Graduate Certificate in Women's and Gender Studies

Dr. Vicky M. MacLean, Director
James Union Building 308
(615) 898-5931

Graduate Certificate in Women's and Gender Studies

The Women's and Gender Studies Certificate program is designed to provide students with specialized knowledge and training in the field of Women's and Gender Studies. Students will have an opportunity to acquire advanced training and expertise in feminist theory, feminist methodology, and in fundamental issues in the field, such as issues of gender inequality, difference, and the intersection of gender and other forms of social identity and positioning. These include race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, age, ability, religion, and nationality.

The program will expose students to new ways of thinking about women and gender that interrogate and expand the processes by which knowledge about human beings is acquired, interpreted, and transmitted. Students will have the opportunity to research these new ways of thinking and to apply the knowledge acquired to their personal and professional life.

The program is committed to using global feminist perspectives, integrating theory and practice, and producing scholar-activists.

Total minimum required hours: 18

Core Requirements (9 credit hours):

WGST 6000 Feminist Theory (3 hours)
WGST 6010 Feminist Methods (3 hours)
WGST 6020 Internship (3 hours) OR
WGST 6021 Directed Reading and Research (3 hours)
WGST 6030 Global Perspectives on Gender and Sexualities (3 hours)

Electives (9 credit hours):

Nine hours of electives (minimum of 3 hours at the 6000 level) from at least two different departments (such as English, History, Psychology, and Sociology/Anthropology) that offer approved electives. Criteria for approved electives: 1) 5/6/7000 level course that meets the WGST criteria for course selection; 2) approved by WGST curriculum committee; 3) taught by a graduate faculty member; and 4)approved by graduate council.

ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM:

Applications must be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies. Include with the application a resume, letter of interest, and two letters of reference.

Each candidate for the WGST Graduate Certificate program must have a baccalaureate degree, an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75, and approval by the dean of Graduate Studies and the director of the WGST program.

Each candidate should
1) have completed a Women's Studies or Gender Studies course; or
2) provide evidence of relevant equivalent course or professional experience.

Up to six credit hours of approved graduate coursework from a student's discipline may be counted toward the program.