Why Consider a Combined BA/MA in French?

In a world that increasingly relies on global knowledge, a combined BA/MA degree builds on the foundations acquired in undergradute coursework in French and allows majors an opportunity to develop further expertise in the field and earn a graduate degree with only one additional year of coursework after graduation.  You develop an ability to think critically in another language and develop highly marketable skills: from conducting research to honing writing skills and fluency in another language, while learning about cultural and historical contexts in which masterworks of French and Francophone literature and film were produced.  The ability to make a well-articulated and convincing argument translates positively into a number of different professional outcomes.  Alumni of our Master's program often pursue advanced studies at the doctoral level to prepare for careers in academia; they teach at the primary, secondary, and university levels, work in the public service sector, the law, and international non-profits.

International Experience and Study Abroad Opportunities

The Department strongly values its long tradition of welcoming international students and encourage applications from throughout the world.  Our graduate student cohorts includes students from  the United States and also from all over the French-speaking world (Africa, Belgium, Switzerland, and France).  As a result, students in our program work in a diverse international atmosphere.  All students accepted to the combined BA/MA program are expected to participate at least once in our annual summer credit workshop at the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon, France in order to gain valuable experience ln France prior to earning their Master's degree.

French Combined BA/MA Program at Miami

Our combined BA/MA program in French offers advanced undergraduate students the opportunity to further their intensive study of works of literature, film, and theory of French expression.  The combined degree consists of a combination of graduate coursework (30 hours), a MA reading list examination, participation in at least one summer of study at the Department's workshop in Dijon, France, and a Master's thesis, which represents an original contribution to scholarship.  If the candidate completed the Dijon workshop as an undergraduate, we strongly recommend, but do not require, participation a second time at the graduate level.  Students may count up to nine (9) credit hours of graduate coursework at Miami's French program toward their Bachelor's degree.

Recommended Schedule of Courses for BA/MA

SENIOR YEAR (Total 6 credit hours)

Fall Term:
     1 graduate seminar / 3 credit hours

Spring Term:
     1 graduate seminar / 3 credit hours

MASTERS SUMMER (DIJON) (Total 9 credit hours)

1 graduate seminar / 3 credit hours
Reading list hours / 6 credit hours

MASTERS YEAR ONE (Total 18 credit hours)

Fall Term:
     2 graduate seminars / 3 credit hours each
     Reading List Hours / 3 credit hours
     Reading List Exam

Spring Term:
     1 graduate seminar / 3 credit hours
     Thesis Hours / 6 credit hours
     Thesis defense in May
     Thesis submitted in August

Overall total of 33 credit hours.

Undergraduate Preparation

Students must be a French major and should have completed one 400-level seminar prior to applying to the combined BA/MA program.  Generally speaking, students should apply for admission in February of their junior year in order to begin their combined degree during the fall of their senior year.  Upon earning a minimum of 64 credit hours and having a cumulative GPA or 3.25 or greater, students may apply for admission to the combined program.  See the Graduate School Handbook for more information.

Admission Requirements

To apply to a combined bachelors/masters program, go online to the Graduate School's application page, complete the application, and pay the $50 application fee.  Be sure to check "combined program."

In addition to applying to the Graduate School, students must also submit application materials to the Department of French and Italian.  All applicants should submit a writing sample in French (a 15-page sample of literary analysis) and two letters of recommendation.  One of these letters should evaluate the applicant's abilities in French.  Application review for Fall 2013 begins February 1, 2013.  To be guaranteed consideration, your application must be received by March 1, 2013. Please mail the supplementary materials to:

Dr. Elisabeth Hodges
Department of French and Italian
Miami University
222 Irvin Hall
Oxford, OH  45056

Student Classification and Graduation

Students in a combined program will remain as undergraduates until they apply for graduation or submit a request to the Graduate School to have their classification changed from undergraduate to graduate.  Students must have completed a minimum of 128 hours to be classified as a graduate student (NOTE: This change in classification will affect eligibility for financial aid).  Students may receive their bachelor's degree prior to completing their master's degree.  upon receiving the bachelor's degree, students will automatically be classified as graduate students. A minimum of 150 hours is required for the combined program; 120 semester hour minimum for a bachelor's degree and 30 hour minimum for a master's degree.

 Click here for a printable brochure. [PDF]