Why study French?

The Department of Romance and Arabic Languages and Literatures offers an MA in French literatures with emphasis on French and Francophone poetry, narrative, and film; or interdisciplinary studies, literary theory, and teaching. The expertise of faculty spans all the major periods of French and Francophone literature, and are active scholars at the national and international levels. Professors work closely with graduate students in their coursework, and many of our students are engaged in joint projects or research and teaching with faculty members. In addition to financial support, the teaching assistants receive helpful supervision, including a two-week teacher training seminar prior to classes and an ongoing teaching practicum during the school year. The graduate students are seen as an essential and vital part of the department. The success our students have had in finding teaching positions attests to the effectiveness of this program. Students are expected to register for three 4-credit courses each semester and are expected to present for a comprehensive examination in the spring semester of their second year. The MA in French at UC is an ideal degree both for students wishing to teach at the high school or college level, as well as for students wishing to continue to the Ph.D. level.

Admission Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree or its equivalent, preferably in French or literature
  • A minimum GPA of 3.00
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV, resume)
  • Three letters of recommendation, preferably from recent language or literature professors 
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • A 500 word statement of purpose, preferably in French
  • A writing sample in French
  • For non native English speakers:
    • TOEFL scores, the minimum: 520 (paper), 190 (computer), 80 (internet)
    • Oral English Proficiency Test administered by UC before being allowed to teach

Students graduating with an MA in French have pursued a wide range of academic and professional paths. Many continue their studies by entering PhD programs in French and Francophone Studies or related fields such as Comparative Literature, Linguistics, or Cultural Studies, including at highly competitive universities such as the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Minnesota, Louisiana State University, and École Normale Supérieure in Paris. With the program’s strong preparation in pedagogy, alumni have gone on to successful careers in secondary and postsecondary education. Some graduates take advantage of our longstanding exchange with the University of Bordeaux, where they gain valuable international teaching experience as lecteurs/lectrices directly after completing the MA. Beyond the academic and cultural sectors, graduates have also applied their advanced training in critical thinking, communication, and intercultural competence to careers in administration, law, and business. 

The information provided is sourced from a third party, Lightcast. Their product, called Career Coach, combines extensive labor market data from Lightcast and the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics. It provides insights on industry, occupation, compensation, and projected growth for each profession. Economic and workforce information is available for various geographic regions. Some careers may require additional training or education.

Explore unique opportunities, faculty, and resources available in Romance and Arabic Languages & Literatures

Application Deadlines

Please visit the Program website or contact the program director for information prior to applying to learn about application requirements or to inquire about materials that need to be submitted.

Deadline: February 1

The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Contact Information

Dr. Siham Bouamer
Clifton Court Hall 5239
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0377
(513) 556-1962
bouamesm@ucmail.uc.edu

Find related programs in the following interest areas:

Program Code: 15MAS-FREN-MA