Department of French > Graduate > Programs & Admission
- Graduate Study
With a varied range of degree programs, the department attracts
full-time graduate students of superior caliber from all parts
of the world. Over 100 students, from first-year students to Ph.D.
candidates finishing their dissertations, are normally engaged
in graduate study of French each year. The department has an effective
professional counseling and placement program. Recent graduates
have successfully competed for positions at major colleges and
universities. French graduate programs are designed to accommodate
both full-time and part-time students. Because many of our students
are already teaching or working, most graduate courses are scheduled
for the late afternoon or early evening.
A high percentage of students receive some form of financial aid.
Qualified students receive support on a competitive basis for
five years that combines fellowships with graduate assistantships.
In addition, a number of other fellowship and assistantship opportunities
are available. Normally doctoral candidates teach three years
as assistants in the Department. Candidates for the doctorate
at New York University do their course work in New York, although
they may take master's level graduate work through the NYU in France Center.
The department offers the following programs:
The Ph.D. in French Literature, within a comprehensive course of study, offers options for individualized
programs including Francophone literatures, and early work on
prospective dissertation topics.
The Interdisciplinary French Ph.D. Program provides for the study of French and Francophone literatures
in conjunction with one of the arts (cinema, fine arts, music)
or with the social and human sciences (history, linguistics, politics,
sociology, anthropology).
The Joint French/Institute of French Studies Ph.D. in Modern French
Literature and Society is designed specifically for students who seek advanced expertise
in both literature and the social sciences, as they relate to
France.
The M.A. in French Literature covers a broad spectrum of areas and approaches to literature.
The M.A. in French Language and Civilization may be pursued in Paris either full-time during the academic year or over consecutive summers, or in New York on a part-time basis during the academic year. This program is well-suited to present or prospective language
teachers or those planning careers in international fields. Francophone
Literatures and Civilization is available as a major option. Please note: The M.A. in French Language and Civilization cannot be completed during two semesters of full-time study in New York.
- Courses of Study
The French Department offers Master's degree programs in French Literature, French Language and Civilization, a doctoral degree in French Literature, and a joint doctoral degree program with the Institute of French
Studies. Eight semester courses are required for the Master's
degree and ten additional courses for the doctoral level. Studying
full-time, Master's course work can be completed within two semesters.
Other requirements include a written comprehensive examination
at the end of the Master's degree course work in French Literature, or a master's essay for those students pursuing a Master's degree
in French Language and Civilization. For those students in the doctoral program, a comprehensive
doctoral oral examination and the doctoral dissertation are required.
Students who have a sufficient amount of time available for study,
and who have a strong background in French literature can prepare
for the oral examination in three to six months' time after completing
their course work. Two to three years is the conventional span
of time needed to complete a doctoral dissertation.
Under Courses, the programs for three recent years and representative course
descriptions will give you an idea of the depth of our offerings.
Each semester's program contains from twelve to thirteen courses
and includes course work in each of the six temporal areas and
Francophone literature, and advanced seminars in literary research
and critical theory, as well as courses in modern French civilization.
The academic strength of our Department in New York is complemented
by numerous visitors from France every year who come both to join
the teaching staff on a regular basis to lecture, join colloquia,
or lead mini-seminars.
Through our active Graduate Students Association and Department Colloquium our graduate students organize meetings for critical discussions
and reading papers, or for professional preparation for placement,
teaching, participation in scholarly conferences. This year's
was titled "Départs du Réel."
Our Ph.D. in Literature program is complemented by our Institute of French Studies where work in French Studies may lead you to an additional
Certificate in French Studies. Such certification might be
of significant value to you in your professional career. Students
are also encouraged to take courses in related fields: cinema
studies, comparative literature, art history, musicology and courses
in the literatures of other languages.
- Placement
Between 1990 and 2001, our graduate students have accepted positions
at Wellesley, Williams, The University of Texas, The University of Florida, Towson University, The University of Iowa, The University of Delaware, The University of California at Santa Barbara, Barnard, The University of Kansas,
Wesleyan, Vassar, Goucher, The University of North Carolina, The
College of Staten Island/CUNY, the College Board, Emerson, San
Bernardino State, Tufts, Smith, Vanderbilt, Union, and Grinnell.
New York University has an excellent and active placement office
to help with professional placement in addition to the sustained
support given students by the Department.
- Application
The deadline for receipt of application at Graduate Enrollment
Services is January 4 for prospective students who wish to enter the Ph.D. graduate programs
in French for the following fall semester. M.A. applications are due by April 15. Spring admission is applicable to M.A. candidates only, and is due by November 1.
All applicants may write their applications in French or in English
and all letters of recommendation may also be in French or English,
but preferably in the native language of the recommender. Submission
of an academic writing sample in French of no more than 25 double-spaced pages is required. Foreign students whose native language
is not English must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores administered by the Educational Testing Service in foreign
countries. All applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to be considered for admission.
Application materials are available from New York University Graduate Enrollment Services, P.O. Box 907,
New York, NY 10276-0907 and can be downloaded from the admissions website:
- Degree Requirements
Although the M.A. in French Literature (or its foreign equivalent) is prerequisite to the Ph.D., students
wishing to complete a doctorate are urged to apply directly to
the Ph.D. program.
Candidates will be expected to demonstrate extensive knowledge of primary texts, a variety of genres, and significant secondary literature in four of the seven areas (i.e. the six “century” fields and Francophone literature). The examination is structured around four modules, each one divided into three components chosen by the student in consultation with the appropriate members of the professorial staff. It is expected that for each component students read at least the equivalent number of primary and secondary works that would normally be covered in a graduate course on the subject.
Students should fill out a Preliminary Orals Worksheet prior to consulting with the appropriate faculty members. The preliminary Orals Worksheet, reflecting students' particular interests, establishes the rough outline of the components of the Qualifying Examination. The specific readings for each module and each component must then be listed on the detailed Orals Worksheet with the advice and signed approval of the four faculty members who will participate in the examination.
In each module, students are responsible for the following three components:
• a major author
For instance:
Students must present Orals Worksheets that demonstrate serious inquiry in all the major genres. To insure the overall coherence of the Orals Worksheets, students must submit them to the Director of Graduate Studies for final approval.
4. Dissertation
M.A. in French Literature
The course of studies leading to the M.A. in French literature
is comprehensive, in the sense that all M.A. candidates are expected
to acquire a broad knowledge of all period areas of French literature.
This requirement is embodied in the "M.A. Reading List" (see below) and in the format of the M.A. Comprehensive Examination.
The distribution requirement, in addition to the textual analysis
course, includes work in five of the six century areas of French
literature.
All incoming M.A. in Literature candidates are required to take
a course in textual analysis in their first semester. The Director
of Graduate Studies may waive the requirement for textual analysis
if the candidate can present proof of ample experience with textual
analysis and that he or she has an adequate command of French.
M.A. candidates are strongly urged to enroll in the courses in
the series "Studies in Genre and Modes." Each of these courses will be offered in alternating years.
M.A. candidates must maintain an average of B or better in order
to be allowed to sit for the Comprehensive Examination, which must be taken within one semester of completing course
work.
M.A. in French Language and Civilization
The M.A. in French Language and Civilization provides advanced work in French language and in modern literature
and culture. Course distribution requirements reflect the broad
conception of the degree program. Students are required to take
three courses in language skills and applied linguistics, two
courses in 19th- or 20th-century literature, two courses in contemporary
(19th and 20th century) French civilization and one additional
elective course chosen from any of these areas. One or more of
these distribution requirements may be waived for individual students
with native fluency in French.
Course work for the M.A. in Language and Civilization may be completed during the academic year or during summer sessions
in Paris. M.A. candidates must maintain an average of B or better.
The M.A. in Language and Civilization is usually a terminal degree. A final Master's Essay of 20 to
40 pages completes degree requirements. The Master's Essay should
be completed within one semester of finishing course work.
Certificate of Achievement in French Studies
Candidates for the M.A. in French Literature, in French Language
and Civilization, and for the Ph.D. may obtain a Certificate in
French Civilization by taking any four courses at the Institute of French Studies,
one of which may be cross-listed with the French Department.
Study in New York or Paris
Candidates for the M.A. in French Literature or in French Language
and Civilization may do all of their course work at Washington
Square or at NYU in France on the rue de Passy.
Language Proficiency
A high level of proficiency is expected of every degree candidate.
Specific recommendations will be made to students with language
deficiencies as to ways and means of alleviating them, including
requiring one of the department's advanced language courses. M.A.
candidates must demonstrate oral command as well as written command
in the M.A. Comprehensive Examination.
Change of Status
Students who wish to change their status within the Department
are not required to submit a new application but must meet with
the Director of Graduate Studies. Students who plan to change
from one M.A. program to another must seek approval early in their
course work as there is little overlap in course requirements
between the M.A. program in Literature and the M.A. program in
Language and Civilization. All students who have completed the
M.A. in French Literature must petition for entry into the Ph.D.
program at the time that they take the M.A. Comprehensive Examination
by filling out a petition form. Entrance into the Ph.D. program
for continuing students is based on a number of factors, including
the student's overall coursework and performance on the M.A. Comprehensive
Examination.
Transfer of Credit
Students who have successfully completed course work at other
institutions may be eligible to receive 8 credits of transfer
credit on the Masters level and 8 credits on the Doctoral level.
One credit transferred from another university that follows a
semester calendar is equivalent to one credit at New York University.
Students who have a M.A. degree in French awarded by another university
may be eligible to begin their doctoral coursework by passing
the M.A. Equivalency Examination, a 1/2 hour oral examination
on one of the six areas of the M.A. reading list, no later than
the beginning of the second semester of enrollment.
A maximum of 8 transfer credits may be applied to the M.A. degree.
A maximum of 40 graduate credits may be transferred for students
on the doctoral track.
Policy on Incompletes
Course work must be completed by the end of the semester during
which the course is taken. The Director of Graduate Studies is
authorized to grant exceptions only for bona fide medical emergencies.
Ph.D. in French Literature
Students who have successfully completed the M.A. requirements
in French Literature at New York University are admitted to the
doctoral candidacy on the basis of their performance in courses
and on the M.A. Comprehensive Examination upon recommendation
by a Committee of the Graduate Faculty. Students who have completed
their M.A. elsewhere may apply directly for admission into the
doctoral program but must pass the M.A. Equivalency Exam.
1. Distribution Requirements
Including course work towards the M.A., all Ph.D. candidates must
take one course in six of seven areas of French and Francophone
literatures, and a course on textual analysis before completing
their course work.
The course work of Ph.D. candidates should be drawn mainly from
the department's diverse offerings in French and Francophone literature,
literary theory, and civilizational studies.
2. Language Requirements
The second language requirement may be met through an examination,
or course work in Italian, Spanish, or German. Petitions concerning
other languages will be considered on the basis of the use and
need of that language for the student's particular work. Latin
is not required of Ph.D. candidates. It is, however, highly recommended
that all students intending to specialize in Medieval or Renaissance
literature acquire a reading knowledge of Latin. The language
requirement is not met until the Language Certification Form is
completed. Students should contact the Office of Student Affairs and Academic Services at 1/2 Fifth Avenue
or by phone at (212) 998-8060 for information on the proficiency exams. The Director of Graduate
Studies must approve any foreign language course work taken in
lieu of the proficiency exam to meet the second language requirement.
Approval for coursework taken must be made within two years after
completing coursework.
3. Ph.D. Examinations
The oral examination, two hours in length, may be taken in either French or English. It is expected that the candidate schedule the examination no later than one semester and a summer after the completion of coursework.
• a genre
• a topic
Moyen-Age
17th Century
Villon
Molière
épopée
roman
hagiographie
préciosité
These rubrics reflect the kinds of courses the Department now offers: monographic, generic, topical. To guarantee broad coverage, the three components of each period should not be too closely related.
As soon as possible after the orals, the student selects a dissertation
topic in consultation with faculty members of his choice. A dissertation
director and two readers requested by the student in consultation
with the Director of Graduate Studies form the dissertation committee
which then meets to discuss the topic.
When a student has selected his or her topic and committee, he
or she submits a descriptive thesis proposal of about five pages
with a preliminary bibliography; the director and readers fill
out the Dissertation Committee Form indicating they have agreed
to serve. The dissertation director and the two principal readers
follow the progress to completion, chapter by chapter. When the
student has completed a dissertation approved by the Dissertation
Committee, two additional readers meet with the student for an
hour-long thesis defense. At the defense, further revisions may
be requested before approval, or the dissertation may be approved
as it stands and the student recommended for the doctoral degree.
Dissertations may be written in either English or French. Students
whose native language is English are encouraged to write in that
language.
Joint French/IFS Ph.D. Program
in Modern French Literature and Society
The joint Ph.D. program recruits strong candidates who seek expert
knowledge in contemporary French literature, history and society.
Students should ideally be admitted into the joint program when
they apply to begin their graduate studies, and should pursue
course work in the French department and IFS simultaneously, with
the aim of fully integrating knowledge acquired in l9th- and 20th-century
literature, history, and society as they proceed through their
course of study. In some cases, students who have been initially
admitted to either the French department or the IFS, and who develop
a serious interest in pursuing joint studies, may be accepted
into the joint degree program within their first year of course
work.
1. Distribution Requirements
All candidates will take a total of 18 courses, to be distributed
as follows:
A. Eight courses at the IFS, including the following required
courses: 19th-Century History, 20th-Century History, Approaches
to French Culture, French Cultural History Since 1870, and at
least one course in Field II (Society), at least one course in
Field III (Politics and the Economy), and two other optional IFS
courses
B. Eight courses in the French department, including the following
required courses: Textual Analysis, Literature and Society, at
least one "genre course" with the remaining five courses concentrated
in 19th- and 20th-century literature and civilization (some course
work may be taken in other centuries with permission of the Director
of Graduate Studies).
C. Two courses are optional, and may be taken outside of either
department, for example, in History, Art History, Cinema Studies,
Anthropology or Comparative Literature.
2. M.A. Examination
Although this joint degree program leads to the Ph.D. (and in
normal circumstances does not grant an M.A. degree), students
will be required to take the equivalent of an M.A. examination
after three semesters of course work. The examination will cover
the following:
1) l9th and 20th century history (2 hours)
2) Questions on l9th- and 20th-century literature from the French
Department M.A. reading lists [questions will take the form of
the "short essays" on the French Department M.A. examination]
(1-hour)
1) Discussion of written exam
2) "Integrated questions" on French literature in its historical
and social context. The areas to be covered in this oral exam
will be established ahead of time by the student in consultation
with the examiners, and will be adapted to the student's course
work and interests.
Successful completion of this examination is required in order
for the candidate to continue course work for the Ph.D. If the
student does not succeed in passing the examination after two
attempts, he or she will be granted a Certificate of Achievement
in French Studies, provided 8 courses have been passed with at
least a "B" average. Students whose performance in course work
and on the M.A. exam is not considered sufficient to pursue the
joint Ph.D. will be granted a terminal M.A.
3. Ph.D. Examination
Interdisciplinary Program in French Literature
The Interdisciplinary program in French Literature enables students to conjoin the study of literature, cinema,
fine arts, and music with the social and human sciences (history,
linguistics, politics, sociology, anthropology). The program enables
students to design a course of doctoral study that reflects their
special interests and that takes advantage of the exceptionally
rich resources in these areas at New York University (Institute
of French Studies, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Dramatic
Literature, Theatre History, Cinema, etc.) and at NYU in France.
Given the growing importance of interdisciplinary literary studies,
this program prepares doctoral candidates to make innovative contributions
to the field.
1. Admission
To enter the program, students must apply during their first semester
of doctoral studies. This application consists of a two-page statement
outlining their proposed area of study, a tentative plan of course
work, and the name(s) of their advisor(s). Prospective candidates
are also required to submit a sample of their written work. Formal
acceptance into the program is granted by Charles Affron, Director of Graduate Studies, and Richard Sieburth,
Director of the Interdisciplinary Program.
2. Course of Study
Of the ten courses required of all doctoral candidates, one to
five may be taken for credit outside the department (at the Institute
of French studies, or at other pertinent departments or programs
in the university). The French Department offers a series of elective
special courses and tutorials that may be counted among the ten
courses fulfilling the degree require-ment. These are designed
to supervise and coordinate students' interdisciplinary work.
No later than their second year of study, students also take for
credit a pre-doctoral seminar to prepare the topic of their Ph.D.
dissertation.
3. Ph.D. Examination
Students take a three-hour Ph.D. oral examination. One part, an
expanded version of the French Department's Track B option, will
consist of a ninety-minute examination in the student's special
interdisciplinary field, and will also include a formal presentation
of the student's dissertation proposal. The other part is devoted
to examining the student in three century areas, defined as they
are for Track A candidates.
Students who have completed all doctoral requirements except the
dissertation are eligible to apply for the degree of Master of
Philosophy. Students may find it a professional advantage to obtain
this interim degree while completing their dissertation. It should
be noted that students may not receive more than one degree per
year; those receiving the Master of Philosophy are not eligible
to apply for the Ph.D. until one year later.