Optional French Language Course Package

While students enrolling at the American Graduate School in Paris are not required to have any knowledge of French language in order to be admitted, those pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. degree at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy are required to have an intermediate level of French by the end of the program in order to graduate.

AGS offers to those students a special package of French courses along with their degree program in order to help them reach and, depending on their starting level, possibly exceed, that French language graduation requirement. These courses are a good way to make the most of the full immersion in French already provided by the Paris location of the school.

French language courses are offered in partnership with AGS by the world-renowned french language school Alliance Française. 

Students are assessed on their French upon enrollment in order to determine the classes that are best suited to their level. When completing the program, they obtain a diploma of French language studies recognized in France and throughout Europe (DELF - Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française) in addition to their American Master or Ph.D. (and, for those who have undertaken one of the double-degree programs, in addition to their European Master's degree).

The French language course package is optional. Students who do not wish to take courses at Alliance Française may choose to enroll at another language school at their own expense or opt out of French courses altogether. They must still prove that they have reached the graduation requirement in order to obtain their M.A. or Ph.D. degree.

Beginners and non-beginners below level required for graduation

• Entering students whose level of French is below level 2 (see level scale) as required for graduation take a six-month extensive French course at Alliance Française (in the same building) starting in their first semester. Every student is assigned to the course that is best suited to their individual level.

• This course allows students to reach a minimum of level 2. Students who enter the program with some knowledge of French are able to reach level 3 or 4.

• They obtain a certificate from Alliance Française and the DELF (Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française) diploma recognized throughout Europe.

• This certificate allows them to fulfill the graduation requirement at AGSIRD.

• Then they may choose to continue improving their French and obtain a higher degree. Such additional coursework is not included in the AGSIRD program's tuition fee. Students who choose to continue their French language studies at Alliance Française receive a 12% discount on language courses.

Non-beginners above level required for graduation

• Entering students whose level of French is at or above level 2 (see level scale) as required for graduation may take a six-month extensive French course at Alliance Française (in the same building).

• Depending on their starting level, these courses allow students to reach from level 4 to full mastery. Many course options are available, from oral and written workshops to French civilization courses.

• These students obtain a certificate from Alliance Française and the DELF (Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française) diploma recognized throughout Europe.

Fluent in French or French mother-tongue

Students who already have a full mastery of French when enrolling at AGS are not required to take the assessment test when entering the program and the evaluation test for graduation.

Alliance Française Registration and Withdrawal Policy

Students who wish to enroll in French courses at Alliance Française will register with AGS at the beginning of their first semester. Typically French courses at Alliance Française will begin in the month following registration with AGS. Alliance Française has a strict withdrawal policy and does not offer reimbursements after the start of their courses.