The interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in women's and gender studies
provides advanced and systematic course work investigating gender in
society and culture in historical and contemporary contexts from
multicultural and multiracial perspectives. The graduate course
offerings are designed to explore the intricate connections between
feminist theory and practice, to illuminate the centrality of the
intersection of gender identities with other socially and culturally
produced identities, and to investigate women`s issues and gender
issues in a global context. The program includes 18 hours of core
courses and 21 hours of course work within three areas of concen-
tration, in addition to the successful completion of qualifying
examinations and a doctoral dissertation.
The M.A. program is
a liberal arts degree providing students with an opportunity to pursue
advanced interdisciplinary work in women's and gender studies, enabling
them to become active practitioners in this rapidly expanding field of
study. The program is structured as a "terminal" master's degree,
but does offer preparation for more advanced work at the doctoral level
and serves as a supplement for professional degrees in fields such as
law, social work, public health, labor studies, public policy, or
clinical psychology. With an increasing emphasis on careers
focusing on the delivery of services to women and a rethinking of the
needs of women and families worldwide, women's and gender studies helps
to fill a growing demand for experts versed in women and gender issues.
The M.A. program is designed to emphasize global and
multicultural perspectives on these matters.