About Master’s Program,
The M.A. in French language and literature (FRIT) provides students with a solid foundation in French and francophone literature, culture and film, in addition to French language and linguistics, introducing them to current research issues while providing training in higher education pedagogy.
Housed within the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, the M.A. in French language and literature offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that reflects the diversity and complexity of the French-speaking world. Rigorous training in innovative research methods allows students to pursue their own interests in the form of a Research Paper. The program also provides thorough pedagogical training and teaching experience in French language, literature and culture courses. Students who have graduated from our program have either pursued Ph.D. degrees at the University of Maryland and at other leading institutions, or have pursued exciting careers in foreign service, teaching and other fields.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
An overall Grade Point Average of at least 3.00 (on a four-point scale) at the undergraduate level is also required.
All students must complete courses from these three core categories:
1. One (1) course on Theory or History of Ideas
2. One (1) French linguistics course
3. At least three (3) culture/literature courses from three different periods
Apart from those core courses, with the help of the director of graduate studies and their advisor, students will create an individually-tailored program of study that best matches their interests to complete the course requirements towards their degree.
Additionally, graduate teaching assistants are expected to take a 1-credit practicum in their first semester (FREN709/SLLC601).
For additional information, please see the Graduate Student Handbook.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
All admitted Ph.D. students are offered four years of support while M.A. students are supported for the entirety of their two-year program. In each case, annual renewal of financial support is based on satisfactory performance and progress in the program. Stipends include tuition remission and health benefits are available as part of the funding packages. All applicants accepted into the M.A. or Ph.D. program are automatically offered for funding. We also sponsors a year-long exchange program with Université de Nice. During this time, students get to be “lecteurs d’anglais” while experiencing a rich and often life-changing cultural, linguistic, and intellectual immersion in the South of France and one of France’s most multicultural cities. The teaching exchange program also represents an outstanding research opportunity, especially for students specializing in literature and culture from France thanks to close access to archives, libraries, and cultural institutions.The program also offers a multitude of smaller funding opportunities in order to support our graduate students through their success and professionalization at the M.A. and Ph.D levels.
Application Requirement,
- Non-refundable application fee for each program
- Statement of Purpose. The statement should address relevant aspects of your educational experience, the focus of your academic interests and reasons for applying to our program.
- Unofficial transcripts of your entire college/university record (undergraduate and graduate). Electronic copies of these unofficial transcripts must be uploaded along with your online application.
- Three letters of recommendation. In your online application, please fully complete the information requested for your recommenders and ask them to submit their letters electronically.
- A single sample of critical writing written in French. A second sample is optional. While we encourage you to submit your best writing sample, we prefer a writing sample in your declared field of interest. If you are submitting an excerpted selection, please include a brief description or introduction to the selection. The MLA citation format is preferred.
- Description of Research/Work Experience (optional)
- Publications/Presentations (optional)
- Academic CV/Resume
Application Deadline,
Jan 15, 2025
Application Fee,
Graduate School application fee ($75).
