
French

The French doctoral program at the CUNY Graduate Center provides a thorough grounding in histories and theories of literatures from the French-speaking world.
Request InformationDegree Offered
Ph.D. in French
Full-time
Admissions Deadlines
January 1 for fall enrollment
(No spring enrollment)
We are equally committed to critical theory, and we actively encourage students to pursue interdisciplinary work in areas such as philosophy, history, art history, anthropology, film studies, women and gender studies, postcolonial studies, queer theory, music, comparative literature, and political science.
Our course offerings allow students to engage with contemporary debates in multiple fields, and are often structured around theoretical questions, literary genres, or historical periods. In addition, the Program organizes lectures and colloquia in tandem with the Henri Peyre French Institute throughout the year. These events provide a forum through which faculty and students exchange ideas with a wide variety of international scholars.
Students in French receive five-year Graduate Center Fellowships which allow students to focus solely on coursework in their first year. In the second, third and fourth years, Fellows teach one course each semester at a CUNY college. In the fifth year, they participate in CUNY’s Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) program or a similar initiative As a result of these assignments, students are able to gain experience as teachers as well as scholars.
The Graduate Center also provides considerable opportunities for professional development, offering workshops to assist doctoral students in presenting conference papers, publishing work, applying for fellowships, and finding academic employment. Recent graduates of our program have accepted positions at Williams College, Syracuse University, Colby College, Drexel University, Bennington College, University of South Carolina, and Southern Methodist University.

The Henri Peyre French Institute
Inspired by Henri Peyre's rich intellectual legacy, The Henri Peyre French Institute presents a wide range of special events that are free to the public and open to everyone who values and enjoys French and Francophone cultures.
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Get to know our community
Our multidisciplinary program has attracted students from all around the world with varied backgrounds that range beyond traditionally defined literary interests. These students add a different perspective to classroom discussions and make our program an intellectually vibrant place to study.
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