Course Planning

French - Where to Start?

The course planning advice here is limited to completing this major which is just one piece of the overall Hendrix College degree requirements.  For a full description of degree requirements see the Catalog.

Where should I start if I am just sampling this subject as a non-major?

    All entering students who have prior experience with French, including first-language and heritage speakers, are required to take a placement test. The Language Placement Exercise will be given during fall orientation.

  • Placement recommendations will be available before fall registration is complete. Unless these recommendations indicate otherwise, students should enroll in First Year French I (FREN 110).
  • Any student who is placed in First Year French II (FREN 120) or above, and completes that higher level course with a grade of C or better, will automatically receive college credit for First Year French I (FREN 110).
  • Students who test out of First Year French II (FREN 120) will have fulfilled the language capacity requirement (LA).

Where should I start if I might use this as part of a major or as a potential major?

    All entering students who have prior experience with French, including first-language and heritage speakers, are required to take a placement test. The Language Placement Exercise will be given during fall orientation. 

  • Placement recommendations will be available before fall registration is complete. Unless these recommendations indicate otherwise, students should enroll in First Year French I (FREN 110).
  • Any student who is placed in First Year French II (FREN 120) or above, and completes that higher level course with a grade of C or better, will automatically receive college credit for First Year French I (FREN 110).
  • Students who test out of First Year French II (FREN 120) will have fulfilled the language capacity requirement (LA).

Where should I start if I have some experience in this discipline before college?

    All entering students who have prior experience with French, including first-language and heritage speakers, are required to take a placement test. The Language Placement Exercise will be given during fall orientation.

  • Placement recommendations will be available before fall registration is complete. Unless these recommendations indicate otherwise, students should enroll in First Year French I (FREN 110).
  • Any student who is placed in First Year French II (FREN 120) or above, and completes that higher level course with a grade of C or better, will automatically receive college credit for First Year French I (FREN 110).
  • Students who test out of First Year French II (FREN 120) will have fulfilled the language capacity requirement (LA).

When should I declare a major?

  • All students must declare a major by March 1st of the sophomore year.