3410 Women's Studies

Programs Offered:

  1. Master of Arts in Women's Studies
  2. Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies

Women's Studies Institute
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3969
Atlanta, GA 30302-3969
Tel: 404/413-6587
Fax: 404/413-6585
E-mail: wsi@gsu.edu
www.gsu.edu/womensstudies

Susan Talburt, Director
Amira Jarmakani, Director of Graduate Studies

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree program in Women's Studies proceeds from feminist and womanist perspectives that examine the intersections of gender with race, class, nationality, ethnicity, sexuality, and gender identity. This interdisciplinary, globally focused program interrogates social structures, institutions, and ideologies, as well as their influence on academic disciplines. Students are prepared to enter doctoral programs in women's studies or related disciplines, in the social sciences or humanities and professions such as law and social work. The M.A. degree in Women's Studies can also enhance a career in government, nonprofit organizations, or business, or can serve as a background for work for social change in other arenas. More information is available at www.gsu.edu/womensstudies.

Applicants may obtain additional information about the Women's Studies Institute by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies at the addresses above.

Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Women's Studies Institute has the following requirements:

  1. Three letters of recommendation addressing the ability of the student to undertake graduate study.
  2. A statement of educational and/or career goals.
  3. A writing sample of up to 30 pages in length.
  4. Students seeking a M.A. degree are admitted to the program once a year (to begin in fall semester). Applicants seeking graduate assistantships must submit all application materials to the Office of Graduate Services of the College of Arts and Sciences by February 15 to be considered for the first decision-making process. Later applications may be considered, depending upon availability of funds.

Degree Requirements

Master of Arts (36 hours)
  1. Thirty hours of graduate coursework, 15 hours of which are required (WSt 8001, WSt 8002, WSt 8003, WSt 8004, and WSt 8005) and 15 hours of WSI courses, courses with a WSt prefix crosslisted with other departments, or approved courses in other departments. Students must receive a B minus or above in all core and elective WSt courses, a C or above in all other courses that count toward the degree, and maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.
  2. A written comprehensive examination,
  3. A minimum of six hours of Thesis Research (WSt 8999)
  4. A thesis, approved by the student's thesis committee.

Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies

Requirements:

A Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies is available to eligible graduate students who successfully complete five  graduate courses (15 credits) in Women's Studies. "Successful completion" means a grade of B or higher in each. Three  of these courses must be in the core classes (WSt 8001 – Feminist Theories, WSt 8002 – Globalization and Gender, WSt 8003 – New Directions in Feminism, WSt 8004 – Feminist Methodologies, or WSt 8005 - Promseminar. The other two courses must be in a WSt elective (drawn from courses bearing a WSt prefix), only one of which  can originate from the candidate’s home department.

Eligibility:

All students seeking the WSI Graduate Certificate must submit a formal application through the College of Arts and Sciences Office of Graduate Services. Applications are accepted three times per year: July 1 (for Fall semester), November 15 (for Spring semester), and May 1 (for Summer semester). The following individuals are eligible:

Students who are enrolled in an M.A. or Ph.D. program in another department or institute at Georgia State University—such students must apply, but existing materials on file can be used for the application and the application fee will be waived;

Students in the Women's Studies Institute M.A. degree program who are unable to complete the program and who have completed the requisite coursework—such students must submit a short application available from the Graduate Studies office;

Students who apply only for the Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies—such students must submit a complete application and pay the requisite fee.