French and Francophone Studies
Our programs combine language studies with issues related to identity, cultural diversity and inclusion, social justice, and global interconnectedness. By providing an integrated approach to experiential education with real-world applications, our programs empower students to chart a successful path from college to the professional world.
We offer
Small Classes
Benefit from individual attention from award-winning faculty
Flexibility
Complete your French program alongside a second area of study
Study Abroad
Experience linguistic and cultural immersion in France, Belgium, or Canada
Degree Areas
Major
Students majoring in French and Francophone Studies will acquire in depth knowledge of various cultural, linguistic, social, and demographic areas in the Francophone world that connect the learning of the French language to the acquisition of practical skills immediately useful in real-world settings.
minor
Students minoring in French and Francophone Studies will acquire global awareness and familiarity with cultures, societies and languages of the Francophone world that are applicable to their majors through the acquisition of practical skills immediately useful in real-world settings.
ma
This program allows students with a B.A. in French to further their studies in the French language, culture, and literature, while preparing them to further their career. Most of our M.A. graduates continue on to a Ph.D. program at MSU or elsewhere or become certified high school teachers. Others pursue careers in translation, sustainable development, editing, advising study abroad programs, and more.
phd
Our program offers several options which allow the doctoral students to work with a truly personalized degree, while retaining a strong foundation in French literature and culture. In recent years, dissertations have focused on Rabelais, 17th century Theater, 20th century holocaust writings, francophone children literature, the language in the banlieue, and the effect of text genre on reading comprehension.
Study Abroad Program
French Language, Literature and Culture in Tours
1
summer
1
city
9
credits
Tours is located in the beautiful Loire Valley, often called the garden of France – a region of great cultural importance, famous for its historic and architectural heritage and majestic châteaux.
Outsanding Students and Alumni in French and Francophone Studies
Students in the French Program tell us about their careers and how they plan to further their impact in the world
Rachel Shapin
Chris Murphy
Matthew Fazekas
Mariam Sayed
Alumni Stories
Lorem
featured News
Tony Grubbs Appointed Interim Chair of RCS
Associate Professor of Spanish Tony Grubbs has been appointed Interim Chair of the Department of Romance and Classical Studies. The two-year appointment, effective August 1, 2018, through August 15, 2020, was made in consultation with the Department of Romance and Classical Studies Advisory Committee.
Valentina Denzel: Exploring Our Past to Better Understand Our Present
Sometimes to understand our current worldview, it is necessary to examine and understand the events of our past, at least according to Assistant Professor of French Valentina Denzel, whose area of research focuses on how the Age of Enlightenment, an intellectual and philosophical European movement during the 18th century, continues to shape our everyday life.
MSU Receives $160,000 in HWW Global Midwest Grants
Three project teams that include MSU College of Arts & Letters faculty and students were among the 10 teams receiving funding in the 2016 Humanities Without Walls (HWW) Global Midwest Grants. In total, the teams received over $160,000 in grants.