Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, M.A.

Return to: Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies 

 Our M.A. program offers innovative, interdisciplinary approaches to the study of gender, sexuality, race, class, and nation. The Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies’ cutting edge academic program focuses on three crucial areas: globalization, sexuality, and social change. The interests of our core faculty members span the globe, including the African diaspora, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and North America, with an emphasis on issues related to globalization, sexualities, and culture, as well as local and transnational articulations of feminism. The M.A. prepares students for doctoral work in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and other disciplines, as well as careers in non-profit organizations, the social service sector, the political arena, and private enterprise. Some of our students pursue work in creative fields as artists, musicians, poets, journalists, or filmmakers.

To prepare for these career possibilities, WGSS provides three research options:

• Action Research Project: Examples include internships or community organizing accompanied by a theoretical essay.
• Creative Project: Examples include film-making, fiction writing, photography, or performing arts, accompanied by a theoretical essay.
• Thesis Research: Examples include empirical research and theoretical inquiry.

Applicants may obtain additional information about the Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the addresses above.

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies has the following requirements:

1. Three letters of recommendation addressing the ability of the student to undertake graduate study.
2. A statement of educational and/or career goals.
3. A writing sample of up to 30 pages in length.
4. Students seeking an M.A. degree are admitted to the program once a year (to begin in fall semester). Applicants seeking graduate assistantships must submit all application materials to the Office of Admissions-Graduate Programs by February 1 to be considered for the first decision-making process. Later applications may be considered. All applicants are considered for graduate assistantships.