Why French at Iowa?

Power your degree with French—versatile, valuable, and globally respected.

Enrich your academic journey

Studying French at Iowa empowers you to engage with new cultures, expand your global perspective, and take active steps toward your future. Explore opportunities to immerse yourself in the French language through study abroad programs, internships, and community engagement, all while building skills that will set you apart in a global workforce.

Research and scholarship

Explore articles and books published by French faculty at the University of Iowa.

Honors

Earn honors in your major while studying French at the University of Iowa.

Study abroad

Practice your language skills, expose yourself to world cultures, and expand your worldview.

Internships

Apply what you learn in the program, gain real world experience, and pursue your future career path.

Connect with an ambassador

Embrace your potential as a student

Become a student ambassador

Share your passion and lead others to success

Why study French at Iowa?

Building skills to engage with global communities both locally and internationally.

From Canada to Senegal, Belgium to Morocco, Switzerland to Haiti, French is an official language in more than 25 countries and on five continents. French is a key language of diplomacy, used by international organizations like the United Nations, the European Union, the International Red Cross, and the Olympic Committee.

In the business world, French is a valuable asset, especially in international trade and global markets. With its roots in Latin, French is also a strong complement for students in the sciences. So, if you’re considering a future in global affairs, humanitarian work, international law, or beyond, French gives you a major advantage.

But learning French isn’t just practical—it’s transformative. You’ll explore diverse cultures, histories, and ideas through literature, film, music, and real-world topics. Along the way, you’ll build communication, critical thinking, and intercultural skills that stand out in any field.

Whether you’re planning to study abroad, broaden your perspective, or prepare for an international career, French is more than a language—it’s a passport to the world.

300M +

French speakers worldwide

New path to the French major

We now offer a flexible path to the French BA, making it easier to complete the major alongside another area of study. Whether you’re passionate about international relations, health care, digital media, or the environment, our revised curriculum allows you to tailor your degree to fit your goals—all while becoming fluent in one of the world’s most influential languages.

"After graduating with my French major, I was looking for opportunities to continue using all the language skill I had built while in Iowa. A few months later, I found myself teaching English to middle schoolers in Calais, France. Because of all the classes and support at the University, I felt confident speaking French, living abroad, and traveling around Europe in what was an altogether unforgettable experience. I am now working for USAID in Washington, D.C., on humanitarian rights-related policy."

- Paige Batten

Portrait of student who studied French at Iowa

French language and culture resources

Teach in France

Getting close to graduation? Have you thought about teaching abroad? The Teaching Assistant Program in France offers you the opportunity to work in France for 7 months, teaching English to French students of all ages.

Visit a museum virtually

Check out these 7 museums you can explore virtually! The options include the Louvre, Mont Saint Michel, or the Fine Arts Museums of Lyon.

Try a virtual game to practice your French

Try these games for French leaners and test your language skills through play.

Write your story

Build knowledge. Conduct research. Create new work. Stand out among your peers. You're going places, and it all starts here.

French faculty

Portrait of Emilie Destruel
Pinned content, custom sorted.

Emilie Maurel-Destruel, PhD

Title/Position
Associate Department Executive Officer
Associate Professor, French
Associate Professor, Linguistics
Portrait of Sohair Abul-Haija

Sohair Abul-Haija, PhD

Title/Position
Assistant Professor of Instruction, French
Portrait of Anny-Dominique Curtius

Anny-Dominique Curtius, PhD

Title/Position
Professor, French
Potrait of Roxanna Curto

Roxanna Curto, PhD

Title/Position
Associate Professor, French
Affiliate Faculty, Translation
Potrait of Russell Ganim

Russell Ganim, PhD

Title/Position
Associate Provost
Professor, French
Portrait of David Hagan

David Hagan, PhD

Title/Position
Assistant Professor of Instruction, French
Potrait of Roland Racevskis

Roland Racevskis, PhD

Title/Position
Associate Dean for the Arts and Humanities, CLAS
Professor, French
Portrait of Rosemarie Scullion

Rosemarie Scullion, PhD

Title/Position
Associate Professor, French
Potrait of Jan Steyn

Jan Steyn, PhD

Title/Position
Director of Graduate Studies
Associate Professor of Instruction, French
Associate Professor of Instruction, Translation
Portrait of Downing Thomas

Downing Thomas, PhD

Title/Position
Professor, French