Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Obtaining your Certificate in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Completion of graduate certificates is similar to the completion of graduate degrees (Masters and Doctoral degrees), but there are a few differences.

As with graduate degrees, graduate certificate students must complete the work on their Plan of Study, comply with Academic Regulations, and submit an Application for Graduation at the beginning of the semester they will complete their requirements.

Plan of Study

The plan of study is necessary to certify that you have fulfilled the requirements of the certificate. Submit your initial Plan of Study to the WGSS Director of Graduate Studies at the beginning of your certificate program and keep it updated by adding only courses that fulfill requirements for the certificate. We highly recommend that you take the two required theory courses the first two semesters of your WGSS certificate study. When you apply for graduation, make an appointment to meet with the DGS to assure all certificate requirements have been completed and to finalize your plan of study. The DGS and Program Director approve the final Plan of Study and submit it to the Graduate School.

Academic Regulations

All students are responsible for knowing the academic regulations and deadlines that apply to them, so make sure you know what they are! The most crucial regulations that affect graduate certificate students pertain to maintaining a minimum GPA (3.0) and completing your work within five years.

Application for Graduation

Apply to graduate through UNCGenie, by mail, fax, or in person at the Graduate School in the Mossman Building. You will receive additional information early in the Fall semester, but the deadline is typically the end of the first week of classes the semester you expect to fulfill your requirements. WGS students in the Certificate program may apply to graduate in the Fall term or the Spring term (December or May).

WGSS certificate students who are also enrolled in a graduate degree program (Masters or Doctorate) may apply to graduate for the certificate at the same time as the degree or whenever the certificate is completed, as long as the duration of the certificate does not exceed five years.

Unlike graduate degree programs, graduate certificate programs do not require a fee to apply for graduation, and graduates of certificate programs are not invited to participate in the university commencement ceremony.

However, students who complete their Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies ARE INVITED to participate in our graduation convocation in early May. There is no convocation for December graduates, but they are welcome to participate in the May event.

For additional information, contact the WGSS Director of Graduate Studies.