Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department

Women's Studies Degree Requirements

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Women's Studies Major

In addition to meeting the general University degree requirements, students majoring in Sexuality, Gender, and Queer Studies must complete three areas in the program for a total of 56 credits:

  • Core curriculum of seven courses (28 credits)
  • Experiential learning program (practicum) (8 credits)
  • Electives (20 credits)

Core Curriculum (28 credits)

  • WS 101 Introduction to Women's Studies (4 credits) OR UNST 231 Gender and Sexualities (4 credits)
  • WS 301 Gender and Critical Inquiry (pre-req: WS 101 OR UNST 231) (4 credits)
  • WS 305 Women of Color Feminisms (pre-req: WS 101 OR UNST 231) (4 credits)
  • WS 307 Women, Activism, and Social Change (pre-req: WS 101 OR UNST 231) (4 credits)
  • WS 315 Feminist Analysis (pre-req: WS 301) (4 credits)
  • WS 412/512 Feminist Theory & Methodology (pre-req: WS 315) (4 credits)
  • WS 415 Senior Seminar (pre-req: WS 412) (4 credits)

Experiential Learning (8 credits)

This part of the curriculum provides students with the opportunity to connect knowledge from the classroom to experience in community service activities. Students earn credits by working with community or campus organizations which serve women and/or focus on social justice issues.

  • WS 409 Practicum (6 credits)
  • WS 411 Experiential Learning Seminar (2 credits)

More information about the practicum, including forms and opportunities, can be found here.

Electives (20 credits)

Of these 20 credits, 16 must be from upper-division courses. All electives must be approved by an adviser for applicability to the major.

Women's Studies Minor

A minor in Women's Studies consists of 28 credits. Students will be required to take:

  • Core curriculum of three courses (12 credits)
  • Four elective courses (16 credits)

Core Curriculum (12 credits)

Students are required to take WS 101: Introduction to Women's Studies (4 credits) OR UNST 231 (4 credits), as well as two of the following courses:

  • WS 301 Gender and Critical Inquiry (pre-req: WS 101 OR UNST 231) (4 credits)
  • WS 305 Women of Color Feminisms (pre-req: WS 101 OR UNST 231) (4 credits)
  • WS 307 Women, Activism, and Social Change (pre-req: WS 101 OR UNST 231) (4 credits)
  • WS 315 Feminist Analysis (pre-req: WS 301) (4 credits)
  • WS 412/512 Feminist Theory & Methodology (pre-req: WS 315) (4 credits)

Electives (16 credits)

Additional credit may be fulfilled by either core courses (including WS 409, WS 411, WS 415) or WGSS electives.

Women's Studies Post-baccalaureate Certificate

Students receiving a post-baccalaureate certificate in Women's Studies must complete three areas in the program for a total of 40 credits:

  • Core curriculum of four courses (16 credits)
  • Experiential learning program (practicum) (8 credits)
  • Electives (16 credits)

Core Curriculum (16 credits)

  • WS 301 Gender and Critical Inquiry (4 credits)
  • WS 315 Feminist Analysis (4 credits)
  • WS 412 Feminist Theory & Methodology (4 credits)
  • WS 415 Senior Seminar (4 credits)

Experiential Learning (8 credits)

This part of the curriculum provides students with the opportunity to connect knowledge from the classroom to experience in community service activities. Students earn credits by working with community or campus organizations which serve women and/or focus on social justice issues.

  • WS 409 Practicum (6 credits)
  • WS 411 Experiential Learning Seminar (2 credits)

More information about the practicum, including forms and opportunities, can be found here.

Electives (16 credits)

In meeting the 16 elective credits requirement, students may take a maximum of 12 credits in any one academic area (arts and letters, science, social science) and four credits in lower-division courses.