French M.A. Degree Program
Program Description
The M.A. in French is a two-year program providing comprehensive knowledge of the French and Francophone literary tradition. Through coursework, you will increase your expertise in textual analysis and critical methods, and gain greater knowledge of the historical and social context that shapes literature. The M.A. provides a foundation for more specialized study and research at the Ph.D. level.
The M.A. program has two options:
- Plan A which involves writing a master’s thesis, and
- Plan B in which the thesis is replaced by additional coursework and two projects developing out of seminar papers.
For either program, you are required to demonstrate basic skills in another foreign language.
M.A. examination
The M.A. examination is taken in the spring of the second year. It is based on a comprehensive reading list. It covers three historical periods: Medieval-Renaissance, Early Modern, and Modern (including Francophone literature).
Program Requirements
| Plan A | Plan B |
|---|---|
Course requirements: 8 courses plus 10 thesis credits (34 credits)
|
Course requirements: 11 courses (33 credits)
|
| Language requirement (one year college language or equivalent) | Language requirement (one year college language or equivalent) |
| M.A. thesis | Two Plan B papers |
| M.A. examination | M.A. examination |
Credit Transfers for the Master's Degree
With approval of the advisor, director of graduate studies in the major (and director of graduate studies in the minor, if the courses are for a designated minor), and the Graduate School, up to 40 percent of the degree program coursework may be transferred from:
- University of Minnesota graduate programs,
- authorized courses taken through Continuing Education (maximum of 12 semester credits of graduate-level coursework),
- other recognized graduate schools.
In the case of non-U.S. institutions, credits must have been earned in programs the Graduate School considers comparable to a graduate degree program in a graduate school of a regionally accredited institution in the United States.
Courses taken before the awarding of a baccalaureate degree cannot be transferred.
For more complete information, consult the director of graduate studies or the Graduate School website.