UMass Boston

Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies BA

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Discover how gender shapes our experiences, institutions, and social realities.

Discover the academic frameworks behind empowerment and social change with the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies BA at UMass Boston. Explore the rich history, diverse experiences, and critical issues surrounding gender, sexuality, and women's rights, and develop a deep understanding of intersectionality, social justice, and feminist theory.

In this program, you will:

  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of the historical, social, cultural, and political factors that shape the experiences and perspectives of women, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills
  • Explore the complexities of gender, sexuality, race, class, and other intersecting identities, gaining a nuanced understanding of power dynamics, inequalities, and social justice issues
  • Cultivate effective communication, advocacy, and leadership skills, empowering you to engage in social activism, community organizing, and policy-making to advance gender equity and social change

Career Possibilities

Work with organizations or government agencies to promote inclusivity, gender equity, and diversity through policy development. Manage and coordinate programs and initiatives focused on women's empowerment in the nonprofit sector. Or, report on gender-related issues, women's rights movements, and social justice topics for media outlets, magazines, or online platforms. These are just a few of the possibilities.

Become a(n):

  • Gender and Diversity Consultant
  • Nonprofit Program Coordinator
  • Research Analyst
  • Human Rights Officer
  • Educator/ Professor
  • Journalist/ Writer

Plan Your Education

How to Apply

Apply for Admission

Please review the first-year and transfer apply pages for important information about application requirements, deadlines, and application status check.

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Deadlines & Cost

Early action deadline: November 1; Regular Decision Deadline: June 15

Financing Your Education

Become a Beacon and pursue your passion in UMass Boston’s diverse, supportive environment. Many students across our 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs receive financial aid—providing access to an education that’s exceptional and affordable. Click below to learn more about financial aid opportunities and deadlines.

Financial Aid Deadlines & Application Process 

Scholarships for First-Year & Transfer Students

For additional information regarding tuition and fees, please visit the Bursar’s Office or send an email to Bursar@umb.edu.

Curriculum

For detailed course descriptions, please visit the university catalog for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies BA.

Electives (30 Credits)

Complete 10 courses from the list below. At least one course must be taken from each of the six course groups below.

Introductory Courses

  • WGS 100 - Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexualities in the United States 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 110 - Gender in Global Context 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 150 - Women, Culture and Identity 3 Credit(s)

Multicultural Awareness Courses

  • WGS 110 - Gender in Global Context 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 225L - Latinas in the United States 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 268 - Global Bodies: Sex, Families, and Reproductive Rights in Transnational Perspective 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 270 - Native American Women in North America 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 295L - Introduction to Human Rights 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 300L - Women in African Cultures 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 345 - Gender, Religion and Politics in South Asia 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 355L - Gender, Development, & Globalization 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 357L - Women in South Asian Religions: Gender Ideology and Practice in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 359L - Women in Modern China 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 360 - Gender, Culture, and Power 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 376L - Women of Color 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 401 - Advanced Topics in Human Rights 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 411 - Transnational Feminisms: Contexts, Conflicts, and Solidarity 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 412L - Gender, Human Rights, and Global Cinema 3 Credit(s)
  • AFRSTY 230 - African-American Women’s History 3 Credit(s)
  • AMST 228L - Asian Women in the United States 3 Credit(s)
  • ASAMST 226 - Becoming South Asians 3 Credit(s)
  • CINE 412L - Gender, Human Rights, and Global Cinema 3 Credit(s)
  • ENGL 357 - African-American Women Writers 3 Credit(s)
  • PSYCH 403 - Gender, Culture, and Health 3 Credit(s)

Historical Perspectives Courses

  • WGS 257L - Queer Literature and History in the 20th Century US 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 290 - The Legal Rights of Women 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 317L - Women in Medieval and Early Modern Europe 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 325L - Sexual Identities in American Culture 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 345 - Gender, Religion and Politics in South Asia 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 359L - Women in Modern China 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 394L - Radical Voices of Resistance: Gender, Race and US Social Movements 3 Credit(s)
  • AFRSTY 230 - African-American Women’s History 3 Credit(s)
  • AMST 257L - Queer Literature and History in the 20th Century US 3 Credit(s)
  • HIST 346 - Women & Gender in African History 3 Credit(s)

Feminist Thought Courses

  • WGS 356L - Faiths & Feminisms: Women, Gender, Sexuality & Religion in the U.S. 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 360 - Gender, Culture, and Power 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 376L - Women of Color 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 347 - Feminisms, Intersectionality and Social Justice: Histories, Debates, Futures 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 411 - Transnational Feminisms: Contexts, Conflicts, and Solidarity 3 Credit(s)
  • PHIL 230 - Philosophy and Feminism 3 Credit(s)

Interdisciplinary Research Courses

  • WGS 311L - American Oral History 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 370 - Feminist Research Seminar 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 498 - Honors Research Tutorial 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 597 Special Topics in Women’s Studies/Graduate Consortium in Women’s Studies 3 Credits (see graduate catalog)

Internship/Field Experience Courses

  • WGS 490 - Internship in Women’s Studies 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 491 - Internship Placement 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 460 - Internship: Sociology in the City 6 Credit(s)

Graduation Criteria

Degree Requirements

If this is the student’s only or primary major, the degree requirements below must be completed for graduation. See graduation requirements for more information.

University Requirements
College of Liberal Arts Requirements for Bachelor of Arts

Major Requirements

Complete at least 30 credits from ten courses. 

Residency: At least six courses for the major must be taken through the Women’s and Gender Studies Department. At least five courses for the major must be completed at UMass Boston.
Course level: At least fifteen credits for the major must be at the 300-level or higher.
Course limits: No more than two independent study courses may be applied toward the major.

Related Minors

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor

Students who choose this minor will develop a deeper understanding of the ways in which gender shapes our experiences, institutions, and social realities.

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Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies

Learn more about UMass Boston's Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies department, our research, and our faculty.

Explore the Department of Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies
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