The Center for Gender in Global Context administers three undergraduate programs and two affiliated Education Abroad programs.
The Center for Gender in Global Context administers three undergraduate programs and two affiliated Education Abroad programs.
The WGS Major is a Bachelor's of Arts (BA) degree, administered through the Center for Gender in Global Context (GenCen) and offered through the College of Arts & Letters (CAL). This degree is ideal for students who wish to study gender and its intersections with aspects within other fields of interest, and is also an excellent choice as a second major for anyone wishing to double-major. The major provides up-to-date knowledge about women and gender in comparative, transnational, historical, and global perspectives and equips students with the knowledge, theories, and methods relevant to a variety of careers and professions. This major emphasizes the intersections of gender with other social identities such as race, ability, and sexual orientation.
Past graduates of the WGS major have gone on to medical school focusing on women's health, law school, and top ranked graduate programs across fields. The program's focus on experiential and applied learning through opportunities like Women's and Gender Studies internships makes graduates of the major strong candidates for nonprofit, social service, and political or governmental jobs directly after graduation. Contact the GenCen Advisor to learn more.
Program Requirements
In addition to MSU and CAL graduation requirements, the WGS major requires at least 33 credits in:
View requirements for this degree.
The Women's and Gender Studies major is designed to be highly flexible and fit into a four-year degree plan. A three-year degree plan is also possible with the inclusion of transfer credit or summer courses (e.g., education abroad). The WGS major allows courses to overlap with other majors with approval of program advisors, and as a result many students earn a double major in three to four years.
MSU programs and activities are not restricted based on race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected identity. This opportunity is open to all qualifying applicants without preference based on protected identity, and all are welcome to apply.
The WGS minor is available to students enrolled in degree programs other than those enrolled in the Women's and Gender Studies Major, and is offered through the College of Arts & Letters and administered by GenCen. This interdisciplinary minor provides students with in-depth opportunities to study the intersections of gender with other aspects of identity within their fields of interest, and is an excellent choice for anyone who wishes to study topics related to women and gender.
GenCen is currently accepting applications for the WGS minor. If you are interested in adding this minor to your degree program, please complete our WGS Minor Application. If you have any questions, please contact the GenCen Advisor, Pat Arnold.
Program Requirements
This minor requires enrollment in core courses WS 201 and WS 202, and nine credits in elective courses from one of four thematic areas (Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and History; Sexuality and Conflict/Violence; Gender and the Arts and Humanities; and Gender Applied: Health, Urban, and Public Policy). Students can pick from over 50 different electives across fields at MSU covering topics in gender, sexuality, and women's issues in health, law, politics, theater, and more.
With the approval of a student’s primary department, courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for other programs, including a student’s primary major or other minors in cases of overlap.
View the requirements and current electives for this minor.
MSU programs and activities are not restricted based on race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected identity. This opportunity is open to all qualifying applicants without preference based on protected identity, and all are welcome to apply.
The Minor in LGBTQ and Sexuality Studies is available to students enrolled in any Bachelor's degree program, and is offered through the College of Arts & Letters and administered by GenCen. It is designed to provide opportunities for undergraduate students to obtain a comprehensive, global, interdisciplinary academic experience in sexualities, gender identity and expression, and queer identities and activism. The minor complements a wide range of majors and is especially suited for students who plan to work with and advocate for issues of diversity, inclusion, and equity for LGBTQIA+ communities, as well as careers in healthcare, law, and nonprofits.
GenCen is currently accepting applications for the LGBTQ & Sexuality Studies minor. If you are interested in adding this minor to your degree program, please complete our LGBTQ & Sexuality Studies Minor Application. If you have any questions, please contact the GenCen Advisor, Pat Arnold.
Program Requirements
This minor requires enrollment in the core course WS 304 LGBTQ+ Studies, two courses from an additional list related to sexuality studies, as well as at least one elective course related to gender identity, and a final capstone experience chosen from either WS 424 or WS 492, an independent study, or a semester internship experience.
View the requirements and current electives for this minor.
MSU programs and activities are not restricted based on race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected identity. This opportunity is open to all qualifying applicants without preference based on protected identity, and all are welcome to apply.