Master of Arts (MA) in French Studies

The program information below was valid for the winter 2020 term (January 1, 2020 - April 30, 2020). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

Students are responsible for reviewing the general information and regulations section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

Program information

Admission requirements

  • Minimum requirements 
    • Applicants who have completed an undergraduate program in French with a cumulative average of 75% in a recognized four-year Honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program in a Canadian university (or its equivalent) may be admitted to the program.
  • Application materials 
    • Résumé
    • Transcript(s)
    • Writing sample
  • References 
    • Number of references:  3
    • Type of references: 

      at least 2 academic
  • English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Degree requirements

    Students are automatically enrolled in the coursework option during their first term in the program.

    Thesis option:

  • Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
  • Courses 
    • Students must complete FR 600 Research Methods and Professional Communication in French Studies plus a minimum of 3 one-term courses (0.50 unit weight) in the Department of French Studies. Students may take 1 course in another department, upon approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies.
    • To be admitted to the thesis option, students must first complete 2 graduate courses with at least an 80% average. A student receiving a course grade lower than 78% must revert to the coursework option.
  • Link(s) to courses
  • Academic Integrity Workshop
  • Master’s Thesis
    • A thesis of approximately 100 pages, written in French (2.00 unit weight), on a topic approved by the Graduate Committee of the Department, and under the direction of a supervisor who is a member of the Department. The thesis must be approved by the thesis supervisor and one other reader appointed by the Department, and must be defended orally before the thesis committee.

    Master's Research Paper option:

  • Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
  • Courses 
    • Students must complete FR 600 Research Methods and Professional Communication in French Studies plus a minimum of 5 one-term courses (0.50 unit weight) in the Department of French Studies. Students may take 1 course in another department, upon approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies.
    • No more than one course with a grade lower than 70% is permitted.
  • Link(s) to courses
  • Academic Integrity Workshop
  • Master’s Research Paper
    • The Master’s Research Paper (mémoire) (1.00 unit weight), written in French under the supervision of a professor of the Department, is a research paper (mémoire) of approximately 50 pages on a subject approved by the Graduate Committee of the Department. The research paper must be read and approved by a Reading Committee of two professors, the supervisor and an internal reader. The student will normally be notified within three weeks of submission of the research paper (mémoire) of its approval/rejection by the Reading Committee.

    Coursework option:

  • Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
  • Courses 
    • Students must complete FR 600 Research Methods and Professional Communication in French Studies plus a minimum of 7 one-term courses (0.50 unit weight) in the Department of French Studies. Students may take 1 course in another department, upon approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies.
    • Courses must be approved by the Graduate Officer, and may be completed successfully in three terms. A student receiving one course grade below 70% may be asked to withdraw from the program. The minimum average required for graduation is 72%.
  • Link(s) to courses
  • Academic Integrity Workshop
Department of French Studies website
Master of Arts (MA) in French Studies future students program page