French
It's the official language in dozens of countries around the globe, spoken on nearly every continent, the origin of roughly one-third of English words, and the so-called "language of love." Need more reasons to study French? At UB, you’ll join students, like you, who enjoy studying languages, learning about people who live in different countries, and exploring culture through literature, art, history and media. If that sounds très bien to you, then keep reading.
What will I learn?
As a French major, you'll appreciate small classes where you can practice speaking and writing in French—typically starting in your very first class—as you master the language. Throughout your time in this program, you'll learn about life throughout the French-speaking world, including literature, film, music, art, philosophy, current events and more.
As a student within the Department of Romance Languages and Literature, you'll also have opportunities to learn about other Romance languages and cultures that share common origins and characteristics.
What can I do with a French degree?
Teach English in Senegal. Work for a social media company in Paris. Write French textbooks for high school students. There are plenty of ways to use your talent and experience. Popular career paths include:
- Academia and education. Teach at a school or university, advise international students or help develop educational materials.
- International development. Promote human rights, gender justice and other important issues worldwide.
- Medicine and health care. Help people live healthier lives with a career in global public health.
- Publishing and translation. Become an interpreter or media specialist, or work for a publisher or immigration agency.
- Industry, research and consultation. Serve as a diplomat, promote tourism or work in international trade.
Many students also go to graduate school to study language, education, law, business or other fields.
Want to be a teacher?
Be prepared to teach grades 5-12 by getting your bachelor's and master's in just five years through our UB Teach program.
- Save time and money.
- No need to apply to graduate school.
- Be eligible for New York State professional teaching certification.
Visit the department website (at the top of this page) for more details, or see the for a list of all available majors.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $112,950.00 | N/A | |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $78,500.00 | N/A | |
| Interpreters and Translators | $40,540.00 | $19.49 |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.