Overview
The University is located on an 84-acre site in a residential area of northwest Washington, D.C. American University was founded as a Methodist institution in 1893.

Graduates of the program are employed in a wide range of careers, such as teaching, international business, translation, diplomacy, research with governmental and nonprofit organizations, study-abroad programs, public health, and social agencies. Many pursue advanced studies leading to a doctoral degree.

The Community
Washington's centers of government, business, research, commerce, and art are only a short distance away from the campus. The University is served by bus routes and a free campus shuttle to a nearby subway stop.

The nation's capital offers unparalleled opportunities with its rich academic, cultural, diplomatic, and corporate resources. The Maison Française of the French Embassy is a vast complex housing a library, videotheque, and a theater where plays and films in the original version are presented on a regular basis. The Alliance Française also has a lending library of printed and audio-visual materials and offers courses and seminars to the Washington community. Both the Embassy and the Alliance Française regularly sponsor lectures and special events by noted French speakers and artists. French theatrical companies perform periodically in the Washington area, and several movie theaters present classic and contemporary films in the original language.

Programs of study and degree requirements
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in French Studies degree program offers the flexibility of combining core courses in French language and literature with a concentration tailored to each student's interests. Concentrations are available in related studies such as economics, history, international studies, communication, public affairs, and business as well as literature, language teaching, translation, or TESOL. The degree services the needs of those already engaged in teaching French who seek to enhance their careers. It also accommodates students considering pursuing doctoral studies.

The 33-credit program requires at least 18 credits of course work taught in French and taken in the Department of Language and Foreign Studies. Course work includes 21 credit hours of core requirements and 12 credit hours in a field of concentration.

Facilities & Resources
TBender Library's reference collection includes atlases, encyclopedias, directories, guides, and bibliographies and periodical indexes in both print and CD-ROM formats. American University (AU) is a member of the Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC), all of whose holdings are listed in ALADIN, the online catalog. Students may borrow materials from the other WRLC libraries and download many electronic journal articles.

Students can view news broadcasts and cultural programming via satellite from France in the Language Resource Center. The Language Resource Center also offers self-paced, multimedia instructional materials for learning geography, history, translation, and language skills. Popular periodicals from around the world are also available.

Expenses and Aid
Costs: Tuition is $1,948 per credit hour. Students can expect to spend approximately $100 per course for books and related supplies.

Financial Aid: Teaching and research assistantships, fellowships, and study grants are available through the Department of Language and Foreign Studies. In addition, Master's Scholar Awards, Special Opportunity Awards, Hall of Nations Fellowships, United Methodist Graduate Scholarships, and various loans are awarded by the university. Assistantships provide a taxable stipend of $8750 and up to 18 credit hours of tuition, and study grants provide up to 18 credit hours of tuition per year. The application deadline for these awards is February 1.

Housing/Living Expenses: Although many graduate students live off campus, the University provides some graduate dormitory rooms and apartments. The Off-Campus Housing Office maintains a referral file of rooms and apartments. Housing costs in Washington, D.C., are comparable to those in other major metropolitan areas.

How to Apply
The College of Arts and Sciences uses a rolling application process. However for international applicants, it is highly recommended that completed applications for the fall semester are submitted by June 1 for accurate processing. Applications for awards must be received by February 1. Online or downloadable application forms may be obtained on the Web at http://www.american.edu/cas/admissions. The cost to apply is $50 for the online application submitted electronically or $80 for the paper-based application submitted by mail, including those that are downloaded. Admission consideration is given to all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, or disability.

In addition to meeting the University's requirements for graduate study, applicants should be proficient in French and hold a B.A. in French. Both part-time and full-time students are welcome. Applicants are required to submit a sample of written work in French as part of their formal application to the program.

Paul R. Côté, Professor; Ph.D., McGill. Twentieth-century French literature, business French and translation studies.

Nadia Harris, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Georgetown. Modern French politics, contemporary French society, cultural studies, twentieth-century French literature.

Daniele Rodamar, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Michigan. Sixteenth- and seventeeth-century French literature, the history of ideas, international studies, language teaching and methodology.

Josette Wisman, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Catholic University. Medieval and Renaissance literature, French language, popular culture, French civilization and history.

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