Dec 06, 2025  
2025-2026 University Catalog 
    
2025-2026 University Catalog

French: World Languages Teaching Concentration, BA

Location(s): West Lafayette


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About the Program


The faculty and staff of the French section of the School of Languages and Cultures at Purdue University offer a full range of undergraduate and graduate courses in language, literature, linguistics, second language acquisition, pedagogy, and film. We also have many options for study abroad programs in France, from Spring Break, to full academic year, or semester-long programs. Undergraduates may opt to major or minor in French. Graduate students pursue either a Master’s degree and/or a Ph.D. Our graduate students receive teaching assistantships. We are a vibrant, international team with diverse research, teaching, and social interests.

Please visit French for more information.

The Teaching Track prepares students to teach French in grades 5-12. Students will take courses in the School of Languages and Cultures and in the College of Education, will do student teaching in a local school, and upon successful completion of the degree program, will receive the teaching licensure required to teach in Indiana public schools.

This program meets state and national licensure standards and is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the State of Indiana, State Board of Education. See Teacher Licensure Information in the plan below.

Degree Requirements


120 Credits Required

Liberal Arts Curriculum


Each liberal arts major is designed as a four-year plan of study and includes three types of courses: Major, Core, and Elective. Most students take five courses per semester, with some of each type.

Professional academic advisors meet individually with each of our students on a regular basis to help with course selection, academic planning, and career development, as well as to help students find additional resources on campus.

Departmental/Program Major Course Requirements (80 credits)


Pre-Requisite Courses


Before undertaking the major, students must establish proficiency equivalent to French Level IV. Proficiency may be established by taking and passing FR 20200, by exam, or by other evidence acceptable to the School of Languages & Cultures. If courses are taken for credit, the credits will be applied to Electives.

French Major (33 credits)


Area A - French Languages Courses (6 credits)


Area B - French Literature Course (3 credits)


Education Track (24 credits)


Area D - French Culture Course (3 credits)

Choose one.

Area E - French Electives (12 credits)

  • Twelve hours chosen by the student from French courses at the 30000 level or above
  • At least 6 hours MUST be at the 40000-level or above.
  • Courses listed in Areas C & D which were not used may count among the requirements in E.
  • No more than 3 hours may be taken in English.

Professional Education Requirements (47 credits)


World Languages Teaching Concentration (44 credits)


Learner Specialty Pathway Selective (3 credits)


Choose one course from one of the learner specialty pathway areas below. Students can elect to take additional coursework to complete a full concentration if they choose, but it is not required. See the links for concentration requirements

If you desire additional information regarding the Learner Specialty Pathway Concentrations, please reach out to your academic advisor or visit the Learner Specialty Concentrations tab found here.

Other Departmental (12 credits)


Core III: Linguistic Diversity (0 credits)


Proficiency through Level IV in one world language. Courses may be required to reach Level IV proficiency; these courses will be counted toward electives.

Foundational Requirements (12 credits)


Students must complete approved coursework that meet the following foundational outcomes.

  • Humanities - FR 30100. (UCC:HUM)
  • Behavioral/Social Science - EDCI 28550 or EDPS 23500. (UCC: BSS)
  • Information Literacy - EDCI 27000. (UCC: IL)
  • Science #1 - all approved courses accepted. (UCC: SCI)
  • Science #2 - all approved courses accepted. (UCC: SCI)
  • Science, Technology, and Society - all approved courses accepted. (UCC: STS)
  • Written Communication - EDCI 20500. (UCC: WC)
  • Oral Communication - EDCI 49800. (UCC: OC)
  • Quantitative Reasoning - all approved courses accepted. (UCC: QR)

Notes


  • Double counting of courses is allowed across the various categories.
  • All accredited programs whose accreditation is threatened by CLA Core requirement, both professional BAs and BFAs, are exempt from Liberal Arts Core I & II in order to meet accreditation standards and requirements. Liberal Arts Core III: Linguistic Diversity is still required for such programs.
  • “Degree +” students (students with a second major outside of Liberal Arts) are exempt from the CLA Core.

Electives (31 credits)


Grade Requirements


  • Students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in each course used for the major.

GPA Requirements


  • A minimum GPA of B- (2.67/4.0) in the major is also required for the student to graduate with a French major.
  • 2.0 Graduation GPA required for Bachelor of Arts degree.
  • 2.5 Overall GPA is required for the Teacher Education Program.

Teacher Licensure Information


Successful completion of the Purdue University French-Education Track Program, French-Education Track, BA, and the State of Indiana licensure requirements results in an Indiana initial instructional License in French (5-12), and Blended and Online Teaching (5-12). Contact the Office of Teacher Education and Licensure for additional information regarding Teacher Education and licensure requirements.

Office of Teacher Education and Licensure

Teacher Education Program (TEP) Requirements and Milestones

Indiana Licensure information - Each student must meet all degree, program, and licensure requirements prior to being recommended for licensure.

  • 2.5 Overall GPA is required for the Teacher Education Program.
  • Students must successfully progress through Milestone A to enroll in any Professional Education **Restricted Methods course.
  • Successful completion of all Major, Professional Education (including all Foundations Courses with linked Foundations Portfolio Common Assessments and **Restricted Methods Courses), Learner Specialty Concentration/Pathway, and degree courses are required prior to Milestone C. Program limitations restrict additional courses to be taken simultaneously with or following student teaching without advance authorization.
  • Successful completion of all Foundations Portfolio Common Assessments are required prior to Milestone D.
  • Blended and online Teaching licensure requirements are embedded into coursework for all Undergraduate Licensure Programs.
  • Beginning July 1, 2025 - According to the Indiana State Board of Education, students seeking an Initial Indiana License in a content area involving literacy instruction, including special education, must obtain an early literacy endorsement, Science of Reading (P-5), as required under IC 20-28-5-19.7.

Course/Credit Notes & Requirements


  • Area E: Twelve hours chosen by the student from French courses at the 30000 level or above
  • Area E: At least 6 hours MUST be at the 40000-level or above.
  • Courses listed in Areas C & D which were not used may count among the requirements in E.

World Languages Teaching Oral Proficiency Requirement


World Languages Education students must pass the Oral Proficiency Interview test for their language prior to degree completion.

Score requirements:

  • Chinese: Intermediate-High
  • French: Advanced-Low
  • German: Advanced-Low
  • Japanese: Intermediate-High
  • Latin: Exempt
  • Spanish: Advanced-Low

Information regarding the test can be found here.

College of Liberal Arts Pass/No Pass Option Policy


  • P/NP cannot be used to satisfy Liberal Arts Core, Liberal Arts major, minor, or certificate requirements.

University Requirements


University Core Requirements


For a complete listing of University Core Course Selectives, visit the University Senate Website.
  • Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Science (UCC: BSS)
  • Human Cultures: Humanities (UCC: HUM)
  • Information Literacy (UCC: IL)
  • Oral Communication (UCC: OC)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (UCC: QR)
  • Science #1 (UCC: SCI)
  • Science #2 (UCC: SCI)
  • Science, Technology, and Society (UCC: STS)
  • Written Communication (UCC: WC) 

Civics Literacy Proficiency Requirement


The Civics Literacy initiative is designed to develop civic knowledge of Purdue students to graduate a more informed citizenry. For more information visit the Civics Literacy - Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning - Purdue University.

To obtain the Civics Literacy credential, all Baccalaureate degree seeking students will complete the  Civics Literacy Podcast pathway - Complete 12 podcasts created by the Purdue Center for C-SPAN Scholarship & Engagement that use C-SPAN material and pass the required quizzes per episode.  After the pathway has been successfully completed, students will take the Civics Literacy knowledge test.  Civics Literacy does not impact a student’s GPA or bear any finical costs. 

More details about each pathway and how to complete the requirement can be found on the Civics Literacy Student Dashboard in myPurdue.

Upper Level Requirement


  • Resident study at Purdue University for at least two semesters and the enrollment in and completion of at least 32 semester hours of coursework required and approved for the completion of the degree. These courses are expected to be at least junior-level (30000+) courses.
  • Students should be able to fulfill most, if not all, of these credits within their major requirements; there should be a clear pathway for students to complete any credits not completed within their major.

Additional Information


  • Liberal Arts offers a streamlined plan of study for students pursuing a second degree outside CLA. Contact the CLA Advising Office for more information.

Sample 4-Year Plan


Fall 1st Year


15 Credits


Spring 1st Year


15 Credits


Fall 2nd Year


15 Credits


15 Credits


Fall 3rd Year


15 Credits


Spring 3rd Year


15 Credits


Fall 4th Year


18 Credits


Spring 4th Year


12 Credits


Learning Outcomes for Education Programs


As a CAEP-accredited College of Education, Purdue’s teacher education licensure programs align to the common set of  InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards, informing program outcomes as follows:
 
Program Outcome 1: Learner Development
Based on InTASC Standard 1
The teacher candidate understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
 
Program Outcome 2: Learning Differences
Based on InTASC Standard 2
The teacher candidate uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
 
Program Outcome 3: Learning Environments
Based on InTASC Standard 3
The teacher candidate works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
 
Program Outcome 4: Content Knowledge
Based on InTASC Standard 4
The teacher candidate understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he/she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
 
Program Outcome 5: Application of Content
Based on InTASC Standard 5
The teacher candidate understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
 
Program Outcome 6: Assessment
Based on InTASC Standard 6
The teacher candidate understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learners’ decision making.             
 
Program Outcome 7: Planning for Instruction
Based on InTASC Standard 7
The teacher candidate plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
 
Program Outcome 8: Instructional Strategies
Based on InTASC Standard 8
The teacher candidate understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas in their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
 
Program Outcome 9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice
Based on InTASC Standard 9
The teacher candidate engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate this/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
 
Program Outcome 10: Leadership and Collaboration
Based on InTASC Standard 10
The teacher candidate seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning; to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth; and to advance the profession.
 
In addition to the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards shared across teacher education licensure programs, each licensure program also aligns to professional sets of standards specific to their discipline. Below is a reference guide to the additional layer of program oversight and outcome expectations, running parallel to InTASC expectations.

Pre-Requisite Information


For pre-requisite information, log in to mypurdue.purdue.edu and click here.

World Language Courses


World Language proficiency requirements vary by program. The following list is inclusive of all world languages PWL offers for credit; for acceptable languages and proficiency levels, see your advisor. (ASL-American Sign Language; ARAB-Arabic; CHNS-Chinese; FR-French; GER-German; GREK-Greek(Ancient); HEBR-Hebrew(Biblical); HEBR-Hebrew(Modern); ITAL-Italian; JPNS-Japanese; KOR-Korean; LATN-Latin; PTGS-Portuguese; RUSS-Russian; SPAN-Spanish)

Critical Course


The ♦ course is considered critical.

In alignment with the Degree Map Guidance for Indiana’s Public Colleges and Universities, published by the Commission for Higher Education (pursuant to HEA 1348-2013), a Critical Course is identified as “one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major. Students who want to be nurses, for example, should know that they are expected to be proficient in courses like biology in order to be successful. These would be identified by the institutions for each degree program.”

Disclaimer


The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements. Consultation with an advisor may result in an altered plan customized for an individual student. The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.

Comparative information about Purdue University and other U.S. educational institutions is also available through the College Navigator tool, provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, and through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

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