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The Department of French and Francophone Studies
Graduate Handbook

Jobs for French M.A. and Ph.D. Graduates

Current Situation

The job market is shifting very rapidly. Currently, because of budgetary constraints, many universities have eliminated faculty positions as retirements occur. In order to be successful in the job market (particularly for large research universities), graduate students must have an outstanding record, including some publications and conference paper presentations. Close consultation with faculty advisors and the Co-Directors of Graduate Studies is recommended for counseling and assistance with the job search. It is advisable to check MLA job lists carefully (even before the completion of the degree) to monitor job opportunities. As they are published, the MLA job lists are available in the department and also on line.

Furthermore, the U.S. is only one segment of the world of higher education. In some other countries, higher education is in a period of rapid expansion. Finally, there are non-academic jobs that often interest students with an M.A. or Ph.D., including work in the private sector (publishing and business) and the public sector (various federal, state, and local government agencies).

Penn State's Career Development and Placement Services, the French and Francophone Studies Department, the MLA Job Information List, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and various other sources and agencies can help students identify available academic and non-academic jobs in the U.S. and to a lesser extent in other countries. As students prepare their job search, they should establish a dossier in the Educational Career Services (105 MBNA Building, 865.5131). Students interested in combining an M.A. in French with Secondary Teaching Certification should contact the Secondary Education Program Office (143 Chambers Building, 865.6321).

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