Academic Programs Catalog

College of Arts and Letters

Department of Romance and Classical Studies

Graduate Study
French and Francophone Studies - Master of Arts

The Master of Arts degree in French and Francophone Studies provides students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of French and Francophone literatures, cultures, and linguistics while developing the skills necessary to engage these fields in a critical, professional way. The Master of Arts in French and Francophone Studies is the first step in any number of careers, teaching in secondary schools or community colleges, working in government or industry (interdisciplinary studies concentration), or pursuing further study in a doctoral program (both concentrations).

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Arts and Letters, students must also meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be admitted to the Master of Arts degree program in French on regular status, an applicant must have:

  1. A bachelor's degree in French, or have completed the courses in French that are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in French at Michigan State University or their equivalents.
  2. A grade–point average of at least 3.00 in undergraduate French language and literature courses.
  3. Letters of recommendation from three professors who are qualified to assess the applicant's ability to pursue advanced graduate study in French.
  4. Academic writing samples in French and English.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in French and Francophone Studies

The program is available under Plan A (with thesis) and  Plan B (without thesis). A total of 33 or 34 credits is required for the degree. The student’s program of study must be approved by the graduate advisor. The student must meet the requirements specified below:

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B
Complete one of the following concentrations (33 or 34 credits):
Interdisciplinary Studies
1. The following course (3 credits):
ROM 803 Foundations of Contemporary Language Teaching 3
2. Complete 18 credits from the following courses:
FRN 810 Understanding the Early Modern Culture in the Francosphere 3
FRN 820 Minority Perspectives in the Francosphere 3
FRN 830 Language(s) in the Francosphere 3
FRN 840 Understanding France through Literary and Cultural Productions 3
FRN 850 Francophone Postcolonial and Cultural Studies 3
FRN 890 Independent Study 3
3. Complete 9 credits of electives approved by the academic advisor which includes a research methods course.
Literary and Cultural Studies
1. The following course (3 credits):
ROM 803 Foundations of Contemporary Language Teaching 3
2. Complete 21 credits from the following courses:
FRN 810 Understanding the Early Modern Culture in the Francosphere 3
FRN 820 Minority Perspectives in the Francosphere 3
FRN 830 Language(s) in the Francosphere 3
FRN 840 Understanding France through Literary and Cultural Productions 3
FRN 850 Francophone Postcolonial and Cultural Studies 3
FRN 890 Independent Study 3
Additional courses at the 800-level as approved by the academic advisor.
3. Complete 3 credits in a research methods or critical theory course approved by the academic advisor.
4. Complete 3 credits of elective approved by the academic advisor.
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1. Complete 4 credits of FRN 899 Master’s Thesis Research.
2. Pass a final oral examination that covers the student’s program of study, thesis, and reading list.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
1. Complete 3 credits of FRN 898 Master’s Research Project.
2. Pass a final oral examination that covers the student’s program of study, master’s research project, and reading list.