Master of Arts in Applied Languages in French

Master’s students spend a 6-week summer in Middlebury at the School of French followed by an Academic Year in Paris where they complete a hands-on practicum combined with academic coursework in specialized disciplines. See an overview of our requirements. Students choose a specialization.

• Language Teaching
• Language Teaching with Teaching Assistantship in France (see specific requirements)
• Migration Studies
• Development Studies
• Cultural Heritage Studies
• Tourism Studies (option not available in 2024/25 academic year. Will resume in 2025.)

Specializations

Language Teaching

Admission Requirements:

• Applicants should preferably hold an undergraduate degree in French, literature, or linguistics and have graduate-level proficiency in French
• Candidates should have an interest in a career in foreign language teaching.   

Program Structure:

• At least five credit units in the fields of Didactique des langues
• Required language and/or methodology courses during the summer of candidacy in Vermont, depending on the results of placement testing and area of specialization
• A practicum awarding one unit of credit
• An independent research paper in the field of specialization awarding one unit of credit 

Language Teaching with Teaching Assistantship in France (Middlebury/TAPIF partnership)

Note: Deadline to apply is January 15. Select ‘Language Teaching w/TAPIF’ as specialization. (see specific requirements)

Admission Requirements:

• Applicants should preferably hold an undergraduate degree in French, literature, or linguistics and have graduate-level proficiency in French. 
• Candidates should have an interest in a career in foreign language teaching.
• Candidate must have applied to the TAPIF Program and have eventually secured a TAPIF* assignment in Paris.

Program Structure:

• A twelve-hour per week Teaching Assistantship completed during the academic year in Paris under the direction of the TAPIF program.
• At least five credit units in the fields of Didactique des langues. 
• Required language course(s) during the summer of candidacy in Vermont and during the academic year in Paris, depending on the results of placement testing. 
• A pedagogy or a linguistics course during the summer of candidacy in Vermont. 
• An independent research paper in the field of specialization awarding one unit of credit. 
• A teaching practicum course awarding one unit of credit.
• A final summer on the Middlebury campus for completion of remaining required coursework. 

*Please see an overview of the requirements specific to this Middlebury/TAPIF partnership. Applicants who are not selected for the TAPIF partnership program, may still be eligible for a Middlebury graduate program in French.

Migration Studies

Admission Requirements:

• Applicants should preferably hold an undergraduate degree in sociology or psychology, or in other social sciences, and have graduate-level proficiency in French.
• Volunteer or work experience in community programs, nonprofit organizations, social work, or public service is preferred. 

Program Structure:

• At least five credit units in the field of migration studies
• Required language and/or methodology courses during the summer of candidacy in Vermont, depending on the results of placement testing and area of specialization
• A practicum awarding one unit of credit
• An independent research paper in the field of specialization awarding one unit of credit

Development Studies

Admission Requirements:

• Students should hold an undergraduate degree in political sciences, economics, social sciences, geography, anthropology, or demography and have graduate-level proficiency in French.
• Candidates should have knowledge of development issues and interest in development and international aid.
• Volunteer or work experience in community programs, nonprofit organizations, development, social work, or public service is preferred. 

Program Structure:

• At least five credit units in the field of development studies
• Required language and/or methodology courses during the summer of candidacy in Vermont, depending on the results of placement testing and area of specialization
• A practicum awarding one unit of credit
• An independent research paper in the field of specialization awarding one unit of credit

Cultural Heritage Studies

Admission Requirements:

• Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree in art history, history, for instance, and have a graduate-level proficiency in French.
• This program is designed for candidates who want to develop their cultural and linguistic knowledge with the objective of developing and managing cultural and historical heritage programs.

Program Structure:

• At least five credit units in the field of heritage and/or museum studies, and/or French history or art history
• Required language and/or methodology courses during the summer of candidacy in Vermont, depending on the results of placement testing and area of specialization
• A practicum awarding one unit of credit
• An independent research paper in the field of specialization awarding one unit of credit

Tourism Studies (option not available in 2024/25 academic year. Will resume in 2025.)

Admission Requirements:

• Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in economics, management, political science, geography, or environmental studies, and have a graduate-level proficiency in French
• Candidates should have knowledge and interest in geopolitics and international trade.

Program Structure:

• At least five credit units in the field of tourism studies
• Required language and/or methodology courses during the summer of candidacy in Vermont, depending on the results of placement testing and area of specialization
• A practicum awarding one unit of credit
• An independent research paper in the field of specialization awarding one unit of credit

Practica

Students will complete an academically directed practicum (a minimum of 130 hours) in their area of specialization. The internship enhances and strengthens foreign language skills, deepens social immersion in a foreign culture, and allows students to gain experience within a foreign work environment specific to the chosen field which may lead to future career opportunities.

Practica, and duration of practica, will depend on the supervisors’ needs, and the students’ skill set. Placements may include NGOs, museums, galleries, and local schools.