French Studies Major Map
BACHELOR OF ARTS HONOURS (SPECIALIZATION) │ BACHELOR OF ARTS HONOURS (MAJOR, MEDIAL) │ BACHELOR OF ARTS/SCIENCE (MINOR)
Get the
Courses
You Need
1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Year
Final Year
Take FREN 100 or FREN
110. The online Placement
Test will help you find your
level.
Take the required courses on
literature: FREN 220 and 212
for the Major or Medial,
FREN 221 for the Minor, and
additional possible courses on
language (FREN 201, 202,
219).
Develop your skills in textual
analysis, oral and written
French through a variety of
courses. Look into doing an
undergraduate thesis in your
final year if interested.
Take advanced language and
literature courses. Write your
undergraduate thesis. Apply to
graduate on SOLUS.
Take 6.0 units total. See the
French Studies website for
details on course
requirements.
Get
Relevant
Experience
Join teams or clubs on campus
such as Club Francophone and
Queen’s Model Parliament.
Look in the Co-Curricular
Opportunities Directory or
AMS Clubs Directory for
more ideas.
Majors take 12.0-15.0 units
total. For details see the
department website.
Look into summer jobs by
talking to the dept. or Career
Services about work through
SWEP. Take more
responsibility within different
clubs or extracurriculars.
If interested, take a summer
course in Québec through the
Explore program to immerse
Majors take 24.0 units on
average.
Majors take 18.0 units on
average.
Stay during the summer as an
assistant to a faculty member
or apply for an external
summer research opportunity.
If interested, look into
employment with the federal
government such as a
Parliamentary Guide or a
Guide at a war memorial in
Investigate full-time jobs or
other opportunities related to
careers of interest.
Consider teaching English in
France for a year.
Assess what experience
you’re lacking and fill in gaps
with volunteering, clubs, or
1st Year
Volunteer on or off campus
with different community
organization such as the
Francophone Centre and the
Community Queen’s International Affairs
Association.
Get
Connected
with Your
Get
Thinking
Globally
Get Ready
for Life
After
Graduation
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The Queen’s University
International Centre will be
your first stop to
internationalizing your degree.
Speak to a QUIC advisor or
get involved in their many
programs, events and training
opportunities.
Grappling with program
decisions? – go to different
Major Nights by the
departments or various Career
Fairs in the year. Get some
help deciding by visiting
Career Services.
2nd Year
3rd Year
Final Year
yourself in a French speaking
environment.
Get involved with the
Departmental
Student Council (DSC).
France with Veterans Affairs
Canada.
Do targeted networking with
people working in careers of
interest (with alumni, using
LinkedIn, etc.).
internships.
Start or continue volunteering
with organizations such as le
Centre culturel Frontenac and
the
Queen's Interfaith and
Intercultural Society (QIIS).
Want to speak French abroad?
Start thinking about where
you would like to study
abroad. Apply before the first
week of January for a 3rd year
exchange through the
International Programs Office.
Explore different careers of
interest by reading books in
the Career Services Advising
and Resource Area, such as
Careers for Culture Lovers, or
by finding and connecting
with alumni on LinkedIn.
Consider international
teaching opportunities,
including France.
Consider tutoring in French.
Connect with professors at
events or workshops hosted by
the DSC. Develop contacts
with the Kingston
francophone community.
Consider a one or two term
exchange in France with the
Ontario-Rhône-Alpes
program.
Build your intercultural
competence by getting
involved with other cultures or
by practicing your language
skills. Stop by QUIC for
ideas to go abroad, volunteer
at QUIC or attend one of their
events.
Start focusing on areas of
interest. Learn about the
requirements for careers of
interest– do they need
additional schooling? If so,
prepare to take the required
tests (like the LSAT or
GMAT). Attend Grad School
Prepare yourself to work in a
multi-cultural
environment by taking
QUIC’s Intercultural
Competency Certificate and
start thinking about work or
further studies abroad.
Apply to jobs or future
education, or make plans for
other adventures. Prepare
reference letters if you’re
applying to graduate school.
Make an appointment with
Career Services for help with
future plans.
1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Year
Final Year
workshops at Career
Services if interested.
Caution: *This map is meant as a guide to provide suggestions throughout your university career. The activities, resources, and careers mentioned are possibilities – you are not
restricted to them and you don’t have to follow this exact timeline. Every person (including you!) will find their own unique path through their degree at Queen’s and beyond
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Where could I go after graduation?
Administration
Advertising
Advocacy - Patient
Banking and commerce
Broadcasting - Radio and TV
Communications
Community Development
Consulting - Management
Corrections
Curriculum development
Diplomatic service
Editor
Foreign Service
Fundraising and event management
Government and politics
Hospitality and tourism
Immigration Services
Insurance
International Development
Interpreter
Journalism
Law
Management Consulting
Marketing
Media and publishing
Mediation and Labour Relations
Political analyst
Professor
Public relations
Research
Speech and Language Therapy
Teaching
Technical writing
Translation
*some careers may require additional training
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French Studies at Queen’s
Why study French Studies at Queen’s?
At Queen’s you can choose from a variety of courses dealing with oral and written French, literature and culture of France, Quebec
and francophone countries, linguistics, and business French. You will have opportunities to study or work in a francophone context
either in Quebec or Europe, through academic exchanges, work/study programs, and internships. A medial concentration is
available in French Linguistics.
What program options are there?

Major (Arts) – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Medial in French Linguistics – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Medial in French Studies – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Minor in French Studies with Bachelor of Arts or Science
See the department website for course requirements: queensu.ca/french
Getting what you need to succeed in the workplace
What do employers want?
In a recent survey from the Canadian Council of Chief Executives the top 6 skills sought by employers were:
1 People skills
2 Communication skills
3 Problem-solving skills
4 Analytical abilities
5 Leadership skills
6 Industry-specific Knowledge
How do I get the skills I need?
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It is important to develop a balanced skill set – many of which you will develop during your studies. To stand out from the crowd, gain experience
outside the classroom through the multitude of clubs and activities in and around Queen’s. Check out ideas in the Get Relevant Experience section
of this map.
What can I learn studying French Studies at Queen’s?

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


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Fluency or near-fluency in French
Knowledge of the syntax, grammar and vocabulary of the French language
Translation skills - translate documents from French into English
Oral and written communication – write papers and give presentations in French
Ability to work in groups in French
Research skills – conduct research in the French language
Understanding of the links between language and culture
Time management
What makes ME special?
You have a unique set of skills and experiences. Take the time to think about the skills you have personally developed at Queen’s. Explaining your
strengths with compelling examples will be important for applications to employers and further education. For help, check out the Career Services
skills workshop.
French Studies Major Map
How to use this map
• Got questions about careers and classes?
• Feeling a little lost or overwhelmed by choices?
• Wondering what you are “supposed” to be doing?
Use this map to plan for success in five overlapping areas of career and academic life. Each map helps you explore possibilities, set
goals and track accomplishments. To make your own custom map, use the My Major Map tool. Don’t stress if you haven’t done all
of the suggested activities. The map is not a prescription – it’s a tool for finding your own way at Queen’s.
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Support for Student Success
Aspect of Student Health
Personal and Physical Health
Socio-Cultural and Spiritual Health
Career and Professional Health
Academic and Intellectual Health
Emotional and Mental Health
Social and Interpersonal Health
See queensu.ca/studentaffairs for details
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Resources
Athletics and Recreation
Health Counselling and
Disability Services
Aboriginal Student Centre
International Centre
Chaplain
Outreach Counsellor
Cross-Cultural Counsellor
Town-Gown
Career Services
AMS
International Centre
Student Academic Success
Services: Learning
Strategies and the Writing Centre
Academic Advising
Adaptive Technologies
Learning Commons
Health Counselling and
Disability Services
Peer Support Centre
AMS
Rector
Residence Life
Student Experience Office
Queen’s Legal Aid
Department of French Studies
Faculty of Arts and Science
Kingston Hall, Room 301
103 Stuart Street
613.533.2090
queensu.ca/french
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