PhD with MA en route
This degree program is intended for students who wish to pursue the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in French but who do not already hold an M.A. in the field of French studies or in a closely-related discipline. Students must first successfully complete the requirements for the M.A. in French, normally within their first two years of full-time enrollment. Students doing the Ph.D. with the M.A. en route will be awarded an M.A. degree at the completion of these requirements.
MA Requirements
Course Distribution Requirements
- Historical Coverage: to ensure the acquisition of a broad knowledge of French-language literatures, media, and cultures, students must have had taken at least one seminar in each of these four areas: Medieval or 16th century; Early Modern (17th and 18th centuries); Post-Revolution/Modern (19th-21st centuries); and The Global South before they reach candidacy for the PhD.
- Literary and Cultural Theory: students must complete FR 2710, Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory, during their first or second year or residency at Pitt.
- Pedagogical Training: Students must complete FR2970, Teaching of French, during the fall semester of the first year they serve as a Teaching Assistant in the department.
Second Language
Candidates must demonstrate a reading knowledge of Latin, German, or a Romance language other than French. Other languages related to a students' research interests will be considered upon petition. This requirement can be fulfilled by a reading exam, by passing a reading course in the appropriate department, or by passing a fourth-semester language course.
Comprehensive Examination and Explication de texte
The MA comprehensive examination is a written examination designed to ensure that the candidates have acquired a thorough overall knowledge of French language, literatures, media, and cultures. It is divided into two four-hour sections. The candidate must also present an oral explication de texte before a faculty committee.
Seminar Paper
This research paper (5,000–8,000 words) is written in French, usually in a course specifically designated as a seminar. It must receive a grade of B or better and a corrected version must be approved by a second faculty member.
PhD Requirements
Students entering directly into the PhD in French or starting the PhD phase after the MA phase must:
- complete eight 2000-level courses beyond the MA (with approval, up to three courses in other departments may count towards the French degree)
- take a second advanced seminar in literary or cultural theory after FR 2710 (seminars in other departments may count towards this requirement)
- take their PhD comprehensive exams
- research, write, and defend a doctoral dissertation on an aspect of French or Francophone literatures, media, and culture upon admission to candidacy
If the student did not satisfy the course distribution requirements and the second language requirements during the MA phase (see above), they must do so before admission to candidacy.
Students must complete one substantial article-length paper (20-30 pages) of publishable quality either in English or French usually based on papers written in graduate seminars or on the dissertation. Before graduation, the article manuscript must be submitted to a peer-reviewed academic journal.
Courses in Other Departments or Programs
With the adviser's consent, students are free to take some of the additional required courses in other departments. Students in French are encouraged to pursue certification in one of the various programs offered by the University (Cultural Studies; Digital Studies and Methods; European Studies Center; Film and Media Studies; Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies; Global Studies; Medieval and Renaissance Studies). However, only three courses outside the French and Italian department may count towards the PhD degree in French. Exceptions may be granted on an ad hoc basis.