This program offers courses at all French language levels. Beginning and intermediate level courses focus primarily on French language skills. Starting at the intermediate level, courses are also offered in Culture and Civilization areas such as art, theater, literature, communications, history, and culture. All courses are taught in French and all participants are in the classroom with American and other international students.

Students enrolled in the French Language, Culture, and Civilization semester/year program at the Catholic University of Paris who place into the superior language level (fluent or nearly fluent) during the official placement exam have the option of replacing a portion of their curriculum with up to two or the equivalent of two classes with French students. On a case by case basis to be determined by the French university, students with advanced level proficiency may be offered this opportunity as well.

*Students may add an intensive month as a preface to any of the fall or year programs in Paris. Please see Intensive Month program.

Minimum GPA

Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.50.

Minimum Admissions Prerequisites

For beginning, intermediate, high intermediate, advanced, and superior level French speakers. Students must have a 2.5 GPA and must be at least 18 years of age.

*All students must take a two part French language placement exam, one portion before departure for the program and the other upon arrival in Paris. The exam will indicate each student's language proficiency level, and will determine the courses in which the student is eligible to enroll.

Please use the following only as a guideline to determine what each student's language level may be. Each semester/quarter is of COLLEGE-LEVEL French or the equivalent of:

0-3 Semesters/0-5 Quarters = Beginning level
4-5 Semesters/6-8 Quarters = Intermediate
6-7 Semesters/9-11 Quarters = High Intermediate
8-9 Semesters/12-14 Quarters = Advanced
Fluent/Native Speaker = Superior

Please note that a student's French language level in France is based on the standards of the French university.

Course Disclaimer

Course placement is often based on a placement test administered on-site.

There may be mandatory prerequisites for some of the courses offered. For a specific list of course prerequisites, please refer to the course listing/course descriptions for this program.