Graduate Programs

Programs of Study

The Department of Modern Languages and Classics offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) French, a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Spanish; a Master of Arts (M.A.) in French with optional concentrations in French Literature or North American French Studies. Individuals interested in applying should consult the graduate coordinator of the Department of Modern Languages and Classics for specific information on admission and graduation requirements.

• Master of Arts in Teaching French
• Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish

The M.A.T. in French (30 credits) and the M.A.T. in Spanish (30 credits) have been redesigned with the collaboration of the campuses of the University of Maine System and Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin Colleges specifically to meet the needs of Maine’s schools. The programs offer full-time instruction during the academic year to meet the requirements of pre-service teachers and an intensive institute during the summer for in-service teachers. Candidates take seven to eight courses (21-24 credits) in language, literature, culture and linguistics in the target language, one course in language pedagogy (MLC 466/566) and one course on teaching the exceptional student in English (SED 402/500). An oral exam and a professional teaching portfolio which illustrate the candidate’s familiarity with Maine’s teaching standards and his/her readiness to teach a second language in the K-12 classroom are the final requirements for both degrees.

In-service teachers who are already certified to teach French or Spanish may opt to take additional courses in their target language, or they may resume the study of a second foreign language at the advanced (400 or 500) level in lieu of taking courses leading to certification.

The Maine State Summer Institute for Teachers of French and Spanish is planned and overseen by an Advisory Council that makes recommendations to the Graduate Coordinator of the Department of Modern Languages and Classics at the University of Maine, Prof. Raymond Pelletier.

• Major Courses and Graduate Courses in French
• Major Courses and Graduate Courses in Spanish

The Master of Arts in French

This program (30 credits) is intended for individuals with an interest in language, linguistics, literature, or culture and who are considering pursuing a doctoral degree in the field. The candidate will be expected to demonstrate both oral and written proficiency in French in the course of his or her studies. Candidates must complete 24 credits of course work in literature, language, linguistics and culture, with a minimum of 12 credits at the 500-level. The program of study may include courses in other departments when these relate to the student’s field of interest. Six hours of thesis credits are also required. Upon completion of the thesis, the Master of Arts candidate will defend the thesis for a committee of the graduate faculty at an oral examination which will also include questions on the student’s course work.

The Master of Arts in French
With a concentration in French Literature

This concentration is intended for individuals with an interest in literature. Candidates specializing in French literature are expected to complete the requirements for the M.A. described above by including four courses in literature, three of which must be at the 500-level, in their program of study.

The Master of Arts in French
With a concentration in North American French Studies

North American French studies at the University of Maine developed from a natural link between the department and the geographic location of the university. The large number of francophone citizens who make up the population of the state of Maine, the significant communities with French heritage (Quebe cois and Acadian) that surround it, and the presence of Franco-American and Canadian-American Centers on campus have combined to create a strong interest and an expertise in North American French language and culture. The requirements for this degree are similar to those of the M.A. described above. The primary difference is that literature, language, and culture courses will be oriented to francophone North America.

Financial Aid

The Department of Modern Languages and Classics annually awards two Teaching Assistantships. TAs generally teach one first or second-year French course per semester. Graduate degree candidates may also be nominated for Trustee Tuition Scholarships and University Graduate Research Assistantships offered by the Graduate School. Others may qualify for Canadian-American Center Assistantships, New England, Atlantic Provinces, and Québec Fellowships, and Foreign Language and International Study awards available through the Canadian-American Center.

The Graduate Faculty

• Prof. Raymond Pelletier (French), Graduate Coordinator
• Prof. Eugene Del Vecchio (Spanish), Graduate Board Representative
• Prof. Cathleen Bauschatz (Emerita, French)
• Prof. Kathleen March (Spanish)
• Prof. Kristina Passman (Classics)
• Prof. Susan Pinette (Franco American Studies)
• Prof. Kathryn Slott (French)
• Prof. Jane Smith (French)

Associate Graduate Faculty

Associate Graduate Faculty generally teach graduate courses or serve on M.A. thesis or M.A.T. portfolio committees.

• Prof. Mireille Baurens, French, Institut Universitaire de Formation des Maîtres, Université de Lyon, France
• Prof. Charlotte Daniels (French), Bowdoin College
• Prof. Nancy Erickson, French, University of Southern Maine
• Ms. Claudette O’Connell (Retired), French, Brewer School Department
• Prof. Kirk Read, French, Bates College

Current Graduate Students in French (2012-13)

• Danielle Cooley (B.A. University of Southern Maine); candidate for the M.A.T. in French
• Joe Garbowski (B.A. Long Island University); candidate for the M.A. in French
• Hilary Hanscom (B.A. Maine); candidate for the M.A. in French and Graduate Trustee Tuition Scholarship recipient
• Teresa Hess (B.A. SUNY Plattsburgh); candidate for the M.A. in French and FLAS awardee
• Benjamin Hewes (B.A. Lafayette College); candidate for the M.A. in French
• Sarah Kazmierczak (B.A. Smith College, M.A. University of Maine); candidate for the I.Ph.D. in North American French Studies
• Megan Linscott (B.A. University of Maine at Presque Isle); candidate for the M.A.T. in French and graduate teaching assistant
• Diane Pelletier (B.A. University of California – Santa Barbara); candidate for the M.A.T. in French
• Lise Pelletier (B.A. Université de Moncton, M.A. University of Maine); candidate for the I.Ph.D. in North  American French Studies
• Elisa Sance (License, Université d’Angers); candidate for the M.A. in French and graduate teaching assistant
• Sarah Simpson (B.A. University of Maine); candidate for the M.A.T. in French
• Marjolaine Whittlesey (B.A. College of the Atlantic), candidate for the M.A. in French; currently teaching in Wiscassett, ME

Current Graduate Students in Spanish (2011-12)

• Johanna Bridges (Bachelor’s, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana); candidate for the M.A.T. in Spanish
• Aaron Henderson (B.A. University of Maine); candidate for the M.A.T. in Spanish
• Ana Leira-Jimenez (B.A. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela); candidate for the M.A.T. in Spanish and the M.A. in Liberal Studies
• Rachel Precopio-White (B.A. University of Maine); candidate for the M.A.T. in Spanish

Recent Graduates of the M.A. and M.A.T. programs

• Essivi Abotsi (B.A. University of Togo); M.A.T. in French (2010)
• Timothy N. Allen (B.A. Empire State College); M.A.T. in French (2011)
• Robert Daigle (B.A. Keene State University); M.A.T. in French (2012)
• Brooke Plourde Dupuy (B.A. University of Maine); M.A. in French Dipthongs in Franco-American French of Waterville, Maine (2007) ; currently teaching in Hermon, ME
• Yann Dupuy (Licence Université d’Angers); M.A.T. in French (2008); currently an adjunct instructor at UMaine
• Louisket Edmond (B.A. University of Miami); M.A.T. in French (2009); currently teaching in Connecticut
• Meaghann Fisher (B.A. University of Maine); M.A. in French (2011)
• Ewan Good (B.A. University of Nottingham, U.K.); M.A. thesis on Anne Hébert (2009); currently teaching in Farmington, ME
• Elizabeth Goodridge, M.A. in French thesis on Madame D’Aulnoy’s feminist vision of 17th century French fairytales defended (2008); teaching in Appleton, ME
• Alison Huff (B.A. University of Maine); M.A.T. in Spanish (2012)
• Danielle Laliberté (B.A., M.A. University of Maine); M.A. in French (2011)
• Susan Lamont (B.A. Miami University); M.A.T. in Spanish (2012)
• Caroline Loiseau (B.A. Moorhead State University); M.A.T. in French (2009); currently teaching in South Carolina.
• Megan McNeely (B.A. Michigan State University), M.A.T. in French (2009); currently teaching in Nantucket, MA
• Jean Miller (B.A. Cornell University), M.A.T. in French (2009); currently teaching in Harvard, MA
• Ruth Parent (B.A. University of Maine); M.A.T. in French (2009); teaching in Hermon, ME
• Lise Pelletier (B.A. Université de Moncton, M.A. Maine); currently working as director of the Acadian Archives at the University of Maine at Fort Kent (ME) and a candidate for the I.Ph.D. with a concentration in North American French Studies
• Christian Poulin (B.A. Bates College); M.A.T. in French (2008); teaching in Hallowell, ME
• Maria Rier (B.A. Mount Holyoke College); M.A.T. in French (2009); teaching in Jay, ME
• Elizabeth Margaret Seekins (B.A. University of Maine); M.A. in French (Existentialism in Simone de Beauvoir) (2007)
• Deborah Taylor (B.A. College of the Holy Cross); M.A.T. in French (2009); currently teaching in Wiscasset, ME
• Patricia Thibault (B.A. University of Maine), M.A.T. in French (2009); teaching in Cumberland, ME
• Jane Thiebaud (B.A.Sweet Briar College), M.A.T. in French University of Maine); I-Ph.D. (Madame de Rambouillet) (2007).
• Michelle Vit (B.A. Michigan State University), M.A.T. in French (2008); currently teaching at Fort Bragg, NC

For more information, contact the Graduate Coordinator, Prof. Raymond Pelletier, at Raymond.Pelletier@umit.maine.edu or visit the Graduate School website at http://www.umaine.edu/graduate/.

Would you like to apply?  Please follow this link to the Graduate School’s online application:  https://www.umaine.edu/graduate/application.