The Department of French and Italian offers two undergraduate majors and three minors. The primary focus of instruction is on communication, with the goal of developing the greatest possible capability in comprehending and producing the target language, whether spoken, written, or in building socio-cultural competency. The department’s approach to courses is characterized in two ways: communicative, and integrated. Communicative courses emphasize the use of language in realistic settings, and integrated courses complement the language-learning experience with practice in an authentic context or by learning academic subject content.
Why Study French or Italian? Learn more about the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences' FRIT enrichment opportunities and the benefits of studying a world language at the University of Pittsburgh.
The goal of our programs is to help students develop a competency in both comprehending and producing the foreign language as well as in communicating with members of the target culture.
Explore the wide variety of courses available within the French and Italian Department.
The French division offers a complete language program which allows students to encounter the Francophone world through a broad selection of coursework.
The Italian division of the department offers a complete language-training program which allows students to encounter the Italian world through a broad selection of coursework.
Explore some of students' career paths and learn how a degree in French or Italian can provide you with desirable and marketable skills to succeed across multiple industries.
Contact the undergraduate advisors with any questions about the majors and minors. For those who declared a major or minor in either French or Italian, find out who your advisor is.
Studying abroad can be one of the most exciting and meaningful parts of your college experience, especially when it’s closely integrated with your on-campus studies.
Learn more about the criteria and requirements for students majoring in French or Italian to earn the Honors designation.
View available courses in your area of study.
Learn about our programs and the life-changing possibilities that mastering French or Italian can offer by exploring these frequently asked questions.
Interested in taking a French or Italian language course but unsure which level is appropriate for you? Find answers to this and other frequently asked questions here.
Explore the clubs and honor societies that can help you broaden your horizon while making connections that can help guide your academic and professional goals.
The French and Italian Department supports a collection of established prizes that recognize outstanding student scholarship in various areas of study.
The University of Pittsburgh believes that you need to master your content area of Italian or French during undergraduate education before learning how to teach your subject to students. Read more about foreign language teacher certification at Pitt.
The decision to open a DELF testing center at Pitt is a part of the French program’s efforts to rethink undergraduate education in French at a time when students are increasingly looking to combine French Studies with a diverse set of professional goals, including careers in medicine, business, engineering, media and arts management, and diplomacy and politics, among other fields.