Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences

About Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences

The Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences (Faculté des lettres et sciences humaines) is an academic division of the University of Sherbrooke (Université de Sherbrooke). Situated in the city of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, the faculty operates primarily on the university's Main Campus (Campus principal). Established alongside the founding of the University of Sherbrooke in 1954, the faculty provides higher education and conducts research across a wide range of disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, languages, and communications. As part of a public university in Quebec, its academic programs are recognized and regulated by the Ministry of Higher Education of Quebec.

The faculty is structured into several academic departments and schools that offer undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs. Key departments include History, Philosophy, Literature, Applied Linguistics, Psychology, Social Work, Communications, and Information and Professional Writing. Students can pursue Bachelor of Arts degrees in areas such as French studies, English studies, history, and psychology, as well as specialized professional undergraduate degrees in social work and translation. Graduate offerings include Master of Arts degrees, master's-level professional diplomas, and Ph.D. programs designed to prepare students for academic careers, clinical practice, or professional leadership roles in public and private sectors.

Academic programs at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences are noted for integrating practical, real-world experience into liberal arts and humanities curricula. A significant feature of the university's pedagogical model is the cooperative education system (co-op), which allows students in various humanities and social science majors to alternate academic study semesters with paid professional internships. This cooperative learning structure applies to disciplines such as translation, professional writing, and applied communications, helping students gain direct experience in industry, government, and non-profit organizations before graduation.

The faculty's research infrastructure includes multiple research centers, chairs, and specialized laboratories dedicated to studying human behavior, societal development, culture, and communication. Major research areas include practical ethics, historical studies, discourse analysis, social intervention, clinical psychology, and digital humanities. Faculty members collaborate on interdisciplinary projects with regional, national, and international institutions, contributing scholarly publications in both French and English. The faculty also houses specialized equipment and facilities for behavioral observation, audio-visual production, and linguistic data analysis.

Students enrolled in the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences have access to comprehensive campus facilities at the University of Sherbrooke's Main Campus. These facilities include the Humanities and Social Sciences Library, which provides extensive physical and digital collections, quiet study zones, and specialized databases. Students also utilize modern computer laboratories, multimedia production suites, specialized translation software, and clinical training rooms designed for social work and psychology practice simulations. Additional university amenities, such as student housing, sports centers, dining services, and career counseling centers, support the daily academic and personal development of the student body.

The Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences serves a diverse student population drawn from Quebec, other Canadian provinces, and international French-speaking regions. Language instruction and academic coursework are primarily conducted in French, reflecting the linguistic context of Quebec, though specific programs in English studies and modern languages are delivered in English or other target languages. Through international exchange agreements and mobility programs, the faculty maintains academic partnerships with universities across Europe, the Americas, and Africa, allowing students to complete part of their studies abroad while hosting visiting scholars and international students in Sherbrooke.