French Resources

The French Program at Montclair offers students the opportunity to develop advanced language proficiency while exploring the cultures, histories and societies of the French-speaking world. With specializations in teaching, translation and civilization, the program combines rigorous academic study with personalized faculty mentorship and a strong sense of community among students.

French majors and minors participate in a variety of cultural and academic activities on campus and throughout the New York–New Jersey metropolitan area. Students may also pursue an accelerated five-year BA/MA pathway in French, allowing them to begin graduate coursework while completing their undergraduate degree.

Each spring, the program hosts French Day, welcoming area high school students to campus for an immersive celebration of French language and culture.

An open book with text written in French

Our Programs


The French Program offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates and learning opportunities designed to develop language proficiency and deepen understanding of the cultures, histories and societies of the French-speaking world. Beyond the classroom, students engage in a vibrant community through conversation sessions, film festivals, cultural outings and study abroad opportunities that bring French language and culture to life.

Undergraduate

French minor;  French BA, Translation or French Civilization Concentration; French BA, Teacher Certification (P-12); Language, Business and Culture, French Concentration

 

Graduate 

French MA, French Studies or Professional French Translation Concentration; Combined BA/MA in French; Professional French Translation Certificate; Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification; MA in Teaching with French Certification; MA in Teaching with French and Teacher of Students with Disabilities Concentration; 

Careers

French is the language spoken by the most countries in the world after English and it is an official language of the United Nations, FIFA, and the Olympics. More than 500 local companies belong to the New York French-American Chamber of Commerce, which means that there are a huge number of companies interested in hiring French speakers.  In addition, the United States’ largest trading partner is Québec, only eight hours away by car. Many companies seek French speakers to translate publicity materials and products for the Québecois market. As a result, New Jersey schools actively recruit French teachers. All of these elements translate into an abundance of local jobs in which one can use French.

Logo for French Day

French Day

Each spring the department hosts our annual French Day, inviting area high school students to attend a half-day, fun-filled immersion workshop on all things French!  Information about French Day 2027 will be announced soon!

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Cercle Français

The Cercle Français is a student-run cultural organization featuring field trips, conversation hour, and cooking. For more information contact the Faculty Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth Emery

University Hall through the trees

French Honor Society

The purpose of the Pi Delta Phi society (Gamma Kappa Chapter) is to recognize outstanding scholarship in the French language and its literatures, to increase the knowledge and appreciation of Americans for the cultural contributions of the French-speaking world, and to stimulate and to encourage French and francophone cultural activities. The national organization offers scholarship and networking opportunities.

A group of college students talk together in a classroom

Discussion Group for Graduates

To foster communication among our graduates, our listserv acts as a bulletin board on which to post job queries and listings, to communicate with former classmates, and to find information about cultural events in the New York metropolitan area. In addition, our visiting French scholar each year will be available as a resource to answer questions about grammar, translation, current French idioms, usage and slang, and trends in contemporary French/Francophone civilization and culture. All messages will be archived, so you can always go back to consult e-mail exchanges.

To be added to the list manually, send your e-mail to: Dr. Elizabeth Emery and request to be added to the listserv.

In the News

Our Faculty

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