Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Graduate Studies

To celebrate the 10^th Anniversary of our Master’s degree in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, we’ve listed the top ten reasons you should consider graduate studies in WGSS at UNCG!

10. You’ll build on the legacy of one of the earliest Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies programs in the US;
9. You’ll study in the only Master’s program in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in North Carolina;
8. You’ll do challenging intellectual work in a supportive environment;
7. You’ll develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the ways that gender, race, culture, class, and sexuality function in society;
6. You’ll acquire an understanding of power in global and local contexts from historical, geopolitical, and ethical perspectives;
5. You’ll tailor your plan of study to suit your goals and interests;
4. You’ll engage a capstone project focused on social activism or scholarly research;
3. You’ll work with outstanding faculty in a community of feminist scholars;
2. You’ll prepare yourself for careers in non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, or teaching, or for further academic pursuits;

… and the number one reason you should consider the MA program in WGSS at UNCG is…

1.  Your new knowledge and understanding will transform your life! 

Graduate Studies

Building upon UNCG’s historical mission as the Women’s College of North Carolina, we established one of the earliest Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies programs in the country.  Our interdisciplinary Master of Arts degree is the only MA in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in the state of North Carolina.  (For information on our Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, see here.)

Our 36-credit hour MA program balances feminist theory with practice, preparing students for immediate entry into professions or further academic study.  MA Students enroll in 9 credit hours of theory and analysis and, in consultation with the Graduate Adviser, develop a plan of study tailored to their goals and interests (21 credit hours).  Each student selects either a thesis or an internship as a culminating experience (6 credit hours).  Full-time students can complete the program in two years.  Our MA graduates typically go on to advocacy, healthcare, education, or related professions in governmental or non-governmental agencies, or they enter PhD programs.

Courses offered by WGSS and other outstanding faculty across the university provide opportunities for students to engage in varied modes of inquiry on issues of local, national, and international importance. Coursework and independent study lead students to achieve the WGSS graduate programs’ learning objectives:

1. Demonstrate interdisciplinary understanding of the ways that gender, race, culture, class, and sexuality function in society.
2. Demonstrate understanding of power from historical, geopolitical, ethical, and psychological perspectives within global, national, and community contexts.
3. Develop an understanding of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies as an intellectual and activist, disciplinary and anti-disciplinary presence within the university, and within local, national, and international communities.
4. Develop varied modes of inquiry informed by the relationship between theory and practice, knowledge and action.

Students are admitted to the MA program in WGSS based on interest and academic achievement without regard to undergraduate major.  All applications must be submitted through the Graduate School’s online application system (Please see “Applying for the MA Program in WGSS,” or click on “Apply here,” below.)

Priority deadline (to be considered for funding): February 1. 

May 15 for Fall Admission,

October 1 for Spring Admission 

All application fees and supporting materials must be received by that time.

Questions? Contact the Director of Graduate Studies in WGSS