Students pursuing a PhD in French and Francophone Studies at WashU receive 5 years of full funding, with opportunities for additional research and conference travel funds, fellowships, and summer experiences. Students work closely with our active, dynamic faculty, whose interdisciplinary research and teaching demonstrate remarkable historical and geographical scope. You can complete coursework and pursue research in Medieval through contemporary French and Francophone literature and culture spanning Europe, North and West Africa, and the Caribbean. Our interdisciplinary approaches extend from comparative arts through medical and digital humanities and translation studies. St. Louis celebrates its own Francophone heritage and provides a rich historical and cultural context in which to study. Our French ConneXions cultural center, recognized by the French government as a Centre d’Excellence, features local, national, and international speakers and events throughout the year.
French and Francophone Studies Graduate Programs
Our Degree Programs
Supporting our Students
How to Apply
To be considered for admission to our doctoral program, you will need to submit your online application and all supporting materials by December 1, 2026 for Fall 2027 admission.
admissions Information and applicationYour Path to the PhD in French and Francophone Studies
Graduate students pursuing French and Francophone studies at Washington University in St. Louis have considerable freedom to tailor their course of study to their needs and interests. Pedagogical and professional training, research and summer funding, exams that build upon coursework and pave the way for teaching and research, conference presentations and publications, as well as for alternative career paths are all integral parts of our program. Close mentoring relationships with core and affiliate faculty in our doctoral and certificate programs help ensure you make steady progress towards your goals. Reading and research groups, fellowship opportunities, our French ConneXions cultural center, and a lively, engaged graduate community provide an enriching and supportive context for your studies.
Graduate Resources
The Center for Teaching and Learning
find information about teaching & learning
The Graduate Center
meet, connect, and engage with other graduate and professional students
Request for RLL Graduate Summer Opportunities
request financial assistance for summer scholarly work
Graduate Travel Funding Request
the form for requesting funding assistance to travel
Office of Graduate Studies
WashU Arts & Sciences
Center for the Humanities
The Center for the Humanities facilitates the labor of humanists by fostering innovative research, transformative collaborations, and vibrant community engagement locally and globally.
International Student Support Hub
Learn about resources across WashU for A&S international graduate students
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"The French program at Washington University provided me with excellent preparation in teaching and research. My faculty mentors encouraged me to publish articles, to attend conferences, and offered valuable critical perspectives, allowing me to write a truly interdisciplinary dissertation. Further, the teacher training I received was elemental in my first year on the job. Washington University offers excellent library resources and avenues for intellectual exchange, while the city of St. Louis is a vibrant cultural center."
― Amanda Lee, PhD Visiting Assistant Professor of French, Colgate University