MA in French and Romance Philology in New York United States | Columbia University

The Department of French and Romance Philology serves as a dynamic hub connecting American, European, and African academic traditions in French and Francophone literary and cultural studies. Our faculty includes ten distinguished professors with expertise spanning from medieval studies to contemporary literature and intellectual history. Around thirty graduate students pursue advanced studies in French at Columbia, undergoing thorough training in literary theory and cultural history before focusing on their chosen research specialization. Our diverse student community represents numerous countries beyond the US and Canada, including Belgium, China, France, Germany, the UK, Romania, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The department uniquely benefits from Columbia's Maison Française, the first French cultural center established at an American university. This vibrant space, complete with its library and dining facilities, forms the social heart of our department. Through its extensive programming—including lectures, conferences, film screenings, and casual discussions—the Maison Française brings together students, academics, professionals, and anyone interested in deepening their knowledge of Francophone cultures worldwide.