French

About the French major

The world languages and cultures major focuses on general knowledge of a country and its language, history, culture, political and economic systems, and literature. You'll gain skills in cognition, verbal abilities, competency in another language, cultural awareness, and an understanding of globalization. This major will help you learn the multiple connections between language, culture, and applications to other disciplines.

Skills and abilities this major develops: cultural competency, foreign language, public speaking, critical thinking, and communication (IU School of Liberal Arts, 2017).

Engaged learning experiences

Regardless of your major or future career, engaged learning is vital to your present and future. It makes you more marketable for jobs and professional schools upon graduation, it enables you to build deeper connections with faculty and staff in your field of study, and it makes your learning personal by connecting your interests and values with the curriculum from your classes. Check out the three ideas below for places to get started, or learn more at IU Indianapolis’s Institute for Engaged Learning website.

Service learning

We believe in our power and responsibility to help others. Each year, our students, faculty, and staff work to improve neighborhoods in Indianapolis and beyond through service learning courses, community-based research and service projects, and partnerships with local organizations. Join us if you want to make a difference.

Career services

The Office of Career Development prepares, supports, and advises students each step of their career paths—like finding internships and building your resume. They serve undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni.

Study abroad

Choose among programs in over 50 countries and nearly 20 languages, including English. Both shorter and longer immersion programs are also available.

Opportunities after graduation

Employment of interpreters and translators is projected to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 7,200 openings for interpreters and translators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as retirement (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023).

According to the IUPUI (now called IU Indianapolis) First Destination Survey in 2023, the average starting salary reported for the School of Liberal Arts graduates was $50,036, and the median salary was $47,840.

The national median annual salary for interpreters and translators was $57,090 in 2023 (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023).

(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)

World languages and cultures graduates often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas:

Business management
Communications
Education
English as a second language
Foreign language
International affairs
Journalism
Linguistics
Literature
Political science

Quick facts

Sample coursework

Immersion abroad experience
Islam, gender, and conflicts
Translation studies
World cultures through language
World language courses
World literature

Possible careers

Communications specialist
International student services
Legal analyst
Nonprofit program coordinator
Paralegal*
Translator/interpreter

*This career requires additional training or education.

Where could I work?

Business development
Community and social services
Nonprofit organizations
Religious ministries
Social work
State of Indiana

Complementing interests

IInvestigative

SSocial

EEnterprising

Get your interest code

Where to get more information

Department of World Languages and Cultures

American Translators Association

Liberal Arts Office of Career Development

Arts, Humanities, and Human Services Cluster

This major is part of the Arts, Humanities, and Human Services (AHHS) cluster. The AHHS cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in art and design, education, general studies, journalism, liberal arts, and social work. The AHHS cluster partners with students on their academic advising and career plans to guide them into their degree-granting schools.

Learn about the AHHS cluster

Learn about other clusters

Meet with an advisor or career consultant

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