About

In the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, you'll learn to think critically and communicate effectively in order to consider questions surrounding social justice and identity. Since its inception in 1973, our program has had a distinctive emphasis on health in underrepresented communities that has guided faculty research and our students’ learning experience.

Through faculty research, our program reconceptualizes knowledge, creates new knowledge and reinterprets existing knowledge through the lens of social justice.

Emerging from an activist tradition, the Department of Women's and Gender Studies serves university, local, state, national and global communities by acting as a resource and guide for issues related to women and gender.

Our teaching mission is to share this knowledge so that students learn to think critically, communicate effectively, solve problems and interpret human experience.

Choose Your Course of Study

Our undergraduate degree takes an interdisciplinary approach to exploring issues surrounding gender, race, class and identity. In addition to stimulating coursework, you'll engage with the community and collaborate with our diverse faculty.

Our graduate certificate is a great addition to any post-graduate degree or as a standalone program. The graduate certificate credential is widely recognized by hiring committees in academic and non-academic professions.

Join Our Community

As a student in our department, you'll interact with the scholar and activist communities both locally and nationally. You can also participate in outreach opportunities through the Women's Well-Being Initiative.

Interdisciplinary Faculty

Teaching diverse topics requires diverse minds. That's why our faculty have joint appointments in our department and their home departments. This helps build academic bridges and creates an interdisciplinary and creative community of scholars and teachers.

Lecture Series

There's a lot to explore when it comes to issues of gender, sexuality, race, class and identity. We host the annual Dr. Mary Baskin Waters Lecture to explore these topics in depth.

Student Spotlight

“My WGST courses were the most impactful during my college career. The program instills in each of its students a heart for service and social justice. The WGST experience allows students to tackle real-world challenges drawing upon concepts taught in the classroom. The knowledge I gained in the WGST program has encouraged me to pursue a career in higher education and student affairs.”