College of Arts & Humanities
Department of Modern Languages
227 Armstrong Hall
507-389-2116
Modern Language graduate study at Minnesota State University, Mankato enables students to pursue the Master of Science in French (Secondary Teaching) or the Master of Science Community College Track in French. The Department of Modern Languages also offers graduate courses in French for the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT in French) degree. The MAT program is designed for those who want to teach at the secondary level but lack certification. The Modern Language courses associated with the MAT degree are also listed below.
Admission
Complete the general admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and Research. Applicants must possess French oral proficiency at a level of advanced low on the ACTFL proficiency scale or equivalent (contact department for information). A writing sample in French, a personal statement in English summarizing experiences and professional goals that apply to the MS degree in French, and two letters of recommendation, one from an undergraduate instructor or academic advisor should be forwarded to the Department Chair.
Graduate Assistantships
A number of graduate teaching assistantships are available during the academic year. A graduate assistant in the Department of Modern Languages teaches classes in elementary French, German, Spanish, or ESL and receives a salary. For more information, contact the College of Graduate Studies and Research or the Department of Modern Languages.
Graduate Study Abroad
Graduate credit can be earned in French on department-sponsored Study Abroad Programs conducted at institutions in France. For more information, consult the Department of Modern Languages.
French MS
Community College Option
(Thesis Plan - 30 credits)
(Alternate Plan Paper -34 credits)
Students interested in teaching at the Community College level should see their advisor about identifying methods courses to strengthen their teaching ability. Licensure is not required to teach at the Community College level, but courses in teaching skills are recommended. This program prepares students of French for teaching in higher education. Fifty percent of the credits must be taken at the 600 level, excluding thesis or APP credits.
Required Major Teaching Field (16-22 credits)
Choose any 500/600 level French courses selected in consultation with an advisor.
Required Modern Language Methods (3 credits)
MODL 560 – Methods of Teaching Modern Languages, unless an equivalent course was taken at the undergraduate level.
Required Professional Education credits (6 credits)
Choose any 500/600 level Professional Education courses selected in consultation with an advisor.
Required Electives (2-6 credits)
Choose any 500/600 level elective courses selected in consultation with an advisor.
Required Thesis or Alternate Plan Paper
- FREN 694 – Alternate Plan Paper (1 or 1-2)
- FREN 699 – Thesis (3 or 3-4)
French Education MS
(Discipline-Based)
(Thesis Plan - 30 credits)
(Alternate Plan Paper - 34 credits)
This degree does not lead to teacher licensure. Students who desire licensure should consult the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program. Emphasis in French is available.
This program is primarily for teachers of French who are interested in pursuing an advanced degree in the language and in increasing their proficiency. The degree requires courses totaling 30 credits (with thesis) or 34 credits (with alternate plan paper). Fifty percent (50%) of the credits must be taken at the 600 level (excluding thesis and APP credits).
Required French (18-22 credits)
Choose any 500/600 level French courses selected in consultation with an advisor.
Required Professional Education (6 credits)
Choose any 500/600 level Professional Education courses selected in consultation with an advisor.
Required Electives (6 credits)
Choose any 500/600 level elective courses selected in consultation with an advisor.
Required Thesis or Alternate Plan Paper
- FREN 694 – Alternate Plan Paper (1 or 1-2)
- FREN 699 – Thesis (3 or 3-4)
Course Descriptions
French (FREN)
FREN 502 (3-4) French Civilization
A survey of the historical, philosophical, literary, and artistic development of France from the beginning to the present.
Prerequisite: undergraduate French major
FREN 504 (2-4) French Syntax
Systematic review of French grammar.
Prerequisite: undergraduate French major
FREN 505 (2-4) Business French I
Study of current vocabulary, terminology, and practices used in the business world. Study of developments affecting the French business, industrial, and agricultural communities.
Prerequisite: undergraduate French major
FREN 506 (2-4) Business French II
Study of France’s position in the European Economic Community and of the development of French business law with an emphasis on the obligations and rights of business people, the classification and organization of the various types of companies, the emission of contracts, and other documents.
Prerequisite: undergraduate French major
FREN 515 (1-3) Composition
Practice in descriptive, narrative, and expository writing. Acquisition of vocabulary and advanced grammatical structures.
Prerequisite: undergraduate French major
FREN 516 (1-4) Conversation
Practice in advanced conversational skills.
Prerequisite: undergraduate French major
FREN 517 (1-3) Modern France
In-depth study of different aspects of contemporary French civilization.
Prerequisite: undergraduate French major
FREN 520 (1-4) French Seminar
In-depth study of an author, genre, movement, theme, or period.
Prerequisite: undergraduate French major
FREN 532 (1-4) French Literature I
Study of the major authors, works, and movements of two successive centuries of French literature.
Prerequisite: undergraduate French major
FREN 542 (1-4) French Literature II
Study of the major authors, works, and movements of two successive centuries of French literature.
Prerequisite: undergraduate French major
FREN 552 (1-4) French Literature III
Study of the major authors, works, and movements of two successive centuries of French literature.
Prerequisite: undergraduate French major
FREN 594 (1-6) Supervised Study in French-Speaking Countries
Topics will vary. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure.
Prerequisite: undergraduate French major
FREN 597 (1-6) Internship
Prerequisite: undergraduate French major
FREN 614 (1-3) Paris Et L’Ile De France
Visits to the major churches, cathedrals, castles, monuments, museums, and neighborhoods in and around Paris.
Prerequisite: undergraduate degree in French
FREN 660 (2) Research Methods: French
Methods and tools of literary research.
Prerequisite: undergraduate degree in French
FREN 677 (1-4) Individual Study
Topics will vary.
Prerequisite: undergraduate degree in French
FREN 680 (1-3) Topics in French Literature
Topics will vary. May be repeated.
Prerequisite: undergraduate degree in French
FREN 681 (1-3) Topics in French Culture & Civilization
Topics will vary. May be repeated.
Prerequisite: undergraduate degree in French
FREN 682 (1-3) Topics in French Language Study
Topics will vary. May be repeated.
Prerequisite: undergraduate degree in French
FREN 693 (1-6) Supervised Study in a French-Speaking Country
Topics will vary. Study for credit must be approved by the department prior to departure.
Prerequisite: undergraduate degree in French
FREN 694 (1) Alternate Plan Paper
Prerequisite: undergraduate degree in French
FREN 697 (1-6) Internship: Community College Option
FREN 699 (3-6) Thesis
Prerequisite: undergraduate degree in French
Modern Language
MODL 560 (3) Methods of Teaching Modern Languages
This course is intended to provide prospective secondary school teachers and teachers of modern languages with experience and background to prepare them for teaching modern languages to secondary school children. The course meets state licensure requirements. Major topics include: Second language acquisition and child language development; comprehension-based teaching strategies; standards-based curriculum development and planning; integrating modern languages with the secondary school curriculum; subject content instruction; and teaching and assessing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Pre: Student must demonstrate oral proficiency level of Intermediate-High on ACTFL scale or equivalent in target language. Contact the department for additional details.
MODL 561 (1) Applied Modern Language Teaching Methods
A field experience in a secondary school setting for students earning licensure in modern language teaching. Practicum students work with middle or high school students of French, German, or Spanish. Take concurrently with or following MODL 460.
MODL 562 (3) Foreign Languages in the Elementary School (FLES) Methods
Introduction to theory and practice of modern language teaching for children grades K-6, including oral language development, second language literacy development, content-based language instruction, and techniques for language immersion programs. The course meets state licensure requirements.
Pre: Student must demonstrate oral proficiency level of Intermediate-mid on ACTFL scale or equivalent in target language. Contact the department for additional details.
MODL 563 (1) Applied FLES Methods
A field experience in an elementary setting for students earning licensure in modern language teaching. Practicum students work with elementary school students in French, German, or Spanish. Take concurrently with or following MODL 462.
MODL 565 (1-3) Workshop in Modern Language Education
Topics in modern language education. May be repeated for credit.