Women's and Gender Studies, M.A.
Saint Louis University's Master of Arts in women’s and gender studies provides an interdisciplinary education about contemporary social justice issues, preparing students for leadership and advocacy roles in community or academic settings.
While gender is the primary focus, each course and the discipline as a whole examine gender in light of race, ethnicity, class, sexual identity, ability, age and religion. The discipline teaches students to think critically and to engage in the world as responsible citizens.
Curriculum Overview
SLU's master’s degree in women’s and gender studies requires 30 credits. Students will take five core courses covering feminist theories, feminist epistemologies, research design, current issues and debates, and a graduate-level internship.
Students can then choose five elective courses from dozens of choices in women's and gender studies; political science; African American studies; philosophy; English; history; languages, literatures and cultures; fine and performing arts; social work; and law, among others.
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
Students are required to complete at least one graduate-level internship under the supervision of a faculty member. There may also be opportunities for students to collaborate with faculty members on their research, depending on students’ and faculty members’ research interests.
Careers
The SLU M.A. in women’s and gender studies prepares students for:
- Careers in community organizing, nonprofit organizations, government service, health care, business, the arts and policy research.
- Doctoral work in women’s and gender studies and related fields.
- Professional schools, including public health, law, social work and public policy.
Admission Requirements
A GPA of 3.30 or above is preferred. The M.A. program is interdisciplinary and welcomes applicants from all academic fields.
Application Requirements
- Application form and fee
- Transcript(s)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Résumé
- Statement of purpose
- Writing sample (preferably related to women’s and gender studies)
Requirements for International Students
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Financial documents are required to complete an application for admission and be reviewed for admission and merit scholarships.
- Proof of financial support that must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
- Courses taken and/or lectures attended
- Practical laboratory work
- The maximum and minimum grades attainable
- The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
- Any honors or degrees received.
WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid
For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award.
For more information, visit https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
- Graduates will be able to assess relevant literature or scholarly contributions in women's and gender studies.
- Graduates will be able to apply the major practices, theories or research methodologies in women's and gender studies.
- Graduates will be able to use feminist perspectives to examine problems in transnational, national and local contexts.
- Graduates will be able to articulate arguments or explanations to both a disciplinary or professional audience and to a general audience, in both oral and written forms.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate scholarly and/or professional integrity in women's and gender studies.
- Graduates will be able to discuss the diversity of women's experiences and their roots in the intersection of social locations like gender, race and class.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| WGST 5010 | Feminist Theories | 3 |
| WGST 5020 | Feminist Epistemologies | 3 |
| WGST 5030 | Feminist Research Design | 3 |
| or WGST 5050 | Program Evaluation | |
| WGST 5040 | Current Feminist Issues | 3 |
| WGST 5910 | Graduate Internship | 3 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select five graduate courses with either a WGST number, cross-listing or attribute, such as: | 15 | |
| Gender and American Politics | ||
| Women and Global Issues | ||
| Dismantling Oppression: Exploring Equity & Inclusion | ||
| Citizenship and Social Difference | ||
| Middle English Literature | ||
| Romanticism | ||
| 19th Century English Literature | ||
| 20th Century Postcolonial Literature | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Feminist Approaches: Not for Women Only | ||
| Employment Discrimination | ||
| Family Law | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Non-Course Requirements
A capstone project and presentation based on either an internship or research developed through coursework is also required.
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Participation in First Year Grad Student Orientation and Department Events (e.g., speakers, brown bag seminars) | ||
| Elective 1 | 3 | |
| WGST 5010 | Feminist Theories | 3 |
| Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in Department Events (e.g., speakers, brown bag seminars) | ||
| WGST 5020 | Feminist Epistemologies | 3 |
| WGST 5030 or WGST 5050 |
Feminist Research Design or Program Evaluation |
3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in Department Events (e.g., speakers, brown bag seminars) | ||
| WGST 5910 | Graduate Internship | 3 |
| Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Completion of Capstone Project and Oral Defense | ||
| WGST 5040 | Current Feminist Issues | 3 |
| Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
A minimum of 9 credits of electives must be courses that are cross-listed with WGS. If a graduate class is not already cross-listed as a women’s and gender studies course, it is possible to request permission for it to count towards the elective requirement.