PhD in French Language and Literature

As a doctoral student at UB, you will join a collaborative research community within a flagship public research university. Faculty work closely with students from their first seminars through the dissertation defense, supporting intellectual growth and professional development at every stage. 

The program encourages interdisciplinary dialogue across the humanities and emphasizes global perspectives on French and Francophone cultures. 

Areas of strength include: 

• French literary history from the medieval period to the present 
• Francophone and postcolonial studies 
• cultural and critical theory 
• French linguistics and language structure 
• interdisciplinary approaches to literature, language and culture 

Doctoral students work with faculty advisors to design individualized research paths that support their scholarly goals. 

Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 
Field: French and Francophone Studies 
Program length: Typically five to seven years

The PhD program combines advanced coursework, research training and teaching experience to prepare students for academic and research careers.

Students move from guided study to independent scholarship through coursework, comprehensive exams and dissertation research.

• Mentorship based training: Students work closely with faculty advisors who guide coursework, exam preparation and dissertation research. 
• Strong scholarly foundations: Graduate seminars develop historical, theoretical and methodological expertise across literary and linguistic traditions. 
• Research intensive preparation: Coursework emphasizes advanced analysis and sustained research writing. 
• Pan-Romance perspective: The department encourages dialogue across Romance language traditions and interdisciplinary research connections. 
• Dissertation centered development: Students design and defend an original dissertation that contributes new knowledge to French and Francophone studies. 

For full and current requirements, consult the official Graduate Course Catalog and departmental handbook. 

By the time you complete the PhD, you will be able to: 

• demonstrate deep knowledge of French and Francophone literary or linguistic traditions 
• engage critically with major theoretical and methodological debates in the field 
• identify complex research questions and analyze them using advanced scholarly methods 
• design and complete an original research project grounded in primary and secondary sources 
• produce a major scholarly work with clear and persuasive argumentation 
• present research effectively in professional academic settings 
• teach language, literature or culture courses at the college level 

Through the dissertation process, students move from guided study to independent scholarly contribution. 

PhD students may have the opportunity to teach abroad through a TA exchange program with Université Paris Cité in France. This program allows you to gain international teaching experience, strengthen language proficiency and build academic connections while living and working in Paris.

Graduates of the PhD in French pursue careers that draw on advanced research, language expertise and cultural analysis.

Common career paths include:

Doctoral training develops transferable skills including research design, advanced writing, analytical reasoning and professional presentation.

If you are ready to conduct original research, contribute new scholarship and grow as a scholar and teacher, the PhD in French at UB offers the mentorship and intellectual environment to support your goals.