Program Overview
The University of Kansas offers a comprehensive PhD in French and Francophone Studies designed for students seeking to deepen their understanding of French and Francophone language, literature, and culture. As part of our commitment to fostering global perspectives, this PhD in french combines advanced scholarship with rigorous research training that prepares graduates for academic, professional, and creative careers.
Our PhD in french emphasizes original scholarship in French and Francophone literatures and cultures across historical periods, with particular strength in critical theory, cultural studies, and interdisciplinary approaches. Students complete structured coursework, demonstrate reading proficiency in additional languages as required, and undertake comprehensive examinations before advancing to candidacy. Doctoral candidates must also demonstrate proficiency in a second language — options include a second Romance language, Latin, Greek, German, Arabic, or another language approved by faculty — and complete and defend an original dissertation. Students are additionally required to fulfill a one-year teaching obligation through their Graduate Teaching Assistantship.
As one of the established french PhD programs in the region, KU’s program provides close mentorship from research-active faculty and opportunities to engage in conferences, publications, and collaborative scholarly initiatives. Through assistantships and teaching opportunities, doctoral students gain practical classroom experience while refining their research agenda. This integrated model ensures that graduates of the PhD in french are prepared to contribute meaningfully to the evolving field of French and Francophone studies.
KU’s program offers distinctive opportunities for international scholarly engagement. The department conducts a six-week Summer Language Institute in Paris, where students take courses in French language and culture, with additional travel through regions including Normandy, Brittany, and the Loire Valley. Graduate students may also participate as program assistants for the Paris institute or pursue study through the department’s graduate exchange agreement with the Université de Franche-Comté in Besançon, France.
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For more information about the program, visit the program page below.
French and Francophone Studies, Ph.D.KU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The Doctorate in French and Francophone Studies is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, home to a collaborative and creative community making the world better through inquiry and research.Doctorate in French and Francophone Studies Learning Outcomes
Graduates of KU’s PhD french program will be equipped to:
- Conduct independent and original research that makes a substantive contribution to French and Francophone literary and cultural studies
- Demonstrate advanced proficiency in written and spoken French, with the ability to analyze complex texts across multiple historical periods
- Apply major theoretical and methodological frameworks in literary, cultural, and interdisciplinary analysis
- Situate French and Francophone works within broader historical, cultural, and global contexts
- Design and teach university-level courses in French language, literature, and culture
- Communicate research effectively in professional academic settings, including conferences and scholarly publications
These outcomes align with the expectations for advanced doctoral training and position graduates of the PhD in french for leadership in research and higher education.
What careers are possible with a Doctorate in French and Francophone Studies
Graduates from KU’s PhD in french program pursue successful careers in academia, research institutions, international organizations, publishing, government, and cultural institutions. According to Lightcast data, individuals completing advanced doctoral study in French frequently secure roles such as:
- University Professor
- Cultural Program Director
- Translator/Interpreter
- Foreign Language Consultant
The analytical, linguistic, and cross-cultural expertise developed through the PhD french prepares graduates for roles that value advanced communication skills, research expertise, and global awareness. Alumni of similar french PhD programs have found opportunities both domestically and internationally, leveraging their scholarly training in diverse professional environments.
Tuition and Funding
The department is committed to funding its doctoral students. Most incoming PhD students receive a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA), which includes a competitive academic-year stipend, a 100% tuition waiver for all KU coursework, and coverage of fees for three credit hours per semester. GTA appointments are guaranteed, contingent on funding availability and satisfactory performance, for up to five years for PhD students, or up to six years for students completing both the M.A. and PhD at KU.
Additional funding opportunities include summer stipends for doctoral students, dissertation fellowships for students who have passed comprehensive exams, travel grants for conference presentations, and department fellowships supporting research abroad. Learn more about funding options with the Department of French, Francophone, and Italian Studies or through KU Financial Aid.
Admission Requirements
To apply for the PhD in french program, prospective students must meet the following criteria:
- A completed master’s degree equivalent of the M.A. in French offered at KU, including official transcripts from all institutions from which a degree was obtained
- Resume/CV
- Statement of Purpose
- A sample essay or research paper in French 20 pages in length
- Names and contact information of three references, who are then contacted directly by KU for letters of recommendation
- For applicants whose native language is not French, upload an mp3 audio file on which the applicant speaks extemporaneously (do not use a prepared script) for approximately five minutes in French, giving an account of background, training, and interests.
- For applicants whose native language is not English upload an mp3 audio file on which the applicant speaks extemporaneously (do not use a prepared script) for approximately five minutes in English, giving an account of background, training, and interests
For full details on admission deadlines and additional requirements, visit the Department of French, Francophone, and Italian Studies.
Student Life and Learning Experiences
KU’s PhD in french emphasizes sustained research development and professional preparation. Students complete advanced seminars spanning multiple literary periods and thematic areas before undertaking comprehensive examinations and a doctoral dissertation. Throughout the program, faculty mentors guide students in refining research questions, identifying theoretical frameworks, and preparing scholarly work for presentation and publication.
Doctoral students benefit from teaching experience in lower- and upper-division French courses, gaining structured pedagogical training alongside their research. Participation in departmental colloquia, guest lectures, and interdisciplinary events further strengthens scholarly engagement.
Located in Lawrence, Kansas, KU provides a vibrant academic community with a rich cultural scene. Graduate students pursuing the PhD french enjoy access to campus organizations, international programming, and collaborative opportunities across disciplines. The supportive environment fosters both academic success and personal growth.
Doctorate in French and Francophone Studies Sample Courses
Students pursuing a PhD in french engage in coursework covering major periods, genres, and theoretical approaches in French and Francophone studies. Sample courses include:
- Methods in Foreign Language Instruction
- Advanced French Phonetics
- Francophone Studies
- Studies in Medieval French Literature
For a comprehensive course listing, visit the KU Catalog.
Doctorate in French and Francophone Studies Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply?
Completed applications, including all supplemental documents, submitted by Feb. 1 will receive priority consideration for admission and funding.
How long will it take to complete the degree?
Students typically complete this degree in 5-6 years.