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 concentration, 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 and may also serve 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.
