Degree Options
Based on their interests, students may choose among the following tracks:
- French literature track
- Romance languages track (combining French and Spanish)
- Linguistics track (combining French with Linguistics)
Course Requirements
- 60 credit hours of coursework (54 credit hours for candidates who have completed an approved master’s thesis for 6 credit hours). Up to 30 credit hours may be transferred from a recent MA, assuming applicability and acceptability of the proposed courses for transfer.
- Both the French literature track and the romance languages track
- require 1 course (3 credit hours) on general literary theory
- allow up to 4 courses (12 credit hours) outside of the French program, with approval from the graduate adviser
- The linguistics track requires
- 27 credit hours of coursework in Linguistics
- 1 course (3 credit hours) on linguistic research methodology
- 30 credit hours of coursework in French electives
Other Requirements
- Successful completion of a qualifying examination including the successful defense of a prospectus (a formal presentation of a proposed dissertation research topic). For more information, consult
- Reading knowledge of one language other than English, French, and the candidate’s native language
- Completion and acceptance of a doctoral dissertation on an appropriate topic (corresponding to a minimum of 24 credit hours of FR 699)
- There is a time limit for completion of all degree requirements and there is a campus residency requirement. Consult the general Academic Policies of the Graduate School for details.
For more information on our graduate programs in French, contact
- French literature: Dr. Carmen Mayer
- French linguistics: Dr. Carmen Mayer