interest code, which identifies their top three areas of interest, work activities, potential skills, and personal values. The interest code "ASE" is often associated with this major, however, the SuperStrong assessment can help you understand how your interests connect to a variety of majors and career options. You can learn more about common employer types and occupations associated with this major. You can also see CLA specific examples of alumni careers below.
Internship & Job Search Websites
- Handshake
- International Staffing Consultants
- Jobs Abroad
- OverseasJobs.com
- Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
- Idealist (Nonprofit positions in the US and internationally)
- USA Jobs
- Public Service Careers (Check out “Why Public Service?”)
Professional Organizations
- American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
- American Translators Association
- Association of International Educators
- Council on International Educational Exchange
- Foreign Policy Association
- International Association of Conference Interpretators
- International Federation of Translators
- International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language
- National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators
- National Council on Interpreting in Health Care
Graduate Programs in French & Italian and Related Fields
Students can use Find Your Grad School or Peterson’s Guide to locate a graduate program that best fits them.
This is a recent, small sample of programs that alumni have gone on to study graduate programs in this field:
MA, French Language & Literature - University of California-Berkeley
MA, International Leadership
The University of Minnesota also has M.A. and Ph.D. programs in French Studies.
Alumni Career Examples
Below is a small sampling of what alumni with this major have pursued, organized by the most common career fields they go into (although keep in mind that there are alumni in all eight of the career fields). You can also utilize the LinkedIn's Alumni Tool and the Maroon and Gold Network to further explore alumni career pathways and connect directly with professionals.
Click to expand accordion panel below for opportunities pursued by alumni in this major!
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Marketing Research Intern - Alliance Franchise
- Executive Intern - Federal Executive Board of Minnesota
- Event Planning Intern, Alliance Francaise Minneapolis St. Paul
- Style Guru Intern, CollegeFashionista
- Marketing Intern, Blue Medora
- Technician Contingent, Medtronic
Entry-Level
- Operations Manager - The Wellbridge Company
- Collections Manager - A.M. Miller and Associates
- Brand Sales Representative - Planet Beach Contempo
- Personal Supervisor - Insurance Services Office
- Account Executive - Campbell Mithun
- Instructional Designer and Project Manager - Eteefy, LLC
Experienced
- Human Resource Specialist - University of Minnesota*
- President - RSVP Vacations
- Owner - Boom!
- Project Manager - LogicBay
- Brand Development Supervisor - Clarity Coverdale Fury
- Director of Italian Adult Programs
- Marketing Manager - Furniture*
- Broker - Coldwell Banker
- Managing Director - Olson*
- Content Program Manager (Consultant) - Deluxe Corporation
- Director Assistant, Business Partnerships and Negotiation - Target
- Consultant - Wiser Wolf
- Founder - Nexus2Nexus
- Manager - Accenture
- President - ACTHA*
- Business Lead - Public Works
- Program Manager - Honeywell Smart Grid Solutions
- Sales Administrator - Garven, LLC
Graduate Programs
- MA, Human Factors & Ergonomics
- MBA, IT Management
- MSc, International Business and Emerging Markets
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Marketing and Program Assistant, World Endeavors
- Model United Nations Intern - United Nations
- Refugee & Immigrant Program Intern - The Advocates for Human Rights
Entry-Level
- Legal Secretary - State of Minnesota Board of Public Defenders
- Volunteer - Peace Corps
Experienced
- Employee Relations Attorney - Life Time Fitness*
- Senior Corporate Counsel - Exemplis Corporation*
- Employment Law - Tressler LLP*
- Program Development & Contract Coordinator - ACCENT International Consortium for Academic Programs Abroad
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Entry-Level
- Communications - Remembering the Brave
- Studio Management Intern, Frontlove Letterpress Studio
Experienced
- Director of Communications - Crossroads Community Church
- Anchor - KCRG
- Network Correspondent - CBS News
- Communications & Administrative Manager - NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota
- Associate Editor - World Languages
Graduate Programs
- MA, Organizational Leadership & Communications
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- French Teaching Intern, Alliance Francaise of Chicago
- Undergraduate Intern & Support Group Co-Facilitator - Neighborhood Involvement Program
Entry-Level
- Teacher - LCI Kids Club
- Assistant Language Director - Monterey-Middlebury Language Academy
- Independent Contractor, Voice and Piano Teacher - Traveling Teachers
Experienced
- Voice Instructor - MacPhail Center for Music
- Career Planning Course Instructor - University of Minnesota*
- English Teacher - European Teaching Program*
- French Instructor - St. Paul Public Schools*
- ELL Teacher - Minnesota Transitions Charter School*
- English Language Teacher - Babob Training Resource Center*
- Language Assistant - Académie d'Aix-Marseille
- Program Manager, Communication Services, University Relations - University of St. Thomas
- Senior Academic Advisor - University of Minnesota*
- Student Services Professional - University of Minnesota
- Instructor and Instructional Designer - University of Minnesota*
Graduate Programs
- MA, Educational Psychology
- MA, English as a Second Language