Program Overview
The University of Kansas offers a comprehensive masters in French designed for individuals passionate about deepening their understanding of the French language, literature, and culture, as well as the rich diversity of the Francophone world. This graduate program, formally the Master of Arts in French and Francophone Studies, emphasizes both linguistic mastery and critical engagement with the social, historical, and cultural contexts of French-speaking regions worldwide.
This masters in French provides rigorous training in advanced language proficiency while fostering sophisticated analytical skills in literary and cultural interpretation. Students examine texts, media, and cultural production from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, the Caribbean, and regions of Africa and the Global South. Through coursework and independent research, the program encourages students to situate French-language expression within broader global and transnational frameworks.
Students pursuing a masters degree in French benefit from a curriculum that balances theoretical foundations with applied and professional development. The program supports interdisciplinary approaches, allowing students to draw connections among literature, history, film, critical theory, linguistics, and sociopolitical studies. Faculty expertise spans multiple historical periods and geographic regions, enabling students to tailor their academic focus to specific interests within francophone studies.
Coursework in this French masters degree emphasizes close reading, critical methodology, and advanced written and oral communication in French. Students refine their ability to analyze literary genres, cinematic texts, cultural movements, and intellectual traditions. In addition, they develop research methodologies appropriate to the humanities, including archival research, theoretical analysis, and scholarly argumentation in French.
All students in the masters in French complete written and oral comprehensive examinations, typically in their fourth semester. The written exam covers the full range of French and Francophone literary history, while the oral exam includes a commentaire de texte and discussion spanning all periods of the literature. Beyond the examination requirement, students choose between two coursework tracks: the thesis track, which supports sustained independent research under faculty supervision and results in an original scholarly contribution to the field, or the seminar track, which involves two additional graduate seminars and suits students preparing for teaching careers, doctoral study, or other professional pathways.
Throughout the program, graduate students participate in a vibrant intellectual community. Opportunities may include presenting research at academic conferences, collaborating with faculty mentors, and engaging in teaching assistantships that provide classroom experience. These applied learning opportunities ensure that students completing this masters in French are prepared for careers requiring advanced language proficiency, intercultural competence, and analytical expertise.
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For more information about the program, visit the program page below.
French & Francophone Studies, MAKU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The Master’s in French, 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.Master’s in French and Francophone Studies Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the masters in French will:
- Demonstrate advanced proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in French consistent with graduate-level standards.
- Apply critical methodologies to analyze literary, cultural, and historical texts from diverse Francophone regions.
- Interpret texts and cultural artifacts within relevant social, historical, and theoretical frameworks.
- Conduct independent research using appropriate scholarly methods in French and Francophone Studies.
- Produce sustained analytical writing and oral presentations in French that demonstrate clarity, coherence, and scholarly rigor.
- Demonstrate cultural competence and nuanced understanding of global Francophone societies.
These outcomes ensure that students completing the masters degree in French are prepared for advanced professional or academic pathways.
What careers are possible with a Master’s in French and Francophone Studies
A masters in French opens a wide range of career opportunities across education, government, nonprofit organizations, business, and cultural institutions. Graduates of this French masters degree develop transferable skills in multilingual communication, research, writing, and cross-cultural analysis. Possible career paths include:
- French language instructors at high schools and universities.
- Translators and interpreters for international organizations.
- Cultural attachés and diplomats in French-speaking countries.
- Researchers and scholars in Francophone literature, history, and sociology.
Advanced expertise in francophone studies is especially valuable in international relations, global education initiatives, cultural diplomacy, and multinational business contexts where deep cultural literacy complements language fluency.
According to Lightcast, employment for graduates with an MA in French is projected to grow approximately 2% over the next 10 years, with current median national compensation around $64,000 per year.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The Department of French, Francophone, and Italian Studies strives to fund all incoming M.A. students through Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs). A standard GTA appointment includes an academic-year stipend, a 100% tuition waiver, and coverage of student fees for three credit hours — making the M.A. an accessible path for students who qualify. GTAs also gain structured training and hands-on experience teaching French at the undergraduate level, a meaningful credential for those pursuing academic careers.
Beyond the GTA, additional funding opportunities include the Magerus Scholarship, the Cornell and Mahieu fellowships for research abroad, the Office of Study Abroad’s Springer award, and graduate exchange programs with French universities. For tuition rates and need-based aid, students can also explore options through KU Financial Aid.
Admission Requirements
To apply for the Masters in French and Francophone Studies, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, including official transcripts
- Applicants should have the equivalent of a French major at the B.A. level, with a minimum of 9 hours of advanced undergraduate coursework in French literature
- 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- A current resume or C.V., including academic, employment, and extracurricular background
- Statement of Purpose including what you hope to encounter in the graduate school experience, your experience and general research interests, what skills you most need to work on, and your career aspirations
- A 12-15 page written work to demonstrate your writing skills and basic research capacity in French
- Three references, preferably academic
- 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 detailed application instructions, visit the Department of French, Francophone, and Italian Studies.
Student Life and Learning Experiences
Students enrolled in the masters in French engage in a dynamic intellectual environment that supports scholarly development and professional growth. Graduate students may collaborate with faculty on research projects, present papers at conferences, and participate in departmental programming that highlights literature, cinema, and cultural production from across the Francophone world.
Events such as guest lectures, film screenings, and cultural celebrations enhance the academic experience and foster community within French and Francophone Studies. KU’s broader academic network further provides opportunities for interdisciplinary exchange and professional networking.
Master’s in French and Francophone Studies Sample Courses
Students pursuing the masters in French may take courses such as:
- Advanced French Phonetics
- Colloquium in Methods of Teaching French Language
- Studies in Sixteenth Century French Literature
- Structure of Modern French
For a complete list of courses, visit the KU Catalog.
Master’s in French and Francophone Studies Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply?
Completed applications, including all supplemental documents, submitted by February 1 will receive priority consideration for admission and funding.
How long will it take to complete the degree?
Students typically complete this degree in two years.