Graduate FAQ
For the Literature and Language & Civilization programs:
You need to submit an application, the application fee, a personal statement in French or English, a résumé or curriculum vitae, as well as an academic writing sample in French, double spaced and not exceeding 25 pages. Official GRE scores are required, along with an official transcript from all universities attended and three letters of recommendation.
For the MA in TFFL program:
Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree with a minor or major in French language or literature or an equivalent degree from an accredited college or university. To be recommended for teacher certification upon completion of this M.A. program, applicants must have completed at least 25 college credits in French prior to admission. Applicants who are deficient in credits or who do not meet this credit requirement should take the CLEP exam to earn an equivalency of 12 college credits or take NYU SCPS' language proficiency test to earn an equivalency of up to 16 college credits.
Interested candidates apply through the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. In addition to meeting standard Steinhardt application requirements and deadlines, applicants for this M.A. program must submit GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, and an academic writing sample in French that may not exceed 25 pages.
Is the GRE mandatory?
Yes. All three programs require official GRE scores. There is no possibility of waiving this requirement.
Is there a minimum GRE score?
No, there is no minimum GRE score required, although the GRE score is an important component of your application. When making admissions decisions, the committee looks at all aspects of an application, including supporting materials.
Is there a minimum GPA?
Applicants should have a GPA of a 3.0 or greater.
What level of French should I have in order to be admitted to the program?
As the program is conducted exclusively in French, you need excellent written and spoken French skills and the ability to express yourself critically in the language. Graduate students are welcome to audit the two week preliminary language workshop that is part of the undergraduate program with permission of the NYU Paris director. The workshop takes place a week or so prior to the beginning of the graduate semester and is an intensive review of French language. Students who intend to audit this class must make arrangements to arrive in Paris before the usual graduate arrival date.
How do I prove in my application that my French is at the right level?
We look at your formal academic training in French as well as your writing sample in order to assess your command of the written and spoken language.
What if I don’t have a sample of academic writing in French?
If you do not have an academic paper in French, you can write one for the application. Choose a topic and approach that demonstrate your ability to articulate complex and critical thinking in French.
Can I get professors who taught me in subjects other than French to write letters of recommendation?
If possible, you should have at least two recommendations from professors who have taught you in French. If this is not possible, approach recommenders who can comment on your intellectual strengths and your contributions in the classroom. Letters from employers and other recommenders are also accepted, but you should provide at least two academic references.
Can letters of recommendation be written in French?
Yes.
What can I do to improve my chances of acceptance?
The key documents for the application are your transcript, personal statement, writing sample, and letters of recommendation. Make sure to carefully proofread your French-language documents and to give as much information as you can to your recommenders to help them write the best possible letters for you.
Can I waive the application fee?
Unfortunately, only certain programs in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences are eligible for a fee waiver and ours is not one of them.
May I apply to the M.A. at NYU Paris and another program at the same time?
No, you cannot apply to more than one program in GSAS at the same time.
When can I expect a response about decisions?
In general, admissions notifications take about one to two months to process.
Who are the faculty at NYU Paris?
Most courses are taught by NYU Paris’s own faculty as well as by professors from the Parisian university system. Visiting faculty from New York normally teach at least one course a year.
Can I enroll in courses at a Parisian university or must I take all my classes at NYU Paris?
All NYU Paris students have the opportunity to take courses in the Parisian university system, in addition to core courses in the individual curricula that are taught at the NYU Paris center. Due to differences in registration periods between France and the US, students register for their courses upon arrival in France.
How many students are typically in the M.A. program?
There are usually between 15 and 30 graduate students each year.
How big are the classes?
Class size varies at NYU Paris; the required courses will have a greater number of students, but most tend to be small seminars with between 5 and 15 students. Classes at the University of Paris are larger.
Are there any field trips included in the program?
The graduate program begins with a weekend trip to Giverny for orientation. NYU Paris proposes a wide variety of cultural activities during the academic year and the summer session. Students can take part in activities such as weekend trips, opera, ballet, theater and museum visits.
Where is the NYU Paris center?
NYU Paris is located at 56 rue de Passy, in a quaint 19th century townhouse and its carriage house. The neighborhood of Passy is a fairly residential area, but the rue de Passy itself is one of the main shopping streets of the 16th arrondissement. The NYU Paris center in the western half of Paris on the right bank of the Seine and it is not far from the Eiffel tower. The nearest métro stations are Passy on line 6 and La Muette on line 9.
What housing options does the program offer?
Graduate students are responsible for finding their own housing; however, the NYU Paris housing coordinator can provide you with a list of useful websites and guidance on how to choose a suitable apartment and area. An affordable option is a room at the Fondation des États Unis, which is a graduate student residence for Americans in Paris. It is located in the 14th arrondissement. Students are responsible for applying individually; NYU Paris cannot arrange housing at the Fondation on your behalf. Because the rooms tend to fill up rapidly for the upcoming year, it is important to apply as soon as you are accepted in to the program. See the website for more details.
What opportunities are there for working in Paris while completing the M.A. program?
The range of legal work opportunities for US students is fairly limited. Although US nationals with a student visa are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week, the French employer must seek official authorization, which can be a deterrent for them. Students have been able to find informal employment as English tutors and babysitters quite easily. In general, NYU Paris doesn’t recommend working much more that 10-15 hours per week, as the program is full time and the workload is heavy.
What are the approximate cost of living expenses for the year?
This depends very much on your individual tastes and lifestyles, as well as fluctuations in the exchange rate. For 2008-2009, estimated monthly living costs were between 900€ and 1350€ for students living in apartments and between 500€ and 800€ for students living at the Fondation des États Unis. On top of these expenses, you will need to add the cost of flights, insurance, and other incidental expenses, such as your visa. Taking all these variables into account, you can assume living costs of between 10,000€ and 18,000€ for the year.
Will I need a visa to study in Paris?
Unless you are a citizen of one of the European Union member states, you will need to obtain a long stay student visa before your departure. You will receive full information and supporting documentation following your acceptance.
Does completing an M.A. in Literature at NYU Paris mean that I will be able to continue on to the Ph.D. program in New York?
Please note that students who complete the M.A. degree in Paris are not automatically accepted into the Ph.D. program in New York; a student wishing to enter the doctoral program must reapply to the Ph.D. program.
What career opportunities does an M.A. from NYU Paris open up for me?
Alumni from the M.A. program go on to pursue a variety of different careers both in and beyond education and academia in the United States, France and elsewhere. Each year, recent graduates from the M.A. in Literature program go on to Ph.D. programs. Many graduates return to the United States to teach French in public and private high schools and community colleges. In recent years, alumni have also gone on to work in publishing, translation, marketing, journalism and business. The new M.A. in Teaching French as a Foreign Language results in New York State certification for grades 7 – 12.
How much does the program cost?
For the 2011–2012 academic year, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences tuition is $1,382.00 per point, per term. NYU Paris students receive a 30% tuition reduction. For fall 2011, the initial registration fee is $448.00 for the first point. Each subsequent point has an additional registration and service fee of $61.00. Thus, full tuition for fall 2011 for 16 points (4 courses at 4 points each) is $23,475.00, while NYU Paris tuition is $16,842.00. The tuition rates for the joint TFFL M.A. in the Steinhardt School and GSAS are the same. Tuition rates for the 2012–2013 academic year will be posted in Spring 2012.
What financial aid is available?
All NYU Paris graduate students receive a 30% tuition reduction for studying in Paris. Each year, NYU Paris also offers a limited number of competitive, merit-based fellowships. In order for your application to be considered for such an award, it must be received by the priority deadline of March 1.
New York University offers several loan programs to students. Information is available at www.nyu.edu/financial.aid or at the Office of Financial Aid (212-998-4444).
What is the Tuition Incentive Program (TIP)?
The Graduate School’s Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) encourages students to apply for external grants and provides matching tuition points (from 50% to 100%) to eligible recipients of external awards from recognized, academic sources of funding outside NYU. For applications and specific details about TIP eligibility criteria, please visit www.nyu.edu/gsas/Admissions/tipform.html.
