The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in French Studies
- Program Overview
- Certificate Requirements
- Faculty and Courses
- Resources
- To Apply
- Downloadable Application Form
Program Overview
This 15-credit graduate program is primarily for secondary teachers of French and anyone wishing to study the linguistics, culture, literature and film of France and Francophone countries.
The certificate provides the opportunity to explore in depth aspects of French and Francophone literature, culture, and language while also enhancing language skills. An additional benefit is the potential for professional advancement.
There is no exam or final project required. You must complete all courses with an overall GPA of 2.80 or higher within four years of the date of certificate program admission.
Program Length
The certificate can be completed in two years (at one course per semester plus one summer course) but may be completed in up to 4 years.
The certificate is a self-contained program, however, individuals accepted into the M.A. program may transfer all credits earned in the certificate program. The certificate represents approximately one-half of the credit requirements for the French M.A. program.
Evening and Summer Courses
To meet the needs of in-service teachers, at least one graduate course each semester is offered in the late afternoon or evening (one or two meetings per week). In addition, one graduate-level summer course is offered in an intensive format. All scheduled graduate courses are open to students in the certificate program.
Advising
The post-baccalaureate certificate advisory committee consists of two faculty: Professor Betsy Kerr will serve as the advisor-of-record; in consultation with Professor Kerr, you select the second faculty member.
Certificate Requirements
The post-baccalaureate certificate in French studies consists of five courses (15 credits) selected as follows:
- One course (3 cr.) in French linguistics
- One course (3 cr.) in French or Francophone literature or culture
- Three elective courses (9 cr.) in French/Francophone language, linguistics, literature or culture
Other course requirements and information
- One of the three electives may be taken in a related area outside French studies (such as linguistics, second languages and cultures, history, English, art history, theater, music, etc), subject to your advisor’s approval.
- At least 60% of credits must be taken at the 5xxx and 8xxx levels; no more than two courses (6 cr.) at the 4xxx level.
- No courses taken as part of an undergraduate program may be applied, but up to 40% of the work on the certificate program can be transfer credits, consistent with the Graduate School's transfer policy.
- One of the 5 courses (3 cr.) may be taken S/N.
Off-campus Immersion Options
You may consider combining the certificate program with a summer immersion program, transferring up to 6 credits, for example, from the Middlebury College summer immersion program or the new University of Wisconsin French Summer Institute.
Courses taken in France from American accredited graduate programs, such as the CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) Critical Studies Program in Paris or New York University Program in France, may also be transferred, subject to your advisor’s advance approval (6 cr. max.).
In addition, one of your three electives could be fulfilled through the independent study option. This involves contracting with a program faculty member to pursue a research project, which may be done in France or a Francophone country.
Faculty and Courses
Program faculty
The French studies faculty covers a broad spectrum of fields in their research and teaching: Francophone studies (Africa, North Africa, Caribbean), Québec, immigration literature, film, linguistics, contemporary literature and culture, Renaissance, Classical and Enlightenment culture and literature, and Medieval studies.
Graduate course sampling
The following list represents a sampling of recent graduate courses:
- Advanced/Pedagogical Grammar
- Oral French Discourse
- Structure of French: Phonology
- Promenades Poétiques: Depictions of Everyday Life and Experiments in Genre in the Early Modern Period
- Queens and Queenship: Literary Activities (authorship, translation, patronage) of French and English queens and the representation of queens in literature
- Topics in Literature and Culture: Economic and Cultural Exchange in the Later Middle Ages
- Narrative, History, and Memory in Modern French and Francophone Literature
- Topics in Québécois Literature
- Francophone Literature (Caribbean Literature)
- Topics in Literature and Culture: European Fairy Tale
- Topics in Later Medieval French Literature
- Staging Modernity: Seminar in Problems of 20th-Century Theatre
- Critical Issues: Poetry (Death in Baroque Lyric)
- Critical Issues: Perspectives on an Author (Baudelaire)
Related Areas
For electives that may be taken outside of French studies, you have many choices. Along with courses in other areas of the humanities such as history, English, art history, theater, and music, you may wish to consider teaching-related courses. Of particular interest would be advanced courses in pedagogy (Speaking and Listening, Reading/Writing, Curriculum, and Culture) offered by Second Languages and Cultures in the College of Education and Human Development.
In addition, the M.A. program in English as a second language (ESL) offers graduate courses designed not just for teachers of ESL but for any teacher of a second or foreign language. These are often held in the late afternoon so that teachers can attend during the academic year. Topics treated include language assessment, research in second language acquisition, and discourse analysis for language teachers.
Summer Institutes
The University's Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) offers an excellent menu of summer institutes, most of which may be taken for two graduate credits each. These institutes are designed especially for language teachers and attract teachers from all over the country. Institute topics include language assessment, basics of second language acquisition, teaching language and culture, immersion education, and teaching language through content.
Resources
Academic Resources and Research Facilities
The University of Minnesota is one of the largest public research institutions in the United States. It offers graduate students a comprehensive range of academic programs and the opportunity to work with faculty doing pace-setting research.
The University houses a number of academic centers that offer opportunities for contact with other graduate students and faculty as well as invited guests through regular colloquia, research groups, guest lectures, and international conferences. These include the following: Center for Advanced Feminist Studies (CAFS), Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA), Center for European Studies, Center for Medieval Studies, Center for Early Modern History, and the University of Minnesota Humanities Institute.
With over five million volumes, the University of Minnesota Libraries rank fifteenth among academic research libraries in North America. The University Libraries include about 130,000 titles in French. The University has been a leader in the development of digital media and Internet search vehicles. The libraries offer access to ARTFL (American Research on the Treasury of the French Language), a database of over 2,000 French texts.
To Apply
Requirements
Admission decisions are based on a completed application, college transcript, and written essays. You must have a B.A. in French or equivalent (B.A./B.S. in another field but relevant professional experience or academic preparation in French language and culture), with a preferred grade point average of 3.0.
If you have considerable teaching experience or other relevant professional experience (publications, translations, work experience in France or a Francophone country), but with a grade point average below the preferred average of 3.0, you are encouraged to make inquiries to the director of graduate studies.
Application Deadlines
Applications must be received by:
- April 15 to be considered for fall semester
- October 15 to be considered for spring semester
Tuition
You may enroll for the certificate at the University's master rate per credit. Please note that financial support such as Graduate Instructorships are not normally granted to Certificate students.
Application Checklist
| Items to be sent to The Graduate School University of Minnesota 309 Johnston Hall 101 Pleasant St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 |
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| Items to be sent to Director of Graduate Studies French and Italian 260 Folwell Hall 9 Pleasant St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 |
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The personal statement (in English) should explain how this program responds to your personal or professional goals. The writing sample (in French) should be a 500-1,000 word essay on a topic of your choice. The letters of recommendation should be from individuals (former professor, fellow teacher, supervisor, etc.) who can comment knowledgeably on your interest and abilities in French studies.
Contact Information
For questions concerning the certificate program:
- Professor Betsy Kerr, Certificate Program Coordinator bjkerr@umn.edu 612-624-6505.
- Professor Juliette Cherbuliez, Director of Graduate Studies (French) cherbuli@umn.edu 612-626-0418
- To request application materials, contact: Kristi Fritch, Graduate Secretary frit0164@umn.edu 612-624-4308.