French and Francophone Studies

Department of French
Dunton Tower 1602
Tel.: 613-520-2168
carleton.ca/french

M.A. French and Francophone Studies

About the Program

The Department of French at Carleton University offers graduate students an intimate and collegial environment to pursue training at the MA level. The Department fosters a comparative and interdisciplinary approach to French and francophone studies. Our graduate students can choose from a variety of specializations across Francophone literatures and French linguistics. Seminars and research projects can focus on sociolinguistics or Caribbean literatures, Acadian French or French-based creoles, Québécois literature (including New France) and contemporary French fiction, among other topics. As active and published researchers in their respective fields, our faculty members promote student participation in a range of teaching and research activities. The Department is home to the Centre for Transnational Cultural Analysis, an interdisciplinary research unit, and also hosts a yearly graduate conference, organized by and for students. French and Francophone studies at Carleton gives students the opportunity to actively engage with the intellectual life of a dedicated group of scholars and students.

Top of page

Academic Regulations

See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.

Academic Standing

A grade of B- or higher must be obtained in each course counted towards the master's degree.

Top of page

Admission Requirements

The normal requirement for admission into the master's program is a B.A.(Honours) in French with at least high honours standing (normally B+ or better in Honours subject; B- or better overall).

Qualifying Year

Applicants who hold a general (3-year) bachelor's degree with at least B standing or higher, with a major in French, are required to register in the qualifying-year program (normally 5.0 credits in French chosen from those numbered at the 4000-level), and maintain at least B+ standing overall, before proceeding to the M.A. program.

Qualifying-year students should consult the Undergraduate Calendar and the departmental website for a listing of 4000-level courses.

Top of page

Program Requirements

The requirement for the Master of Arts in French is 4.5 credits.

FREN 5300 and FREN 5301 are mandatory for all students and are to be taken in the first and second terms of study.

Candidates select from one of three program options, chosen in consultation with an adviser from the Department, normally the Supervisor of Graduate Studies.

Comprehensive Examination Program
  • 1.0 credit in FREN 5907 Comprehensive Examination
  • 0.5 credit in FREN 5300 Méthodologie de la recherche
  • 0.5 credit in FREN 5301
  • 2.5 credits at the 5000-level
Research Essay Program
  • 1.0 credit in FREN 5908 Research Essay (Mémoire de recherche)
  • 0.5 credit in FREN 5300 Méthodologie de la recherche
  • 0.5 credit in FREN 5301
  • 2.5 credits at the 5000-level
Thesis Program

With the approval of the Supervisor of Graduate Studies, M.A. students in French may select the equivalent of 1.0 credit at the graduate or 4000- level in French and at the 4000- or 5000-level in another department.

Students are restricted to a maximum of 0.5 credit in directed readings FREN 5800 (Lectures dirigées).

Guidelines for Completion of Master's Degree

Full-time students in the comprehensive examination and research essay options should be able to complete their program within three terms. Full-time students in the thesis option should be able to complete their program within five terms.

Students are required to submit a detailed proposal of their thesis, research essay or comprehensive exam. Full-time master's candidates are required to submit this proposal by the end of the ninth month of full-time registration.

Top of page