French, M.A.
The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree program in French at Saint Louis University offers a diverse curriculum in French language, cultures, and literatures, including Francophone studies, film, and gender studies. The master of arts is designed to suit the needs of those planning or already engaged in professional careers such as teaching or international affairs. At the same time, the program provides excellent preparation for studies in French beyond the master’s degree.
Double M.A. Degree
Through a partnership between Saint Louis University and the University of Poitiers in France, students have the opportunity to earn a double degree. Students who successfully complete the program will receive both a M.A. from the University of Poitiers and a M.A. in French from Saint Louis University.
Students selected for this exciting exchange program spend one academic year at each institution, studying French or comparative literature, image and politics. Students are selected during their first year of graduate studies and must apply and be accepted separately at SLU and the University of Poitiers.
Curriculum Overview
The program is suited to those planning or engaged in professional careers such as teaching or international affairs. At the same time, the degree program has a proven record in preparing those who elect to continue their studies beyond the M.A. level in French.
Qualified students may add a graduate minor in Spanish to their M.A. degree program in French. This combination can be an attractive option for those preparing to teach or work in an environment where competency in two Romance languages would be an asset.
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
In order to achieve optimal levels of linguistic and cultural proficiency in French, students may wish to participate in an approved program abroad. M.A. students have profited from coursework and cultural immersion in France, in Québec City (Université Laval) in Canada or at other universities. Qualified students may add a minor in Spanish to their M.A. degree in the French program.
Opportunities for professional development include participation in the annual SLU Graduate Student Symposium and SLU online student journal.
Careers
After graduating with a master’s degree in French, students might pursue a career as a teacher, foreign service officer or a translator.
Admission Requirements
An undergraduate major in French or the equivalent.
Applicants will be reviewed based on their GPA, TOEFL scores (for international applicants) and standardized test scores.
Application Requirements
- Application form and fee
- Transcript(s)
- Three letters of recommendation
- GRE score or Miller’s Analogy test score
- Résumé
- Interview (desired)
- Professional goal statement
- Writing sample in French
Requirements for International Students
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Application Deadlines
Students who want to be considered for an assistantship must submit their application by Feb. 1 for the fall semester.
The final deadline to apply for the fall semester is July 1 for U.S. applicants and May 1 for international applicants. The final deadline to apply for the spring semester is Dec. 1 for U.S. applicants and Oct. 1 for international applicants.
Review Process
The examining committee takes into account each item of the application.
Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid
For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, applicants should complete their applications by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate mastery of three areas of French and Francophone literature and culture before and after 1900.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate a command of written and oral French.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to analyze, formulate, express and concepts clearly in French.
- Graduates will be able to produce an original scholarly essay in French that provides ample evidence of skill in conducting literary research, performing literary analysis, and writing in a convincing and well-organized fashion.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| FREN 5100 | Critical Writing, Oral Expression & Research | 3 |
| Coursework prior to 1900 | ||
| Select three courses | 9 | |
| Coursework after 1900 | ||
| Select three courses | 9 | |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select three courses | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Graduate Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FREN 5040 | Methods & Techniques for Teaching French | 3 |
| FREN 5070 | Studies in Francophone Culture | 3 |
| FREN 5200 | Perceiving Others: US & France | 3 |
| FREN 5220 | French and Francophone Media | 3 |
| FREN 5290 | Women and Global Issues | 3 |
| FREN 5330 | French "Moralists" | 3 |
| FREN 5340 | Age of Enlightenment | 3 |
| FREN 5350 | Studies in 19th Century French Novel | 3 |
| FREN 5370 | Literature of the Fantastic | 3 |
| FREN 5390 | Studies in 20th Century French Prose | 3 |
| FREN 5410 | Early Modern French Poetry | 3 |
| FREN 5420 | Studies in 19th Century French Poetry | 3 |
| FREN 5510 | Early Modern French Theatre | 3 |
| FREN 5540 | Studies in 20th Century French Theatre | 3 |
| FREN 5220 | French and Francophone Media | 3 |
| FREN 5550 | Writers of Memory | 3 |
| FREN 5600 | Contemporary Women Writers: France & Quebec | 3 |
| FREN 5610 | French Cinema | 3 |
| FREN 5630 | Studies in Francophone Literature | 3 |
| FREN 5660 | Nation, Identity and Culture | 3 |
| FREN 5670 | Postcolonialism and Violence | 3 |
| FREN 5700 | Love & Honor Early Mod France | 3 |
| FREN 5710 | Women and Writing in Early Modern France | 3 |
| FREN 5850 | Seminar on Moliere | 3 |
| FREN 5860 | The World of Baudelaire | 3 |
| FREN 5870 | Exoticism in French Literature | 3 |
Non-Course Requirements
A final written project to be approved by the graduate examination committee or a written comprehensive examination.
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| FREN 5100 | Critical Writing, Oral Expression & Research 1 | 3 |
| FREN 5XXX | 3 | |
| FREN 5XXX | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| FREN 5XXX | 3 | |
| FREN 5XXX | 3 | |
| FREN 5XXX | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| FREN 5XXX | 3 | |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| FREN 5XXX | 3 | |
| FREN 5XXX | 3 | |
| FREN 5XXX | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
| 1 | Critical Writing, Oral Expression and Research – required for all incoming students |
Program Notes
The sequence of courses will vary according to the student’s previous experience with the language and individual preferences.
Nine credits of coursework in the period prior to 1900, and nine credits of coursework after the year 1900 are required. Additional requirements include a final scholarly essay or written examination and a final oral examination. Opportunities for student development include participation in the annual SLU Graduate Student Symposium and the annual departmental Undergraduate and Graduate Symposium.
Students have the option to study abroad in a French-speaking country during a summer, in an approved program, for up to six credits of transfer credits.