About French

Interested in learning a language that opens doors on 5 continents? If so, study French at City College and prepare yourself for world exploration.

You'll learn the French language, explore the many cultures in the French-speaking world, study film, engage with literature, and more. Bon voyage!

Explore Potential Careers

Studying French can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have!

  • Teaching,
  • Travel
  • Translation and interpretation
  • International business
  • International affairs and diplomacy
  • NGO and not-for-profit careers
  • Fashion
  • Culinary arts
  • Viticulture

Program Options 

Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish. 

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals. 

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
ENGL 1A + 1AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 4-6  
GE Area A Communication and Analytical Thinking 3  
GE Area G1 Health Knowledge Requirement 2-3  
Major Requirement (See Counselor) 3-5  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  

Total Units: 15-20

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
Major Requirement (See Counselor) 3-5  
MATH 46, MATH 60 or 860, ET 108B, or ET 50, or PSYC 5, or ECON 5, or LALS 5, or PHIL 12A, or FIN 136M or higher math course (or equivalent) Math Graduation Requirement 3-8  
GE Area D Social and Behavioral Sciences Requirement 3  
GE Area E Humanities Requirement 3  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  

Total Units: 15-22

Semester 3

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
Major Requirement (See Counselor) 3-5  
Major Requirement (See Counselor) 3-5  
GE Area C Natural Sciences Requirement 3-6  
GE Area F United States History and Government Requirement 3  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  

Total Units: 15-22

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
Major Requirement (See Counselor) 3-5  
Additional Major Requirement (See Counselor) 3-5  
GE Area G2 Physical Skills Requirement 1-3  
GE Area H Ethnic Studies, Women's and Gender Studies and LGBTQ Studies 3  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  
Degree Applicable Elective   3  

Total Units: 16-22

View Requirements in College Catalog

Required courses: FREN 3 or FREN 3A+3B

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
FREN 3 Intermediate French 5  
or      
FREN 3A Intermediate French 3  
and      
FREN 3B Intermediate French 3  

Total Units: 5 - 6 

Choose at least 11 units from the following courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
FREN 1 Elementary French 5  
or      
FREN 1A Elementary French 3  
and      
FREN 1B Elementary French 3  
FREN 2 Continuation of Elementary French 5  
or      
FREN 2A Continuation of Elementary French 3  
and      
FREN 2B Continuation of Elementary French 3  
FREN 4 Cont. of Intermediate French 3  
FREN 5 Advanced French: Conversation on French Literature and Culture 3  
FREN 22 Grammar Review and Composition 3  
FREN 23 French Phonetics 3  
FREN 10A Beginning Conversational French 3  
FREN 10B Continuation of Beginning Conversational French 3  
FREN 10C Intermediate Conversational French 3  
FREN 10D Continuation of Intermediate Conversational French 3  
FREN 10E FREN 10E - Continuation of Intermediate Conversational French 3  
FREN 11A Advanced Conversational French 3  
FREN 11B Advanced Conversational French 3  
FREN 41 Culture and Civilization of France 3  
FREN 42 Contemporary French Culture and Civilization 3  

Total Units: 11

Overall Total Units: 16 - 17 

Transfer Options

The program coursework you complete at City College will satisfy lower-division requirements for related majors at several colleges and universities. Start planning your transfer by exploring French programs at the following institutions: 

  • California State University
  • University of California

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.