Master (France)

In France, the master is a university degree and a national Diplôme of second cycle of the higher education. It is the rank directly higher than the license. It is normally obtained 2 years after this one within the framework of a university course, or directly 5 years after the baccalaureat in the case of a course of the type University .

The rank of master

The rank of master was introduced in France within the framework of the Réforme LMD, by the decree n°99-747 of August 30th, 1999. He was added to the four preexistent ranks: the baccalaureat, the license, DEA and the doctorate.

The diploma dedicated to the collation of the rank is the diploma of master (see below). However, the rank of master can be also conferred by the State to the holders of some other diplomas, in particular:

of a Diploma of thorough studies
of a Diploma of specialized higher learning,
of a title of qualified engineer,
of a diploma of end of studies delivered by one of the Institute of political studies,
of a diploma of State of architect,
of a diploma of end of studies of certain national colleges of business and management,
of the diploma of second cycle of the School of Louvre,
of the diploma for the occupation of restorer of the inheritance,
of the diploma of the military special School of Saint-Cyr military school,
diploma of fundamental studies veterinary surgeons.

The diploma of master

The national diploma of master was created by decree 2002-603 and the decree of April 25th, 2002.

This diploma prepares in two years after the license, it is generally delivered by a university and thus sanctions five years of studies after the baccalaureat.

The diploma of master is declined in two finalities: the finality of research ( master research ) whose normal outlet is the preparation of a Doctorat and the professional purpose ( master professional ) which prepares at the entry in the working life. The distinction is made either at the entry master, or after the first year.

Organization

The preparation of the master proceeds in 4 six-month periods after obtaining the license. The heading of the master is organized in fields, finality then mentions and specialities (example: master in sciences and technologies with finality seeks data-processing mention, speciality software genius). The orientation is done in a progressive way.

The courses are structured in units of teaching (EU) whose volume of work is measured by using the European Système of transfer and accumulation of appropriations but contrary with the license, it does not have there inevitably the possibility of second session, compensation or redoubling. The contents of the lesson, the methods of assessment of knowledge, entry and progression are fixed by each university then subjected to enabling near the minister of education main road.

To be registered in the formations leading to the diploma of master, the students must justify:

is of a national diploma conferring the rank of license in a field compatible with that of the national diploma of master;
is of one of the validations envisaged with the articles L. 613-3, L. 613-4 and L. 613-5 of the code of education.

In the universities, the access of the licensee student, in the same field, is of right for the first year. This first year (M1) of master can be sanctioned by the intermediate diploma of the control which amongst other things gives access to the presentation of the contest of aggregation, like to various contests of the French Public office (A) category or direct integration in the professional life.

Admission in 2nd year (m2) (corresponding to the third cycle former to the " LMD") leading to the national diploma of master, is pronounced by the chief of establishment on a proposal from the person in charge of the formation.

The fourth and last six-month period are often the occasion of an in-company training or in research laboratory, giving place to the drafting of a report.

The diploma, being able to comprise a mention with the merit, confers the rank of master.

Before the LMD

The control was delivered in one year after the license. The students then directed either towards a DEA (diploma of in-depth studies, research) or towards a OF the (diploma of specialized higher learning, professional).

Remarks

Orthography

The orthography “mastaire” was replaced by “master” by the decree n° 2002-480 of April 8th, 2002; the Council of State, ruling on the recourse of the association Future of French language, judged that “ the constitutional provisions and legislative do not prohibit the government from introducing into the French language new words, borrowed in particular from foreign Langue S, to indicate new institutions or concepts ” (June 11th, 2003, n°246971).

Similarity of names

It is to be noticed, in spite of the similarity of names, that the master is distinct from the Mastère specialized and the MSc accredited by the Conférence of the universities, as well as Magistère.

There currently does not exist of name to indicate graduated, as it is the case for the three other ranks: graduate, bachelor and doctor for the baccalaureat, the license and the doctorate. However the master term is often used in the official texts in the form " diploma of master" or " rank of master" , that one can put in parallel with the " terms; diploma of docteur" " rank of docteur" , letting think that the master term should indicate more the name of graduated that the name of the rank him even. This is consolidated by the fact that the English term " master" mean in French " maître". In Belgium and Switzerland, the control corresponds at the level of the French master, consequently graduated could logically be called " maîtres". The old French control being a diploma of level Vat +4, it can have confusion there. Resolution of L ''' French Academy '' on the use of the term ''' Mastère ''' ''' Master ''' or ''' Mastaire '''

Notes and references of the article

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