The French program offers courses in advanced language, linguistics, literature, civilization, culture and business, all taught exclusively in French. A minor is also offered. All French majors are strongly encouraged to participate in a study abroad program. Please see your French department advisor for information about opportunities to include study abroad as part of your major.

Admission and Grade Requirements

To be admitted to major status in French, students must have an overall GPA of C+ (2.3). The minimum grade acceptable in any French course applied to a French major is C (2.0). The grade point average in all courses applied to a French major at CU Denver must be 2.5. No courses taken on a pass/fail basis may be credited toward a French major. Upon declaring a major in French, each student will be assigned to a faculty advisor with whom the student should consult at least once per semester thereafter. It is especially important that students have their transcripts reviewed by their advisor before enrolling in their final 30 credit hours at CU Denver. Failure to do so may result in delay of graduation. Students presenting four years of high school French (Level IV) for admission to CU Denver must see a French advisor before enrolling in courses for the major. Students with advanced placement credits from high school must see a French advisor about course equivalencies. The Department of Modern Languages does not accept CLEP credits.

Honors in French

Qualified majors will automatically graduate with regular honors in French. Faculty occasionally nominate students for extra course work leading to higher levels of honors in French. For information, consult the French advisor in the Department of Modern Languages.

Outcomes Assessment

During their final semester in the language, French major students participate in an oral proficiency interview and take a written outcomes assessment exam to measure their level of proficiency and mastery of key concepts.

Residency Requirement

All students majoring in French must complete 30 semester hours of upper-division French courses (courses numbered 3000 and above). A minimum of 18 of those semester hours must be taken from the faculty in French at CU Denver. Courses taken at other institutions while a student is enrolled at CU Denver may be applied to the major only with departmental approval before enrollment in those courses.  Students studying French for the professions must also take courses in other areas. Requirements for both tracks are outlined below.