Certificate Women's Studies Certificate

Jennifer N. Fish, Ph.D., Graduate Certificate Director
jfish@odu.edu
Department of Women's and Gender Studies
3041 Batten Arts and Letters
(757) 683-3823

Women’s and Gender Studies is a multi- and interdisciplinary field of study that examines gender in historical and contemporary contexts with an emphasis on women's lives and perspectives. The department values the complex intersections of gender, race, class, sexuality, ability, nation, and other identities. We are committed to a social justice-based approach and seek to bridge academic and community work. 

Students who want to pursue only the Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies, must hold either a B.A. or B.S. degree with an overall GPA of 2.80 OR a graduate degree.

Those admitted to a graduate program have the option of earning a Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies in conjunction with a graduate degree from another department or college. Students must satisfy all admission requirements for their chosen graduate program before enrolling in the courses required for the Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies. Please consult the Director of the Women's Studies Graduate Certificate and the relevant sections of the Catalog for additional information.

Students pursuing the Certificate in combination with another graduate degree will be advised by both a Women’s and Gender Studies faculty member and an advisor from their graduate program.

The Certificate will be awarded upon completion of the required program of courses.

Curriculum Requirements

Students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the 15 credit hours required for the Certificate.

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Required Courses
WMST 560	Feminist and Queer Theory	3
WMST 570	Feminist Research Methods	3
Additional Courses */**		9
Total Credit Hours		15

*

Additional courses must be approved for the Women's Studies curriculum. In addition to Women's Studies (WMST-listed) courses, students may draw from various disciplines (e.g., Art History, English, History, Humanities, International Studies, Philosophy, Political Science & Geography, Sociology & Criminal Justice).  At least one of the courses must be at or above the 600 level.  With the exception of Women's Studies courses, students may not take more than six credit hours in any single field.

**

Students planning to teach Women's Studies courses at the post-secondary level in Virginia must complete an additional three credit hours, for a total of 18 credit hours, in order to meet accreditation requirements.