MA in Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies

 

In the pioneering Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Master of Arts degree program, students create an individualized program of study that combines course work with opportunities for practical experience at top agencies and organizations in the nation's capital. Graduates gain the professional skills needed to become competitive participants in the realm of public policy, nonprofit leadership, business, law and more.

Students are expected to develop intellectual depth and a degree of expertise through a four-course concentration in either a specific discipline or a topical area. Examples of specific disciplines include anthropology, sociology, English, history and philosophy, among others. Examples of topical areas include women and health, international development, race and gender and LGBT sexuality.

Two students among a larger group seated and talking

 

 

 

Kavita Daiya speaking to a graduate student

Graduate Study Guide

Learn more about deadlines and tuition, scholarships and theses and exam guidelines.

Chitra Panjabi MA '10

Chitra Panjabi

MA '10

"My graduate degree was critical in further developing a feminist lens and approach. ... I now have a deeper understanding of my work advocating for social justice."

Thesis versus Practicum

As part of the master’s program, each student chooses to write a thesis or complete one of the practicum options. Although it is possible to complete both a thesis and a practicum, most students choose one or the other.

 

Course Requirements

Completion of WGSS 2120 and WGSS 2125 (or equivalent), or permission from the instructor, is a prerequisite for all graduate-level WGSS courses. WGSS majors are exempt from this prerequisite. It is highly recommended that one course in the chosen discipline/field be a graduate research methods course. Students may take more than four courses in their discipline/field of choice.

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 36 credits, including 15 credits in required courses and 21 credits in elective courses. Successful completion of a comprehensive examination is also required.

Required
WGSS 6220Fundamentals of Feminist Theory
WGSS 6221Research Issues in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
WGSS 6225Contemporary Feminist Theory
6 credits from one of the following options:
WGSS 6283Practicum in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
or
WGSS 6283
& WGSS 6295		Practicum in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
and Independent Research in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
or
WGSS 6998
& WGSS 6999		Thesis Research
and Thesis Research (taken for 3 credits each)
Electives
With the advisor’s approval, students develop a four-course (12 credit) concentration. In addition, they take three elective courses (9 credits) that may or may not be related to their chosen concentration.
All candidates are required to pass a Master's Comprehensive Examination

*Another course may be substituted with the advisor’s approval.