About PhD Program,
The graduate program in French at the University of Colorado Boulder offers students the opportunity to pursue their interest in literature and culture, working with faculty members who produce distinguished scholarship in a broad variety of fields. At the MA level, students are encouraged to take courses in many of those fields, and to become acquainted with a diversity of critical and theoretical approaches. At the PhD level, students are able to focus closely upon questions that fuel their intellectual curiosity, and to make their first major statements as young scholars. Entering students will discover in this program a community where the life of the mind is taken seriously, where hard work is valued, and where vigorous, critical inquiry is applauded.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
- A total of 15 courses at the 5000 level or above [includes courses taken at MA level], consisting of: At least 12 courses (5000 level or above) in French literature and culture. Up to 3 courses (5000 level or above) in a related field (e.g., Comparative Literature, English, Spanish, Classics, Linguistics, Romance Linguistics, Film Studies, History, Fine Arts, Education) to be determined in consultation with the Graduate Advisor.
- 30 hours of Dissertation Guidance (Graduate School Requirement) with no more than 10 hours taken before the completion of the PhD Comprehensive Examination.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Financial aid for qualified PhD students is available in the form of Teaching Assistantships, Graduate Part-Time Instructorships, and Graduate School Fellowships. Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Part-Time Instructorships normally include responsibility for lower-level language classes. The average stipend for this is approximately $26,000, and it carries with it a waiver of tuition costs. The exact stipend is based on the number of hours the student is teaching. Students with an excellent academic record and strong recommendations will be nominated by the department to the university-wide competition for Graduate School fellowships. If successful, such students may receive a stipend of up to $20,000 plus a waiver of tuition costs.
To be considered for these various forms of financial aid, the student must see to it that all credentials are received by January 15. Credentials are considered complete when the student has submitted: the Graduate School application, two official copies of transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended, three recommendations, a copy of the student’s critical work, the recordings, and the application fee. All students receiving financial aid must register for a minimum of two graduate courses per semester in the program or their equivalent until they have completed course requirements and passed the doctoral comprehensive examination.
To qualify for continued aid, students must maintain their full-time status. This means that they must have completed at least 5 credit hours of graduate-level course work or 8 credit hours of combined graduate- and undergraduate-level course work at the end of each semester; or if they have completed course requirements and the comprehensive examination, they must be registered for a minimum of 5 dissertation hours. PhD students continuing in the program usually receive a maximum of four years of financial support and are expected to complete the requirements for the degree during that time. PhD students entering from outside programs usually receive a maximum of five years of financial support.
Students are encouraged to visit the financial aid website for additional information and requirements in obtaining aid.
Application Requirement,
- An MA or an equivalent degree in French or a related field with a GPA of at least 3.0 in all French courses.
- Submit official GRE score if you would like to be considered for a fellowship nomination. The GRE scores are not mandatory for admission.
- Submission of the student’s MA thesis or a major graduate seminar paper.
- A one to two-page statement of purpose.
- Submit a diversity statement – optional.
- Strong recommendations from three professors with whom the student has worked.
- Good pronunciation in French as evidenced by an audio file submitted with the applicant. The applicant should read one or two very short selections of prose or poetry and a short autobiographical passage composed in French by the applicant her/himself.
- To be considered for admission, all credentials must be received in the department by January 15. (*Note: * Students who have earned their MA in French at the University of Colorado and who wish to work toward the PhD here must apply for admission to the PhD program; continuation after the MA is not guaranteed.)
Application Deadline,
Jan 15, 2025
Application Fee,
Applications fees are $60 for domestic applicants and $80 for international applicants.
