PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY · UNITED STATES
Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (Dual-Title)
Master's · Taught in en
At a glance
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Master's
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Pennsylvania State University offers dual-title Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS). These dual-title programs must be pursued alongside a graduate degree in one of the university's fourteen partner programs, including fields like Art Education, Communication Arts and Sciences, English, History, and Political Science. The WGSS program provides students with advanced training in conceptual, methodological, and pedagogical approaches within the field, emphasizing intersectional and transnational feminist perspectives. By integrating WGSS with a primary discipline, students gain the ability to produce interdisciplinary scholarship, teach across both fields, and prepare for diverse career paths. The program encourages research that spans the arts, humanities, and social sciences, equipping graduates to excel in academic and professional environments that value interdisciplinary expertise.
Curriculum
To earn a dual-title Master's degree in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, students must complete 12 credits of graduate coursework and a thesis or scholarly paper that significantly engages with WGSS. For the dual-title Ph.D., 18 credits of graduate coursework are required, along with a dissertation focused on Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. All WGSS degree requirements must be fulfilled in addition to those of the primary graduate program.
- Master's Degree
- Global FeminismsWMNST 502
- Feminist TheoryWMNST 507
- Feminist PedagogiesWMNST 509
- Feminist MethodologiesWMNST 508
- Additional Graduate Coursework
- Ph.D. Degree
- Global FeminismsWMNST 502
- Feminist TheoryWMNST 507
- Feminist MethodologiesWMNST 508
- Feminist PedagogiesWMNST 509
- Elective Graduate Coursework
Entry requirements
Junior/Senior Cumulative Average3.00 on a 4.00 scale
Previous CourseworkIn Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies or related fields is recommended for external applicants. Internal applicants must be current Penn State graduate students in a partner program.
Students must be admitted to one of Penn State's partner graduate degree programs to be eligible for the dual-title WGSS degree. External applicants should clearly articulate in their statement of purpose how their research integrates the partner discipline and WGSS. Internal applicants (current Penn State graduate students) must apply before taking qualifying exams, with deadlines on October 15th for fall and February 15th for spring.
Fees
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Tuition and fees are determined by the primary graduate program. Specific costs are not detailed on the program page.
How to apply
1. External ApplicationIndicate interest in the WGSS dual-title on the main online graduate application when applying to a partner department. After admission to the partner program, your application will be forwarded to the WGSS Graduate Studies Committee. Include a statement of purpose discussing interdisciplinary research integration and/or a separate statement and writing sample demonstrating work in feminist/gender theory. Applicants with limited prior WGSS coursework may be encouraged to take a core WGSS course before reapplying as an internal candidate.
2. Internal ApplicationCurrent Penn State graduate students in a partner program can apply for admission to the WGSS dual-title. This must be done before taking qualifying exams. Submit an unofficial Penn State graduate transcript, a statement of purpose focusing on interdisciplinary feminist research, and a letter of recommendation from a WGSS graduate faculty member. Internal applications are reviewed twice annually with deadlines of October 15th (fall) and February 15th (spring).