Graduate Certificate in Gender and Women's Studies
The GWS Certificate program has been suspended until further notice. WKU is no longer accepting graduate applications for this program.
The Graduate Certificate offers graduate students the opportunity to explore links between their chosen field of study and an interdisciplinary approach that addresses women’s experiences and contributions. All courses are offered online.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Analyze intersections of gender, race, class, and sexuality in feminist theory.
- Examine the impact of policies, programs, and discourses on women across the globe.
- Explain strategies for collective action as a vehicle for changing social structures, public policies, and ways of thinking.
- Produce written work investigating issues concerning women from cross-cultural and global perspectives.
REQUIREMENTS
- 15 hours,* as follows:
(*Note: for those seeking university-level accreditation, you should opt for the 18- or 21-hour certificate.)
CORE COURSES (6 HOURS)
| GWS 545 | Feminist Knowledge and Social Change |
| GWS 555 | Global & Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Women |
Students may take any of the electives listed below, with the following stipulation: only six hours may be taken in the student's primary discipline (excluding GWS courses). Students should check with the Gender & Women’s Studies Office for an updated list of electives.
ELECTIVES * (9 HOURS)
| CRIM 546 | Gender, Crime, and Justice |
| ENG 497G | Women’s Literature |
| ENG 579 | Studies in Victorian Literature |
| FLK 585 | Foodways |
| GWS 535 | Roots of Feminism |
| GWS 565 | Black Feminism and the Politics of Community |
| GWS 570 | American Masculinities |
| GWS 575 | Justice Gender and Sustainability |
| GWS 625 | Women in Leadership |
| GWS 630 | Feminist Pedagogies |
| HIST 446G | American Legal History |
| HIST 553 | Women & Gender in US History |
| HIST 555 | American Radicals |
| SRSC 515 | Utopias, Dystopias, & Intentional Communities |
| SRSC 525 | Place & the Problem of Healing |
| PH 564 | Public Health Issues in Women's Health |
| PSYS 453G | Psychology of Women |
| SOCL 535 | Family Violence |
* Note: Faculty and students may make recommendations to include other courses at any time. All new courses are reviewed by the Gender & Women’s Studies Curriculum Committee. Students should check with the Gender & Women’s Studies Office for an updated list of electives.
For more information about the cost of the program, average time to complete the program, and other important information, please visit this website.
Dr. Dawn Hall Advisor for GWS
How to apply:
Admission is based on prior academic performance in gender & women's studies or a related area of study (transcripts). Applicants must submit a personal statement of interest. No GRE or GMAT required. A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required to be admitted to The Graduate School.
In order to be admitted to this program, students must submit an online application and mail the following required documents to The Graduate School:
- official copies of your undergraduate transcripts
- statement of purpose
Mailing Address:
The Graduate School
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd. #11010
Bowling Green, Ky. 42101-1010
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.