Program Overview

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Doctor of Philosophy in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

The Doctor of Philosophy in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies is an interdisciplinary program that examines inequalities resulting from gender, race, sexual orientation, and class. The program aims to translate research into meaningful knowledge that contributes to the betterment of communities.

Overview

The program is built on the dual goals of examining inequalities and translating research into tangible knowledge. The interdisciplinary faculty members are engaged in research that examines cutting-edge issues, such as discrimination, violence, human trafficking, health and inequality, and migration.

Why Study Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies?

The program provides students with awareness of the issues facing people of all genders, knowledge of many different academic fields, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, strong writing and researching abilities, and a solid base on which to enter the workforce, pursue further education, and have an impact in the world.

Admission Requirements

• All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
• Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required.

Application Materials

• Copy of official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
• Resume or CV
• Statement of purpose (no longer than two pages, single spaced)
• Writing sample (no longer than 30 pages)
• Three letters of recommendation

Degree Requirements

The program requires completion of core and elective courses. All course work should be selected in consultation with a faculty advisor.

• WGSS 800: History of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (3 hours)
• WGSS 801: Feminist Theory (or an alternate WGSS theory course with permission of the director of graduate studies) (3 hours)
• WGSS 802: Feminist Methodologies (3 hours)
• WGSS 803: Feminist Pedagogy (1.5 hours)
• WGSS 804: Professionalization Seminar in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (1.5 hours)
• 15 hours of WGSS electives selected in consultation with faculty advisor
• Outside Theory Course (3 hours)
• Outside Methods Course (3 hours)
• 4 Outside Electives (12 hours)
• Total Hours: 45

Suggested Departments for Outside Course Work

WGSS Graduate Students often take course work in departments including:

• African and African-American Studies
• American Studies
• Anthropology
• Classics (Greek and Roman Studies)
• Communication Studies
• English
• Film and Media Studies
• History
• History of Art
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Theatre
• Indigenous Studies
• Museum Studies

Research Skills and Responsible Scholarship

The University requires that every doctoral student receive training in responsible scholarship pertinent to the field of research and obtain research skills pertinent to the doctoral level of research in their field(s). These requirements must be completed by the end of the semester that the student takes the oral comprehensive exam.

Written Qualifying Exam

Students will take a qualifying exam after completing (or enrolling in enough hours to complete) 30 credit hours of course work, typically in their 4th semester of the program. This exam covers material in WGSS history, theory, and methods.

Comprehensive Oral Exam

Oral presentation and defense of a portfolio to a faculty committee. The portfolio consists of all major written work (exams, papers, syllabi), 3 annotated bibliographies, and a dissertation prospectus.

Post Comprehensive Exam Requirements

Upon passing the comprehensive examination, the student becomes a candidate for the Ph.D. degree and is approved to proceed with their dissertation research and project.

Dissertation Defense

The dissertation must be an original work of research that advances the field and complies with the Office of Graduate Studies’ Doctoral Dissertation policy. Upon approval by the student’s committee that the student’s dissertation research and written document is complete, the student must defend the dissertation before all committee members in the “final oral examination,” or dissertation defense.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Display Knowledge of the Field
• Display Subject Area Expertise
• Display Written and Oral Communication
• Display Social Responsibility
• Display Research Design

Additional Information

Additional information about the Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies doctoral program is located in the department's graduate student handbook.