Graduate Certificate in Women and Gender Studies

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Fall: April 15

Spring: November 01

All applicants are strongly advised to submit applications and all supporting documentation by the programs' posted deadline dates. Applicants with international academic credentials should apply 30 days before the program deadline date.

Application Requirements »

Contact Information

Director

Suzanne Scott

Contact

Angela Jean Hattery
240K Johnson Center
703-993-2897

Program Email

wmst@gmu.edu

Website

Women and Gender Studies

Learn More

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Graduate Certificate as a Stand-Alone Program

Applicants should fill out the online Application for Graduate Studies and include the following supporting application requirements: college transcript, letters of recommendation (2), goals statement, résumé or curriculum vitae

Graduate Certificate in Addition to a Degree Program

Students already enrolled in a Mason graduate degree program should submit a Secondary Program Application along with a copy of their primary program application file, and a goals statement detailing their interest in Women and Gender Studies. All other requirements are waived.

Secondary Program Application: http://chss.gmu.edu/graduate/forms

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Core courses: WMST 630 Feminist Theory; WMST 640 Women and Global Issues
Three elective courses (9 credits) from anywhere in the curriculum related to the study of women and gender

Please note that writing a course research paper that engages gender analysis may count towards completing these credits.

Capstone Portfolio, WMST 699

Students synthesize their work in the certificate program by reflecting on how issues, ideas, and theories raised in the core courses inform their understanding of gender issues within their area of interest. The portfolio includes three to five items produced in previous course work and a 7-10 page essay discussing them. Items selected may include course papers, performance videos, photos of exhibits, tapes of music, or other items as agreed on by the student and advisor. The portfolio must be approved by the advisor and submitted to the Women and Gender Studies program where it will be presented, displayed, and archived. Students must have completed their course work for Women and Gender Studies certificate, or be in the last semester of their course work to complete this requirement.
Register for the Capstone Portfolio with an Individualized Section form. The Graduate Director should be listed as the Instructor. The form will need the signature of the Women and Gender Studies Program Chair.

http://registrar.gmu.edu/forms/index.html

For more information contact the Graduate Director

Yevette Richards Jordan at yjordan@gmu.edu or call 703.993.2896

Website: wmst.gmu.edu

Why Mason?

The 15-credit graduate certificate in women and gender studies enables students interested in an academic career to enrich their research and analytical skills. Students interested in a professional career are prepared to address gender-related challenges in both domestic and global settings. The certificate adds an area of specialization to any graduate degree, giving students a competitive edge in the world of work.

The certificate may be taken alone or in conjunction with another graduate program. Courses applied to the certificate may also be applied to a degree program, subject to approval of the graduate director of the respective program.

The graduate certificate in women and gender studies may be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis.

Transfer Credit

In accordance with university policy, students may transfer up to 3 graduate credits earned at another accredited institution to the certificate program with the approval of the director of the program and the dean. They may transfer up to 9 graduate credits earned at Mason in nondegree status toward the certificate, subject to approval of the director and the dean.

Degree Requirements (Catalog Year 2013-2014)

In addition to meeting the following requirements for this certificate, students must meet the university requirements for all graduate certificates.

Two required courses (6 credits)

WMST 630 - Feminist Theories across the Disciplines Credits: 3
WMST 640 - Women and Global Issues Credits: 3

Three electives (9 credits) chosen from relevant courses with approval of the director

These credits may be from departments across the university that address the study of women and gender, courses in the Women and Gender Studies Program, and appropriate directed readings or independent study courses.

Capstone portfolio

Students synthesize their work in the certificate program by reflecting on how issues, ideas, and theories raised in the core courses inform their understanding of gender issues within their area of interest. The portfolio includes three to five items produced in previous course work and a 7- to 10-page essay discussing them. Items selected may include course papers, performance videos, photos of exhibits, tapes of music, or other items as agreed on by the student and advisor. The portfolio must be approved by the advisor and submitted to the Women and Gender Studies where it will be presented, displayed, and archived.

Total: 15 Credits

Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.