GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Washington University offers a Graduate Certificate in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies for students in MA/PhD programs throughout the university who wish to enhance their disciplinary studies with a concentration in gender studies.

The Graduate Certificate in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies requires the completion of five courses, at least two of which must be drawn from 400-level or above home-based Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies courses. The additional three required courses may be drawn from a 400-level or above home-based or cross-listed Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies course or from other appropriate gender-based courses. Since a certificate requires three courses beyond those required for a student's home degree, participation in the certificate normally would require an extra semester of graduate work, which is financed by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Those not interested in a certificate, but wanting to concentrate on gender within their disciplines to enhance their credentials and enrich their training may do so by pursuing a graduate minor according to the policies of their individual departments. Other students might participate in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies courses without commitment to a concentration.  Courses at the graduate level include, but are not limited to, the following:

L77 403
Race, Sex, and Sexuality:  Concepts of Identity 

L77 4112
Body and Flesh:  Theorizing Embodiment

L77 418C
Gender & Sexuality in East Asian Religions

L77 419
Feminist Literary Theory

L77 420
Contemporary Feminisms

L77 4363
Sex, Gender and Power

L77 437
Global Feminisms

L77 475
Intellectual History of Feminisms

How to Apply for a Graduate Certificate in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Graduate students interested in the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Graduate Certificate should first apply for admission to the Washington University department in which they wish to obtain an advanced degree. After being admitted, each student should notify his/her department advisor and the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program director of plans to obtain the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Certificate. In addition, students should submit an "Application for Admission to Certificate Program" form to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences office, with a copy to the Women and Gender Studies office. The earlier we know who you are, the earlier we can include you in mailings about Program activities, lectures, conferences, and other events.  Certificate application forms are available in the Graduate School office.

Opportunities within the Graduate Certificate Program

The Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies program offers graduate certificate students the means of meeting and working with graduate students in other departments.  Graduate certificate students are on the program's mailing lists and are invited to participate in a variety of events, including special guest lectures, conferences, faculty searches, and informal gatherings.  In the 2007-08 academic year, the program is initiating:

A regular graduate colloquium in which graduate students may share their work with others interested in feminist and gender-oriented scholarship

Joint Teaching Assistantships with a variety of departments to observe and then design sections of introductory courses in the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies program.  Students chosen to participate in this program do so under the guidance of a selected faculty member in their own department and of faculty mentors in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Students must be close to ABD status to participate and must be recommended by the graduate director in their own departments and approved by the Director and Associate Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies.  Participation in this program broadens students' teaching experiences and credentials for future job opportunities. The following departments are involved in this program:

Anthropology
Art History
Asian and Near Eastern Languages and Literatures
Education
English
German
History
Philosophy
Political Science
Romance Languages and Literatures

Advantages of a Graduate Certificate in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Our Graduate Certificate Students have found a number of opportunities open as a result of earning the Graduate Certificate in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies.   This has particularly been the case in the academic employment market, because graduates have been equipped to offer both disciplinary and interdisciplinary scholarly and teaching expertise to hiring institutions.   Interacting with faculty in the program and participating in the joint Teaching Assistantship provide students with a rich repertoire of pedagogical skills and with experience working in a collegial and supportive academic unit, which they hope to emulate in their future working environments.

Current Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Graduate Certificate Students

Stephanie Bauer, Philosophy
Necia Chronister, Germanic Language and Literatures
Rebecca Cobb, Art History
Cailin Copan-Kelly, English and American Literatures
Tarah Demant, English
Paola Ehrmantraut, Hispanic Language and Literatures
Maria Forcadell, Hispanic Language and Literatures
Lee Frederich, Japanese Language and Literatures
Livia Hinegardner, Anthropology
Kathleen Korcheck, Hispanic Language and Literatures
Audrey Krause, Germanic Language and Literature
Mary LeGierse, Germanic Language and Literatures
Hyeon Jung Lee, Anthropology
Kate McCarthy, Hispanic Language and Literatures
Marilena Postolache, French Language and Literatures
Tamara Taylor, English
Nancy Twilley, Germanic Language and Literatures
Gail Wolfe, Education

For more information contact:

Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Campus Box 1078
Busch Hall, Room 225
Washington University
St Louis, MO 63130
Phone: 314-935-5102
Fax: 314-935-8678