MAJOR OVERVIEW
The Bachelor of Arts in French Studies (BAFS) provides students with an opportunity to earn an American BA degree in a French-speaking environment. Leveraging its location in Aix-en-Provence, France near the Mediterranean, ACM offers a program uniting mainland French with the Francophone countries of North Africa, ensuring that students are exposed to the rich diversity of the French language and culture. The BAFS prepares students for a variety of public and private careers in the international sector and provides them with a foundation to continue their education at the master level. Upon completion, graduates of the program will have the capability and tools to teach French, work as a translator or interpreter, be a public relations specialist, or they may pursue careers in business or government agencies.
ADMISSIONS
At the American College of the Mediterranean (ACM), we are committed to providing a seamless admissions experience for aspiring students of our French Studies major. Our program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in a global marketplace. Prospective students can begin their application process on August 1, with submissions opening on October 1 and closing on November 30. We encourage applicants to showcase their unique backgrounds and aspirations, as we value diversity and innovation in our academic community. Join us at ACM and embark on a transformative journey in French Studies.
Aug. 3, 2026
Application Available
Jan. 6, 2027
Priority Decision Deadline
May 5, 2027
Regular Decision Deadline
ACADEMICS
ACM’s Bachelor of Arts in French Studies requires students to satisfy the ACM Core Curriculum in addition to the following major-specific requirements. Students are required to take 6 credits per semester in French.
Lower Division (can be used for core curriculum credits), 12 credits required
- FRE 101 → 102 Practical Elementary French I → II
- FRE 102 → 201 Practical Elementary French II → Intermediate French I
- FRE 201 → 202 Intermediate French I → II
- FRE 202 – Intermediate French II+
- FRE/WNS 206 – An introduction to French Wine
- FRE 211 – Living in France: Intercultural Communication
- FRE 235 – The Phonetics of Contemporary French- Introduction
Electives (for 2 first years), 6 credits required
- ARC/ARH 312 – European and Mediterranean Prehistoric Art and Archaeology
- ART/ARH 201 – Survey of Western Art: Prehistory to Modern Times
- ART/ARH 320 – Picasso, Matisse, and the Mediterranean
- ART/ARH 382 – Cezanne and Van Gogh
- ART/ARH 381 – The XIXth Century and French Impressionism
- LIT/COM/ANTH 375 – The European City in Literature and the Visual Arts
- LIT 325 – The European Novel
- Upper-Division French, 27 credits required
- Language upper level: 9 credits required
- FRE 301 – Advanced French I: Structure and Expression
- FRE 302 – Advanced French II: Conversation and Composition
- FRE/LIN 335 –The Phonetics of Contemporary French
- FRE 379: Deep-Dive into the French Language: History, Acquisition and Teaching
- FRE 401: Translation and Structure I: From Colloquial to Literary
- FRE 402: Translation and Structure II: From Colloquial to Literary
- FRE/LING 412 – Contemporary French: The Linguistics of Everyday Language
- Cultural upper level: 9 credits required
- FRE 306 – Cross-Cultural Studies in Food and Culture
- BUS/FRE 311 – Business French
- FRE/HIS 328 – Provencal History and Culture through its Monuments
- FRE 333 – Contemporary France: Society, Politics, and Culture
- FRE/FLM 355 – France as Seen through its Movies: post-WWII to the 1970s
- FRE/FLM 356 – France as Seen through its Movies: The 1980s to Today
- FRE/POL 376 – Contemporary French Identities
- Literature upper level: 9 credits required: FRE/LIT 315 – Readings in French Literature I
- FRE/LIT 316 – Readings in French Literature II
- FRE/LIT 339/340 – French Children’s Literature: exploring Language, Culture and Society
- FRE/LIT 362/363 – Women and the Mediterranean
- FRE/LIT 414/415 – France and Francophone Literature, a Dialogue
- FRE 470/471 – Translation and Publishing Workshop
Required Course (4 credits): FRE/LIT/ART 411/413 – Cultural Approach of The Other; Literature, Art and Experiences in the new Cultural Spaces in Aix-en-Provence and the surrounding area.
Internship (3 credits)
Elective Independent Study (3 credits)
January Term Seminar (3 credits)
Total Major Credits: 59
J-TERM
As part of their degree, ACM students take part in a January Term program (J-Term), a multi-country traveling seminar. Travel spans from 2-3 weeks and explores the politics, economics, histories, and cultures of the countries visited. All ACM students are required to participate in J-Term within the first academic year of enrollment.
Undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in the Europe & the Islamic World, Great Cities, or Mediterranean Basin seminar in alignment with ACM’s Core Curriculum. Students must meet with their academic advisor to choose a seminar that best fits within their major and academic plan.
Diplomacy & Human Rights
in the Mediterranean
Europe & the
Islamic World
Great
Cities
International Business & Emerging Markets
Mediterranean
Basin
Theatre
Alive
Wine, Gastronomy, & Sustainability of the Mediterranean
HOUSING
ACM has different housing options in Aix-en-Provence available to undergraduate students, including homestays with a local host or student residence apartments.
All undergraduate students must live with a homestay during their first year of study. After their first year, they can request an ACM student residence apartment or non-program housing upon approval. Living in a homestay is a challenging yet enriching experience, and essential for students to immerse themselves in French language and culture at the start of their ACM experience.
TUITION AND AID
|
Bachelor of Arts 2026-2027 |
Fall 12-18 Units |
Spring 12-18 Units |
Academic Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $11,900 | $11,900 | $23,800 |
|
Student Life Fees |
$2,500 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| Housing | $5,500 | $5,500 | $11,000 |
| Total | $19,900 | $19,900 | $39,800 |
Operational costs are sometimes affected by factors over which ACM has no control. Therefore, the charges and financial aid policies quoted on our website and in the catalog are subject to change without notice.
Scholarships & Aid
The American College of the Mediterranean (ACM) offers several scholarships, grants, and work-study opportunities to its students each year. ACM strives to keep its published costs low, especially in comparison to many U.S.-based degree-granting institutions. Additional funding is provided for those who qualify for merit, diversity, and need-based awards.
If you are planning to apply for aid, you will need to submit the required materials along with your program application, as ACM reviews both simultaneously on a rolling admissions basis. To be eligible for ACM scholarships and grants, students must be enrolled full-time and abide by all ACM policies and regulations as stated on the policies page. Please contact admissions@acmfrance.org with any questions.
For details about how ACM awards aid, please read the Financial Aid & Scholarship Process document.
CAREER PATHS
The Bachelor of Arts in French Studies opens doors to a variety of exciting career paths. Graduates can pursue roles in multinational corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Common career options include international marketing manager, global supply chain analyst, and cross-cultural consultant. With a strong foundation in business principles and cultural awareness, students are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the global marketplace. Whether you aspire to work in finance, trade, or diplomacy, this program prepares you for a successful and impactful career.
CENTRE D'ETUDES FRANÇAISES (CEF)
The Centre d’Etudes Françaises is the home of IAU’s French Honors Program as well as all French language courses taught at IAU. The courses and classes instructed here are dedicated to the study of French language, literature, history, theater and culture. On the bottom floor students can relax in the “Cave” and grab a snack in the Denise Malrieu Student Lounge. Student lockers are also located in the building, allowing students to store their books and other personal items. The IAU library is located on the second floor and is open to students and Resident Fellows for studying and research. The top floor houses several offices for IAU staff and administrators.