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Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Undergraduate Certificate
On this page:
- Why Choose Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies?
- Careers
- Real-World Experience
- Academics and Curriculum
- Admission
Why Choose Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies?
An undergraduate certificate in women, gender, and sexuality studies can be completed by non-degree students who wish to gain a professional credential for working with women and other marginalized groups and on diverse issues of gender and sexuality in various occupations. You will study feminist activism and theory related to women and other marginalized groups within a multicultural and global context, including experience and identity related to gender and sexuality. You will gain excellent written and oral communication skills, research skills, and strong critical thinking skills. You can go on to work in a variety of fields including psychology, health, education, nonprofits, and other organizations and businesses.
Careers
The Market Value of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
When speaking at Smith College in 1949, Eleanor Roosevelt predicted the needs of today’s global workforce: “How well prepared are we to live in a world that has constantly grown smaller and where we must rub shoulders with people of different cultures, of completely different customs and habits and religions, who live under different legal systems, whose languages are different?”
Women and other historically marginalized groups are now a significant part of today's workforce and a training in issues related to women, gender, and sexuality increases your marketability and range of career opportunities. More employers are recognizing the benefits, and often the necessity, of hiring employees with knowledge of and sensitivity to the needs of a diverse workplace.
While many graduates work in related occupations and/or choose to obtain advanced degrees, others find opportunities in different directions. Many careers do not require a specific major, but rather a wide range of demonstrated skills and accomplishments. Graduates from WGSS programs have demonstrated high achievement in social intelligence, synthesizing information, critical and analytical thinking, problem-solving, effective verbal and written communication, knowledge of cross-cultural and international perspectives, organization, and collaborative teamwork – all transferable skills and strengths welcomed by today’s employers.
Good grades, internship opportunities, involvement in college activities and responsible work experience gained through the women, gender, and sexuality studies program will enhance your marketability in today’s competitive, global, and rapidly-changing job market.
What can I do with a Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies degree?
Women, gender, and sexuality studies emphasizes critical and creative thinking, communication skills, active problem solving and civic engagement, and prepares students to work from multiple perspectives and with respect to different cultures, identities, and experiences.
As documented in national studies, flexibility, innovation, and integrated knowledge of diverse peoples and practices are skills valued by employers, while many graduates can expect to work in a variety of professions over the course of their lives. A degree in women, gender, and sexuality studies increases your ability to enter an array of graduate and professional programs as well as a broad range of careers in such areas as teaching, public policy, law, business, research, journalism, communications, social and health services, and nonprofit organizations at local, national, and international levels.
Real-World Experience
If you are in the women, gender, and sexuality studies program, gain practical experience through coursework that can include practicum, activism, and capstone components (not all are required).
- Your practicum includes mentoring younger students by leading small group discussions, demonstrating skills, and presenting research.
- The activism component includes important community engagement projects—for instance, the creation of a documentary film on the development of visibility and awareness for historically underrepresented groups at Wright State or organizing a panel discussion about human trafficking.
- The senior capstone, available to majors and minors, places you within local organizations and businesses involved in feminist or social justice work. You will help develop a project that can include elements of advocacy, service, education, or social justice activism.
Academics and Curriculum
A minimum grade of “C” is required for each course counted toward the certificate. Electives must be at least 3000-level and from two different disciplines; see approved course list for available options or confirm with the program director.
View Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Undergraduate Certificate program information and requirements in the Academic Catalog.
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Undergraduate Certificate Checksheet (PDF)
Admission
To be admitted, students must have a 2.0 minimum GPA.
