Francophone Studies (Ph.D.)

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Francophone Studies (Ph.D.)

Francophone Studies (Ph.D.)

The doctoral program in Francophone Studies is designed to provide a broad knowledge of the Francophone world, including France, Francophone Europe, Quebec, Acadia, Louisiana, the Antilles and Haiti, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian Ocean, the Maghreb, and the Mediterranean.

The program offers a variety of approaches: literary, linguistic, critical, ethnographic, and historical.

Our PhD in Francophone Studies offers students a rigorous and diverse program to prepare students for successful careers as future ŷ��Ƭ faculty, academia-adjacent positions, or a multitude of careers in research, public-facing scholarship in the public or cultural sector, and more.

Courses offered through the departments of History, Sociology and Anthropology, and English (Folklore) complement those taught in the French and Francophone Studies program.

Related Programs

Master of Arts in French

Francophone Studies at UL Lafayette

Immersion in Louisiana Francophonie

Louisiana is a major Francophone region in the United States, allowing you to participate in Francophone culture in your own backyard. Converse with local Cajun French speakers at Tables Françaises in the area, enjoy Cajun and Creole culinary delights, and take in Lafayette’s two massive annual music festivals: and .

Community Connections

There are many opportunities to share your knowledge of French with the ŷ��Ƭ and the Lafayette community. Help with the conservation, understanding, and expansion of local cultures with and . Our community activities include outreach to Lafayette Parish schools' immersion programs and continued partnership with the and .

Global Scholars

Students from all over the francophone world come together at UL to explore the rich variety, hybridity, and créolisation of the global Francophonie using a variety of approaches: literary, linguistic, critical, ethnographic, cinematographic, historical, culture and folklore studies.

In-House Publications

Twice annually, the department publishes , a refereed scholarly journal devoted to all aspects of Francophone Studies. You can also publish your creative work in the , the department’s student-run literary and artistic review.

Application Information

Application Deadlines

Fall: June 30 (Domestic)
February 15 (International)

Spring: November 1 (Domestic)
October 1 (International)

Note: Separate deadlines apply for funding consideration.

Funding

Funding opportunities such as assistantships and fellowships can help pay for your degree while letting you earn valuable experience for your career. Assistants can tutor, teach, or help with research while benefiting from a waiver of tuition and fees as well as a monthly stipend.

Learn more about funding opportunities and how to apply >>

UL graduate student at commencement ceremony

Priority Assistantship Application Deadlines

Note: admission and assistantship requests may still be accepted after these dates, however applicants are strongly advised to adhere to these deadlines in order to be considered for assistantship funding.

Fall: February 15

Spring: October 1

UL Lafayette doctoral graduates walking through the quad in regalia

Fellowship Application Deadline

February 15

Contact

For more information about the program and funding availability, please contact:

Dr. Nathan Rabalais, Graduate Coordinator
Phone: 337-482-6816
Griffin Hall 461
Email: nathan.rabalais@louisiana.edu

Francophone Studies According to Grad Students and Faculty

Collaboration Mentorship Nurturance Empowerment

Francophone Studies Ph.D.

“I love that we get to work on collaborative projects with faculty members along with community members. As a graduate student, I was invited to co-host a conversation with Dominic Thomas. Definitely a highlight of my graduate career!”

Sarah Djos-Raph, Francophone Ph.D. Student

Francophone Studies Ph.D.

"Teaching, guiding, and supporting graduate students are among the most vital and rewarding activities of the academic enterprise, where faculty members enjoy the unique opportunity to extend the long tradition of mentorship from which they once benefited themselves, and share their career-long expertise with new scholars, while positively engaging with their original ideas, methods, and critical directions.”

Fabrice Leroy Ph.D., Professor of Francophone Studies

Francophone Studies Ph.D.

"What I like about the PhD program in Francophone Studies is the unique relationships I’ve created with my professors and mentors who have been very supportive of me and helped me grow, who have opened my mind and empowered me.”

Léa Fougerolle, Ph.D. Candidate and ŷ��Ƭ Fellow

Careers in Francophone Studies

Resources

We offer a variety of professionalization workshops at the ŷ��Ƭ, as well as professional workshops in French and Francophone Studies to prepare our students for careers both in and outside of academia. Our program also boasts a new audio/transcription studio space, ideal for students working on field interviews or podcasting. We are also accredited to proctor the Paris Chamber of Commerce’s internationally recognized TEF (Test d’évaluation de français) exams in Professional French and in Hospitality and Tourism.

Career Opportunities

ŷ��Ƭ Professor
Researcher
Author/Writer
Translator/Interpreter
Cultural Consultant
International Relations Specialist
Language Services

Program Requirements

In addition to satisfying the Graduate School application and admission requirements, you must also submit:

•   Statement of Academic Purpose (approx. 2 pages in English or French)
•   Writing Sample (approx. 30 pages total in French)
•   Audio Recording (for non-native French speakers) of a few minutes describing your background in French and research interests. Please send audio file to Nathan.rabalais@louisiana.edu

To attain an appropriate level of competence in Francophone literature, culture and civilization, candidates for the doctorate must complete a minimum of 72 post-baccalaureate semester credit hours including 24 hours of dissertation. At least 21 hours of the minimal 48 hours of course work must be taken after the M.A. comprehensive examinations or after completion of the M.A. thesis. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average with no grade lower than C. A student with two grades of C or any grade below a C becomes ineligible to continue graduate work.

Learn more about the Ph.D. in Francophone Studies curriculum in the .

Resources

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Francophone Studies (Ph.D.)

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