Why Study French at USC?
#1
France is the most visited country in the world
54
UNESCO World Heritage sites in France
30
Intangible Cultural Heritage traditions
7th
largest economy by GDP with strong sectors in luxury goods, aerospace, finance, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, entertainment, and environment/green industries.
5th
most spoken language in the world with 320M Francophones.
32
countries in which French is an official language.
740K
jobs in French companies investing in the U.S.
3rd
most used language in business.
Top 3
leading foreign employers in 24 U.S. states and territories are French.
Foreign languages offer a powerful advantage in today’s job market: 9 out of 10 U.S. employers rely on employees with language skills beyond English, and 56% expect their need for multilingual professionals to grow in the next five years. Bilingual individuals can see up to 35% more job opportunities than their monolingual peers, and on average, professionals with bilingual skills can earn 5% to 20% more per hour.
Studying French opens doors to global industries including business, public policy, science, entertainment, hospitality, gaming, art, and intellectual life. In the twenty-first century, success requires culturally competent, critical thinkers with strong communication and language skills. A major or minor in French at USC equips students with exactly these abilities, preparing them to thrive in an increasingly diverse, multilingual, and interconnected world.
As a student of French at USC, you’ll engage deeply not only with the culture, literature, and society of France, but also with the broader Francophone world—including North Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. Our faculty are experts in fields ranging from Renaissance culture to French hip-hop, from critical theory to Islam in France, ensuring a rich and interdisciplinary learning experience.
At USC, you are invited to:
- Study abroad in Paris, Dijon, or Martinique
- Graduate with Honors in French by undertaking independent research and writing an Honors Thesis
- Be inducted into Pi Delta Phi, the National French Honors Society
- Earn professional and academic certifications, including:
- the Diplôme de français professionnel Affaires B1/B2, granted by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (after completing a Business French course)
- a Departmental Certificate in the Practice of Translation
- a Seal of Biliteracy or a Certificate of Proficiency in Two or More Foreign Languages, granted by the Center for Languages & Cultures
- Join the student-run French Club
- Attend special events, talks, and conferences co-sponsored by the French Consulate in Los Angeles
- Apply for scholarships, internships, and pre-professional opportunities that connect language learning to real-world experience
We look forward to welcoming you to the study of French at USC — where language, culture, and global perspectives come together to shape the leaders of tomorrow.
