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If you are considering a career in French translation, you may want to obtain your master’s in translation with a focus in French, and also benefit from the flexibility of an online education.

What Is a Master’s in French Translation?

A French translation degree prepares students for a career in the language industry. This includes any career where you would be tasked to translate or localize from French into English.

Though becoming an effective translator is the overarching goal of students seeking the degree, a master’s in French translation incorporates a diverse array of translation competencies, such as localization, editing, CAT tools and terminology, project management, intercultural communication, and other specialized translation practices. These skills help students to successfully navigate numerous facets of the French translation field no matter what career they decide to pursue.

Why Should You Pursue a French Translation Degree

In the United States, other than English at home, with many of them being French speakers. The need for French translators doesn’t stop in the United States, however; it continues on a global scale, with French being a major language of international institutions such as the United Nations, European Union, NATO, International Olympic Committee, and Red Cross. 

The need for translators is also incredibly important for organizations to operate successfully. In fact, companies that invest in translation are actually to increase in overall revenue. So if you obtain a master’s in French translation, you will be considered a valued asset for a business’s overall growth! 

A French Translation degree is also versatile, playing a role in international diplomacy, governance, luxury brands, and fashion industries. With brands such as LVMH, Hermès, and Chanel all headquartered in France, the opportunities available to those with a French translation background are widespread and growing. 

Nations outside of France with an increased interest in French-speakers include Canada and the countries of Francophone Africa, which is projected to have over 700 million French speakers by 2050. With the language spoken across 29 countries around the world, French-proficiency is in high demand and is a strong asset for those entering the workforce.

Career Opportunities with a French Master’s Degree Specialization

A master’s degree in translation can open up an array of possibilities, which can consist of numerous career roles. These include:

• Language consultants
• Localizers
• Post-editors
• Professional translators
• Project managers
• Quality managers
• Terminologists
• Much more

Ģ����ý Our Master’s of Translation in French Program

The Master of Arts in Translation with a language specialization in French is offered within the Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies, and we are proud to offer an online M.A. in translation option. Through our premier online program, students are able to earn their master’s in French translation from anywhere, whether it’s their own living room or within another country! Additionally, the online curriculum is perfectly suited for those currently working, as our asynchronous courses can easily accommodate a busy schedule.

Course Information for the Master’s Degree in Translation with a Specialization in French

Students who obtain their French translation degree online through Ģ����ý will take 36 semester hours’ worth of classes. For students who study with us full time, the program is completed in two years. For students looking to obtain their French translation degree on a part-time basis, the program is completed in three to six years. Visit our roadmap for part-time students for more information.
 

Select courses you will take as part of our program include Theory of Translation and Terminology and Computer Applications, but you will also have the opportunity to take a number of French-specific courses, including:

• Practice of Translation in French
• French Scientific/Technical/Medical Translation
• French Literary and Cultural Translation
• French Commercial/Legal/Diplomatic Translation
• Case Study in French Translation

Faculty Spotlight

Our French translation specialization is managed by experienced faculty members who have extensive training in both the field and the classroom. You can see a comprehensive list of instructors on our faculty page, but here are two of our professors who provide significant value to the program.

Trask Roberts, Ph.D.
 

Dr. Trask Roberts has a background in French, Francophone studies, and French literature and translation studies, among other areas. He is an author, with his works appearing in the Journal of Modern Literature as well as other publications. Awarded the 2024 Martha Cheung Award for Best English Article in Translation Studies by an Early Career Scholar, Dr. Roberts is an invaluable member of the Master of Arts Translation faculty.

We recently interviewed Dr. Roberts to learn more about his journey and insights into the program. To dive deeper into all of his responses, be sure to visit our post, but, for now, here’s one key takeaway he offered:

Q: What sets Ģ����ý’s language programs apart from similar programs at other schools?

“Ģ����ý’s language program is special because it’s housed in one of the largest language departments in northeast Ohio. Students can select courses in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, German, Japanese, French, Spanish, American Sign Language, and Italian. 

In addition, we are home to one of the oldest translation programs in the United States. We offer degrees in translation from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. Our graduates are all over the globe working in dozens of industries.”

Teresa Villa-Ignacio

A published author and Associate Professor of French and Translation, Dr. Teresa Villa-Ignacio is a dedicated instructor at Ģ����ý. She is a Fulbright Scholar and recipient of an Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship, with special focuses on contemporary poetic and translational interventions in ethical philosophy.

ADMISSION INFORMATION FOR OUR FRENCH TRANSLATION DEGREE ONLINE

The admission guidelines for our M.A. in Translation with a specialization in French include:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• A CD or MP3/wav file with a five-minute oral sample in the applicant's first and second languages (conversational, not read from a script)
• Writing sample(s) in the applicant's second language, which should be accompanied by a signed declaration that the sample is original work and that the applicant received no help in its preparation
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 550 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
  • Minimum79 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
  • Minimum 77 MELAB score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 Duolingo English Test score

For detailed information on all requirements, be sure to visit our admission requirements page, and feel free to reach out to us with any questions.

How Much Does It Cost to Pursue a French Translation Master’s Degree?

Tuition prices are influenced by multiple factors, including number of credit hours and in-state or out-of-state fees. For updated information on costs, please visit the webpage.

WHAT MAKES KENT STATE’S ONLINE FRENCH TRANSLATION DEGREE STAND OUT?

With our 90% graduation rate, stellar faculty and staff, and exceptional coursework crafted to instruct in all aspects of translation, localization, and language project management, Ģ����ý’s master’s degree in translation with a specialized focus in French is quite remarkable.

And because our classes are offered totally online, you can complete our program from anywhere in the world, and on your schedule.

Learn More Ģ����ý Our Online Master's Degree in Translation for French!

Want to learn more about all that Ģ����ý can provide for you and your career? Request more information today!