Some Windsor-Essex students who want to pursue a post-secondary education in the French language will be able to do so at the University of Windsor next year.

Come September, the school will offer a new bachelor degree program in political science in English and French. A total of 14 courses will be offered in French.

Cheryl Collier, who teaches in the Political Science Department at the University of Windsor, said there is a demand for French-language courses in the region.

'I think this reflects well on the French heritage that is pretty prevalent in this area.'— Cheryl Collier

"There's been a number of French immersion programs that have been quite successful across the area," Collier said.

"I think this reflects well on the French heritage that is pretty prevalent in this area of Ontario."

Collier said the program will help those who want to want to work in the public service.

"Without the French language skill set, you can only go so far in the bureaucracy and … the hierarchy of promotion," she said.

"This is just an obvious career path for people who want to use their French-language training, and it's not just inside of Canada. Diplomats that are representing Canada need to be able to offer services and converse in both official languages."

Collier said as part of the the new bilingual political science program, students in their third year will be able to attend a number of courses at the University of Ottawa.