博士 《现代法文研究》一书涵盖了近代早期到现在。博士生必须修毕600级或更高水平的硕士课程后至少修读八门课程。所有学生都接受三门核心课程，以接受相同的基础分析培训，然后，在与导师协商下，制定出个性化的学习计划，其中包括最符合他们兴趣的五门课程。（法语898，准备博士考试，可能算作这五门课程中的一门。）建议某些学生参加一门或多门附加课程，以便为他们的综合考试和论文题目做更好的准备。
The Ph.D. in modern French studies at the University of Maryland offers comprehensive training in French and Francophone studies, including teaching, research and professionalization. The program offers seminars in French and Francophone literature, culture and film, in addition to French language and linguistics. With the guidance of internationally recognized faculty specializing in a range of genres and issues and reflective of the diversity and complexity of the French-speaking world, students develop competencies in innovative research methods and approaches such as critical theory, gender and sexuality studies, colonial and post-colonial studies, cultural and media criticism, ecocriticism and digital humanities, among others. The French Ph.D. program fosters collaborative work across disciplines, languages, media, centuries and fields. Students may pursue graduate certificates in affiliated programs such as women, gender and sexuality studies, comparative literature and digital humanities, as well as participate in Graduate School field committees in film studies and in medieval and early modern studies. Students are encouraged to pursue independent and innovative thinking through individualized curricula and research projects with the support of the French program's intellectual community. Students are normally granted full funding for four years, with the possibility of an additional year, contingent upon availability of funds. Annual renewal of financial support is based on satisfactory performance and progress in the program. The program also provides thorough pedagogical training and teaching experience in French language, literature and culture courses.