French Language Teacher Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring educators, this program equips students with the advanced linguistic proficiency, pedagogical expertise, and cultural insight needed to teach French effectively across K–12 and postsecondary settings. It integrates language acquisition theory with practical classroom training to cultivate skilled, confident instructors capable of fostering deep linguistic and cross-cultural understanding.
- Advanced French Language Proficiency: Develops mastery in spoken, written, and academic French, emphasizing precision, fluency, and stylistic nuance across diverse contexts.
- Second Language Acquisition Theory: Explores cognitive, sociocultural, and developmental principles underlying how individuals learn and internalize a new language.
- Curriculum Design and Instructional Strategies: Focuses on creating effective, standards-aligned lesson plans and implementing evidence-based teaching methods tailored to diverse learners.
- French and Francophone Cultures: Provides in-depth study of historical, literary, artistic, and societal dimensions of French-speaking regions worldwide.
- Assessment and Evaluation Techniques: Teaches how to design, implement, and interpret formative and summative assessments that accurately measure language competence and progress.
- Classroom Management and Technology Integration: Prepares educators to maintain productive learning environments and leverage digital tools to enhance language instruction.
French Language Teacher Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
French Language Teacher Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with French Language Teacher Education degrees, including Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,773,170 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1124 | $77,010 | $47,090 - $134,960 | 21,170 | N/A |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2031 | $64,580 | $47,330 - $104,670 | 1,072,540 | N/A |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 25-2022 | $62,970 | $47,050 - $100,980 | 620,370 | N/A |
French Language Teacher Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $53,133 in Mississippi to $96,855 in California—a 82% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,773,170 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for French Language Teacher Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 21 institutions offering French Language Teacher Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in French Language Teacher Education is found at Niagara University (8 graduates), Harding University (2 graduates), University of Delaware (UD) (2 graduates), Augustana College (2 graduates), and Calvin University (2 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 35 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | Niagara University, New York | Private | niagara.edu |
| Harding University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Searcy, Arkansas | Private | harding.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Augustana College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Rock Island, Illinois | Private | augustana.edu |
| Calvin University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | calvin.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Master's
|
2 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Cortland, New York | Public | www2.cortland.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Indiana University (IUSB) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | South Bend, Indiana | Public | iusb.edu |
| Wichita State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| CUNY Brooklyn College |
Master's
|
1 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Post-Master's
|
1 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Master's
|
1 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
|
1 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
|
1 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Fredonia, New York | Public | fredonia.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Lee University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Cleveland, Tennessee | Private | leeuniversity.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about French Language Teacher Education programs
How much can I earn with a French Language Teacher Education degree?
Salaries for French Language Teacher Education graduates vary by role and location. Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $77,010 annually, while Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $72,090. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $96,855 compared to $53,133 in Mississippi. Approximately 1,773,170 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest French Language Teacher Education programs?
Currently 21 accredited institutions offer French Language Teacher Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Niagara University (8 graduates), Harding University (2 graduates), and University of Delaware (UD) (2 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in French Language Teacher Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 101 in 2010 to a peak of 45 in 2020, before declining slightly to 35 in 2023-24. This represents a 65% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a French Language Teacher Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary, and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education. Related occupations employ approximately 1,773,170 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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