The master of arts (M.A.) and the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree programs deal with all-important aspects of French literature and some related fields through a variety of critical approaches. These programs are open to candidates whose academic records and Graduate Record Examination scores give evidence of distinguished accomplishment and promise of successful graduate work.
Applications for September admission to the M.A. and Ph.D. programs should be submitted by January 1 in order to receive full consideration for financial aid. Application is made directly through Graduate Admissions.
The master of arts for teachers (M.A.T.) degree program in French studies is designed primarily for persons already involved in teaching French or using their knowledge of French and French culture in some professional capacity. Candidates for the M.A.T. are admitted on the basis of formal background and professional activity and need not submit Graduate Record Examination scores.
An application for the M.A.T. program is normally considered only after the student has completed one summer of coursework (a minimum of two 3-credit courses) in the Rutgers summer World Languages Institute. Nonmatriculated students may take these courses, which include Rutgers at the Louvre. Students accepted into the M.A.T. may apply credits previously earned in the World Languages Institute toward the degree.
Candidates for the M.A. must satisfactorily complete 30 credits of coursework (6 of which may be devoted to a research problem if the candidate elects to write a thesis). In addition, students must pass a comprehensive examination based on coursework and a reading list. Those who wish to continue toward the Ph.D. are screened for that program at the time of the M.A. examination.
Candidates for the M.A.T. also take 10 courses, offered primarily in the summer by the World Languages Institute. Any M.A.T. student wishing to take courses during the regular academic year (whether graduate or undergraduate) may do so with the permission of the graduate director. For the final 3 credits of the M.A.T., degree candidates prepare a teaching porfolio. This capstone project, which comprises original materials to be developed under the direction of a faculty mentor, is formally submitted to a committee for final approval. Students who wish to substitute a comprehensive exam for the teaching portfolio may do so.
Doctoral candidates are required to complete 48 credits of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree (54 credits for Transliteratures fellowship students, who are required to take an extra two courses in another language). Credit for graduate work taken at other institutions may be accepted in partial fulfillment of the course requirement; the maximum number of credits that may be transferred is 15. In no case (except in "cotutelle" arrangements with foreign universities) will the doctoral candidate complete less than 33 credits at Rutgers.
Prospective candidates for the Ph.D. degree fulfill the residence requirement through full-time commitment to coursework and/or research during two consecutive semesters, excluding Summer Session. Doctoral candidates must demonstrate by examination, a reading knowledge of two foreign languages in addition to French. These languages usually include a Romance language and either German or Latin, but substitution of a different language on the basis of relevance to projected research is possible. Greater proficiency in one language, proven by the successful completion of two graduate courses (6 credits) taught in the original language, may replace the second language requirement. The Ph.D. qualifying examination provides a head start on doctoral research. It is composed of a take-home written examination followed
within a week or 10 days by an oral examination. Upon successful completion of
the qualifying examination, the student prepares the dissertation proposal under
the supervision of the dissertation director in consultation with other faculty
members in the appropriate areas of expertise.
Reading lists upon which the examinations are based, as well as the Guide to the French Graduate Program, are available online and in the department office. The graduate program in French participates in the Transliteratures Project.
