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. Students can further enhance their qualifications by earning a Certificate in French Language and Culture, ideal for returning to France or programs like TAPIF, or a Certificate in Translation and Publishing, which prepares them for a career in literary translation with practical knowledge of editorial jargon and copyright regulations. 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, 12 credits required
- FRE 151—Immersive Elementary French I then II (6 credits)
- FRE 251—Immersive Elementary French II then Intermediate French I (6 credits)
- FRE 252—Immersive Intermediate French I then II (6 credits)
- FRE 201—Intermediate French I (3 credits)
- FRE 202—Intermediate French II (3 credits)
- FRE 203—Intermediate-Advanced French (3 credits)
- FRE 211—Intermediate French: Living in France (3 credits)
- FRE/WGS 206—An Introduction to French Wine (1 credit)
- FRE/LIN 235—The Phonetics of Contemporary French: Introduction (3 credits)
Upper Division French, 24 credits required
Language Courses: 6 credits required
- FRE 301—Advanced French I: Structure and Expression (3 credits)
- FRE 302—Advanced French II: Conversation and Composition (3 credits)
- FRE/LIN 335—The Phonetics of Contemporary French (3 credits)
- FRE/LIN 379—Deep-Dive into the French Language: History, Acquisition, and Learning (3 credits)
- FRE 401—Translation and Structure I: From Colloquial to Literary (3 credits)
- FRE 402—Translation and Structure II: From Colloquial to Literary (3 credits)
- FRE/LIN 412—Contemporary French: The Linguistics of Everyday Language (3 credits)
Cultural Courses: 9 credits required
- FRE/SOC 306—Cross-Cultural Studies in Food and Culture (3 credits)
- FRE/BUS 311—Business French (3 credits)
- FRE/FLM 325—France as Seen Through its Movies: Post-WWII to the 1970s (3 credits)
- FRE/FLM 326—France as Seen Through its Movies: The 1980s to Today (3 credits)
- FRE/SOC 333—Contemporary France: Society, Politics, and Culture (3 credits)
- FRE 337—Certificate in French Language and Culture: Seminar (3 credits)
- FRE/HIS 348—Provençal History and Culture Through its Monuments (3 credits)
- FRE/POL 376—Contemporary French Identities (3 credits)
Literature Courses: 9 credits required
- FRE/LIT 315—Introduction to French Literature (3 credits)
- FRE/LIT 344—French Children’s Literature: Powers of Imagination from Picture Books to Young Adult Fiction (3 credits)
- FRE/LIT 345—French Children’s Literature: Exploring French Culture Through Classics and Modern Classics (3 credits)
- FRE/LIT 362—Women and the Mediterranean: From the 16th to the 19th Century (3 credits)
- FRE/LIT 363—Women and the Mediterranean: From the 18th to the 21st Century (3 credits)
- FRE/LIT 383—Writing in the Mediterranean: The Meeting of Literature and Regional Culture (3 credits)
- FRE/POL 417—Dissent in the Mediterranean: From Albert Camus to Leïla Slimani (3 credits)
- FRE 470—Translation and Publishing I: Workshop (3 credits)
- FRE 471—Translation and Publishing II: Workshop (3 credits)
French Honors Program, 7 credits required
Note: All BAFS students complete the following as required components of the major.
French Honors Seminar Course
- FRE/LIT 411—Cultural Approach of the Other: Honors Seminar (4 credits)
French Honors Capstone
- FRE 480—Capstone Course/Project (3 credits)
Internship Course (3 credits)
January Term Seminar (3 credits)
Total Major Credits: 49
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.
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 2027-2028 |
Fall 12-18 Units |
Spring 12-18 Units |
Academic Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $12,500 | $12,500 | $25,000 |
| Program Fee** | $2,800 | $2,800 | $5,600 |
| Housing & Student Life Fee*** | $5,800 | $5,800 | $11,600 |
| Total | $21,100 | $21,100 | $42,200* |
Commitment Fee (due upon admission): $500
January Term Program Fee (3 Credits): $3,950
*All ACM students are required to complete one January Term course as a graduation requirement.
Summer Program Fee (3-6 Credits): $4,000
*Summer programs are optional for undergraduate students.
Student Life Fee (for students in approved non-program housing): $2,200
*This fee is in lieu of the above stated Housing & Student Life Fee
- Semester: $2,200
- Summer: $1,000
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
Outcomes and Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the BAFS, students will:
- Demonstrate oral and written proficiency in the French language appropriate to advanced undergraduate study.
- Communicate effectively in academic, social, and professional contexts within French and Francophone cultures.
- Analyze literary, historical, and cultural texts from both mainland France and the broader Francophone world.
- Engage meaningfully with the cultural diversity of the Francophone world, including North Africa and the Mediterranean.
- Apply cross-cultural understanding to real-world settings through experiential learning in a French speaking environment.
- Demonstrate preparedness for graduate study or careers in education, translation, public relations, business, or international service.
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.