French (Comparative Literature), MA

Graduate students may take only 500-level courses for graduate credit. At least nine credit hours must be selected from those courses listed exclusively for graduate students. The program must include:

1. FRE 500 Research Methods (3)
2. one course in linguistics and one course in linguistics, civilization or translation
3. one course in critical or cultural theory

It is recommended that the candidate enroll in FRE 500 as early as possible.

A minimum of four core courses offered by the French section must be selected from any combination of the following categories:

• Francophone studies courses
• genre courses
• period courses

When approved by the graduate committee, up to six credit hours of related coursework may be taken outside of French.

A student must achieve a grade of "B" (scale is 4.00 = "A") or higher in all work specifically included in the plan of study. Grades below a "C" (2.00) cannot be used to meet the requirements of a graduate degree. No student may accumulate more than one incomplete at any one time.

Independent study courses are given only under exceptional circumstances and do not duplicate courses that are available. The French graduate committee is responsible for authorizing such work in cooperation with the individual professor. A maximum of three credit hours of independent study is permitted.

Students must complete an applied project.

The written examination for the concentration in comparative literature is administered by the interdepartmental committee for comparative literature and consists of two essay-based components: general concepts of comparative literature and problems of comparative literature.

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in French from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

1. graduate admission application and application fee
2. official transcripts
3. personal statement
4. writing sample
5. three letters of recommendation
6. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

The writing sample should represent the applicant's thinking as well as writing skills, and it should be written in French on a topic connected with the language or French culture. The writing sample should be approximately 5--10 pages in length.

Those who lack the appropriate background but who show strong potential and meet the Graduate College admission requirements may be admitted to a graduate program on a provisional basis, pending removal of specified deficiencies. These deficiencies must be addressed in addition to completion of the regular program of study for the master's degree.

Professionals with this degree can confidently move into academic, business and international fields. Skills developed through this program are valued for teaching positions, translation work or career opportunities in a larger sector, such as government, diplomacy and international business.

Career examples include positions as:

• area, ethnic and cultural studies teachers and professors
• editors
• foreign language and literature teachers and professors
• historians
• interpreters and translators
• lawyers
• reporters and correspondents
• social and community service managers