Applying Study Abroad Coursework Toward the Major and Minor

When determining whether coursework taken through Study Abroad will be credited toward Major or Minor course requirements, the Department looks for equivalent content at an equivalent level. Study Abroad courses must correspond in content and level to UCB upper division French courses required for the Major or Minor.

The following criteria determine if coursework is “equivalent”:

•  Course must be taught in French.
•  Course must be taken for a Letter Grade, with one exception.  With prior approval from the French Undergraduate Adviser, French majors can apply a maximum of one P/NP course per semester of study abroad in a full-immersion study abroad program toward satisfaction of French major requirements.  The P/NP option may not be applied to mandatory courses within the UCEAP program.
•  Content of the course must be equivalent to upper division French courses offered at UCB. This means most courses in French Literature, French Linguistics, French Film and Advanced French Language Study will be good candidates. A complete listing of French Dept. Courses can be found in the Berkeley Academic Guide.
•  Course hours must be (approximately) equivalent to upper division French courses offered at UCB (about 4 semester units).  Equivalent courses may be combined to satisfy credit hours.
•  Final approval of study abroad  coursework is contingent upon course grades and units posting to the student’s UC Berkeley transcript.
• Equivalent courses from study abroad can satisfy a maximum of 4 French Major course requirements for 16 semester units or 2 French Minor course requirements for 8 semester units.

The French Undergraduate Advising Office maintains a list of pre-approved study abroad courses that can be taken for credit in the major or minor in French.  Students are strongly encouraged to consult with the Undergraduate Advisor before going abroad (whether through Berkeley Study Abroad or through non-UC sponsored programs) in order to plan a  program of study that will count toward the French Major or Minor.

Important note regarding EAP course unit value for credit in Major or Minor: 

• In order to receive credit in French major or Minor, Unit value of equivalent  EAP coursework must average at least 4 semester units.   
• Pre-Approved courses may be combined for credit with approval of French Department Adviser.  
• If you do not see your course listed below, please submit course syllabus and reading list for approval via email to frendept@berkeley.edu.