World Languages and Cultures, MA: French and Francophone Studies MA
The MA in World Languages and Cultures is an interdisciplinary MA degree program focused on global languages, literatures and cultures. With over 50 faculty from multiple departments, the Department of World Languages and Cultures offers a highly flexible program of study tailored to your professional goals.
Students may complete one of the following concentrations: French and Francophone Studies; German Language, Literature, and Culture, and Spanish and Hispanophone Language, Literature, and Culture. Students may also pursue the joint Master of Library and Information Science/Master of World Languages and Cultures coordinated degree.
Program Type
Master’s
Program Format
On Campus
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Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Admission
An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus these program requirements to be considered for admission to the program:
- Knowledge of a language other than English. Entrance competencies for specific concentrations are as follows:
- Language concentrations: an undergraduate major in the language, or comparable background, such as coursework, a significant immersion experience, or native fluency combined with appropriate academic training.
- Submission to the WLC MA Program of a well-developed statement of approximately 500 words outlining the applicant’s academic background and interests, reasons for graduate study in the WLC program, intended concentration and professional goals.
Applicants who meet general Graduate School requirements (an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75) and the above program requirements may be admitted in good standing.
Upon recommendation of the WLC Graduate Coordinating Committee, an applicant lacking in course background may be admitted with specified deficiencies in the above on the condition that the deficiencies be made up by the end of the first full semester (9-12 credits). Credits earned in making up deficiencies do not count toward the degree. If an applicant furnishes substantial evidence of capacity to do satisfactory graduate work despite a deficiency in GPA on admission, probationary admission may be recommended.
Credits and Courses
No credits carrying a grade below B- may be counted toward meeting the World Languages and Cultures degree requirement of 30 credits.
Students are not obligated to elect a concentration, but many will find it beneficial to do so.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| In consultation with the graduate advisor, select 30 credits from WLC graduate courses, graduate courses in a language other than English, and graduate courses in Linguistics and/or Translation and Interpreting Studies. | 30 | |
Requirements
The following are the minimum course requirements for a concentration in French and Francophone Studies within the World Languages and Cultures MA:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select at least 15 graduate credits in French | 15 | |
| Electives: Select 15 credits in one or two interest areas within or outside the concentration (with graduate advisor approval) | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Electives
Along with the concentration, students select electives from one or two areas of interest from within or outside of their concentration. All electives must be approved in advance by the graduate advisor, and additional areas of interest may be approved on an individual basis if relevant to the student's career goals.
Additional Requirements
Transfer of Credits
A maximum of 6 credits can be transferred from another institution into a concentration. Any course submitted for transfer must be no more than five years old at the time of the student’s admission to the World Languages and Cultures MA, must have been taken at the graduate level in a recognized institution, and must have been completed with a grade of B or better. Since Graduate School regulations allow the transfer of only 12 non-degree graduate credits to a master’s program, students are advised to apply for degree candidacy in the World Languages and Cultures MA before completion of 12 credits of coursework.
Major Professor as Advisor
The student must have a major professor to advise and supervise the student’s studies as specified in Graduate School regulations.
The Coordinating Committee refers each incoming student to a temporary advisor, normally the Graduate Advisor in the student’s chosen concentration, as stated in the application. The Graduate Advisor assists in assessing the student’s competencies, interests, and future academic or professional needs. Normally, the Graduate Advisor recommends a Major Professor after their initial meeting with the student.
The Major Professor and the student establish a plan of study by the end of the student’s first semester of graduate work. The plan will be reviewed by the Major Professor and the student after the successful completion of 12 credits and the removal of any deficiencies that may have been assessed at admission. At the time of the review, the student may request another Major Professor in the event that their programmatic needs have been modified or altered. Subsequent minor changes must be approved by the Major Professor.
The Major Professor evaluates and updates the student’s progress after completion of every six (6) credits or every semester of subsequent work. The student may not register for any courses without this advisor’s prior approval.
Time Limit
The student must complete all degree requirements within five years of initial enrollment.
Study Abroad
A maximum of 12 credits of preapproved study abroad courses may count toward the degree.