Academics

Students studying on the Skidmore in France program will enroll in at least 15 credits through the University of Minnesota Montpellier program center and at one of a partner institutions. Each student is required to take at least one French language course at the appropriate level. Students select from one of three tracks either Language and Culture (French taught courses), Business (English taught courses) or Psychology (English taught courses).

Starting in Fall 2024,  all courses will be recorded as Skidmore credit on your transcript and factored into a student's GPA. 

Students will typically take 5 classes in Montpellier. Each track has slightly different course requirements. Please see below for required courses.

Language and Culture (French)

• Advanced Grammar & Methodology course at the appropriate level - REQUIRED
• Writing in French or Phonetics course - REQUIRED
• Direct enroll course at University Paul Valèry or University of Montpellier (taught in French) - REQUIRED
• 2 additional elective courses taught at either the UMN center or a partner institution. Students can also opt to do an internship for credit.

Business in France (English)

• French language course (beginner to advanced) - 5 credits - REQUIRED
• Global Business & Industry: France at the Crossroads – 3 credits - REQUIRED
• Two direct enroll course at IAE or Montpellier Management Institute (taught in English or French) – 6 credits total – REQUIRED
• One additional elective courses taught at either the UMN center or a partner institution.
• Student can also opt to do a community engagement seminar and placement for credit. These are offered in English and/or French and operate much like an internship.

Youth Development and Psychology

• French Language course (beginner to advanced) - 5 credits - REQUIRED
• Resilience in Children & Youth: Global Perspectives - 3 credits - REQUIRED
• Community Engagement - 3 credits - REQUIRED
• Two additional elective courses taught at the UMN center. 

Students also have the option of taking Education courses at the UMN center.  If interested, please contact the Skidmore OCSE Program Manager.

UMN Center Courses

The Program Center hosts courses taught by local faculty for the students on the UMN program.  The center hosts a few English taught courses which Skidmore students have access to, if interested.

English taught elective courses at the center include:

• Cross-Cultural Psychology
• Language Development from a Cross-Cultural Perspective
• Introduction to Child Psychology
• French Writers: Transformations in French and Francophone Society from 1945 to the Present through the Eyes of Novelists.
• French (R)evolutions: Transformations in French society from 1945 to the present through the eyes of filmmakers
• Community Engagement
• Adolescent Psychology
• Resilience in Children & Youth: Global Perspectives
• Sustainable Development & Food Production in the Mediterranean Landscape

French taught electives at the center or UPV International Program include (depending on semester):

• Medieval French Literature: Mysteries, Marvels and Monsters
• Medieval French Literature: Arthurian Legends
• Civilizations of the South (UPV)
• Art History: From Modern to Contemporary (UPV)
• Advanced Conversation
• Contemporary French Civilization
• French Cinema: Masculine-Feminine – France through the Lens of the Cinema (UPV)
• Theater: Theory & Practice of the live performance (UPV)

Partner institutions

Students are required to take at least one course from partner institutions in Montpellier. Depending on the track you enroll in, Language & Culture or Business, and whether you take classes in English or French, will determine which institution students will enroll. The Skidmore OCSE and UMN staff will help students to find appropriate courses and get Skidmore course equivalents. All courses below are subject the availability and schedule.

University Paul Valèry - French taught courses in the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences.    SAMPLE COURSES

University of Montpellier (French and English taught courses in biology, environmental studies, economics, political science, sociology, psychology and management).    SAMPLE COURSES

Institut d’Administration des Enterprises (IAE)English taught courses in the Bachelor of International Management in Business degree. There are several topics offered each semester and there are two courses/modules (for a total of 3 credits) that are taught within that topic. Students must take both courses/modules within the topic. 

  SAMPLE COURSES

Institut Montpellier Management (MOMA) Mostly French taught courses (but some English courses might be available) in finance, accounting, marketing, strategy, human resources, economy and law. Courses are in the Management or International Management programs. 

  SAMPLE COURSES

Actual course offerings at the partner institutions will vary each semester depending on what is being offered, schedules and students’ academic needs. The exact list of courses available at outside institutions will be provided during an academic advising appointment before you depart and the UMN staff will assist you in registration at the partner institutions.

Internships

Internship experiences are also available to participants with a high-intermediate level (usually the equivalent of at least 4 semesters of French language, WLF-208 or above). In addition to the seminar, students spend between 8-10 hours per week at their internship site. A variety of different internships are available. To see a sample of past internships, click here.