Students must apply and be admitted to the graduate program in French and Francophone Studies and The Graduate School before they can apply for admission to the dual-title degree program. After admission to their primary program, students must apply for admission to and meet the admission requirements of the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies dual-title program. Refer to the Admission Requirements section of the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Bulletin page. Applicants interested in the dual-title degree program may make their interest in the program known clearly on their applications to French and Francophone Studies and include remarks in their statement of purpose that address the ways in which their research and professional goals in the primary department reflect an interest in Women's Studies-related research.
To be enrolled in the Dual-Title Doctoral Degree Program in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, a student must have the approval of the French and Francophone Studies Department and then submit a letter of application and transcript, which will be reviewed by the Women's Studies Admissions committee. An applicant must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale) to be considered for enrollment in the dual-title degree program. Students must be admitted into the dual-title degree program in Women's Studies prior to obtaining candidacy in French and Francophone Studies.
Undergraduate grade-point average, with emphasis given to the grade-point average in the major
Grade-point average in previous graduate work
At least three academic references
An oral and written sample of skills in the French language for English and speakers of other languages, and in the English language for francophones
Official transcripts of all post-secondary work, showing degree(s) earned. International applicants must submit official or attested university records. If the records are not in English, certified translations must be submitted. Notarized copies are not sufficient.
(Please note: When you submit your electronic application you will need to upload a copy of your transcripts. If you are recommended for admission into the French and Francophone Studies graduate program you will be notified that official/original transcripts must be sent from the originating institutions for review by the Graduate School, in order to finalize your admission. Official transcripts will then be sent directly to the Penn State Grad School (not the department of French and Francophone Studies). The Grad School will include instructions for the submission of the official transcripts at this time.
These application materials should be submitted electronically when filing your online application:
Minimum of three letters of recommendation from college faculty who know your work well. In seeking letters of recommendation, we would ask that the following points be addressed:
Research abilities (what concrete evidence, potential)
Teaching abilities (experience and potential)
Candidate's fluency in French, written and spoken
Two-part Statement of Purpose
International applicants must take and submit scores for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), with the exceptions noted below. The minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test, or a total score of 80 with a 19 on the speaking section for the Internet-based test (iBT). Applicants with iBT speaking scores between 15 and 18 may be considered for provisaaional admission, enrollment, and, if necessary, remedial course work. The minimum composite score for the IELTS is 6.5. Revised TOEFL PBT July 2017 and later 60