French Language and Literature (FRIT)

Abstract

The Department of French and Italian prepares students for the Master of Arts (FRIT) and Doctor of Philosophy (FRMS) degrees in French language, literature and culture. The research interests of the graduate faculty span the Renaissance to the present. For the doctoral program, consult the graduate catalog under "Modern French Studies."

Admissions Information

The M.A. program, which offers both a thesis and non-thesis option, is open to students who have a solid grounding in French language and literature. An overall Grade Point Average of at least 3.00 (on a four-point scale) at the undergraduate level is required. Further application requirements include: 1) Graduate School application, 2) statement of purpose (including research interests), 3) three letters of recommendation, 4) official academic transcripts for all undergraduate work, 5) GRE scores, 6) a writing sample, and 7) a resume or Curriculum Vitae. International applicants must also submit TOEFL scores. Part-time students are admitted to the program on the condition that they make steady progress towards the degree.

Application Deadlines

Fall

Spring

Domestic Applicants:
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

Domestic Applicant Deadlines

Applications must be received by January 15 .

This program does not accept applications for this semester.

International Applicants:
Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials

IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.

Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas

February 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1

June 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants

May 1
If Domestic Deadline is after May 1

October 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials

May 15
If Domestic Deadline is after May 15

October 31
If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Application Requirements

Graduate School Application
GRE Scores
Letters of Recommendation
Writing Sample
Sample Writing
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Statement of Purpose
TOEFL Scores (for International Applicants>

	Fall	Spring
Domestic Applicants: U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
Domestic Applicant Deadlines	Applications must be received by January 15 .	This program does not accept applications for this semester.

International Applicants: Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.
Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas	February 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1	June 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants	May 1 If Domestic Deadline is after May 1	October 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials	May 15 If Domestic Deadline is after May 15	October 31 If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Degree Requirements

Master of Arts (M.A.)
The M.A. without thesis requires a minimum of 30 credits, of which at least 18 must be selected from courses numbered 600 or above. In lieu of a thesis, students must present a Qualifying Paper of between 25 and 30 pages in length as evidence of their ability to do independent research. The M.A. with thesis requires a minimum of 24 credits, of which not less than 12 must be selected from courses numbered 600 or above. A further six credits (thesis research/French 799) are required. The M.A. thesis committee consists of 2 faculty members in addition to the student's thesis director, who serves as chairperson. There is an oral examination on the thesis, which should be a minimum of 80 pages in length. (See Department Website for complete information)

Doctor of Philosophy (see FRMS under "Modern French Studies") (Ph.D.)

Facilities and Special Resources

With a total student enrollment of over 35,000, the University of Maryland is supported in its academic endeavors by the University Libraries, a system of eight libraries and more than three million volumes. Other area research facilities include two of the worlds outstanding libraries: the Library of Congress and the Folger Library, both of which have extensive holdings in French. The University of Maryland's Center for Renaissance and Baroque Studies , the Women's Studies Program, and the David C. Driskell Center For The Study of The Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and The African Diaspora, among other campus units, offer seminars, lectures, and symposia on a wide variety of topics relevant to graduate students in French.

Financial Assistance

Graduate applicants can request to be considered for Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Fellowships. Graduate Teaching Assistantships carry ten-month stipends, plus remission of all fees (10 credits) other than those for registration and health facilities.

Contact Information

Additional information on program offerings, degree requirements and financial aid can be obtained on the department's Web site (http://www.languages.umd.edu/FrenchItalian) and by writing to:

Director of Graduate Studies in French
3215 Jimenez Hall
University of Maryland College Park
MD 20742
Telephone: (301) 405-4024
http://www.languages.umd.edu/FrenchItalian