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BA in Interdisciplinary with Emphasis in Women's and Gender Studies

Degree Program Description

Women’s and Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary field that establishes gender, sexuality, race, class, and dis/ability as fundamental categories for understanding social structures, cultural norms, and power dynamics. Combining research methods from the humanities and social sciences, the WGST major strengthens critical thinking, writing and research skills; highlights multiple forms of knowledge; and encourages students to think of themselves and others as citizens of a diverse world. WGST scholars produce a wide-variety of analytical, creative, and activist works, investigating intersecting forms of inequalities and oppression's in local and global contexts.

When students graduate with a emphasis in Women's and Gender Studies, they should be able to:

  • Apply cross-cultural and global awareness to "big questions" about gender
  • Have a comprehensive grasp of intersectionality and matrices of power
  • Think critically: i.e. consider an issue from multiple perspectives; locate, evaluate and interpret diverse sources; engage in critical self-reflection
  • Construct arguments with evidence obtained from research
  • Work collaboratively
  • Recognize sexist/racist writing and thinking
  • Connect knowledge and experience, theory and activism, Women's and Gender Studies materials with other courses
  • Communicate effectively in writing and speech
  • Apply knowledge for social transformation, citizenship
  • Use gender (and other identity categories) as a category or categories of analysis

This major can be combined with other programs to create a double major or a dual degree. The flexibility and expansiveness of the degree enables our graduates to work in a wide variety of fields, including education, law, public policy, health sciences, human resources, business management, social work, arts, non-profit organizations, NGO’s, advertising and market research, communication, and journalism.

Major Program Requirements

This major can be combined with other programs to create a double major or a dual degree. Within the College of Arts and Science, students can pair it with a major like BA in English, Sociology, Psychology or History, for example, without taking courses beyond the required 120 credits. Students seeking a Bachelor Degree in Journalism or a Public Health degree can earn a second degree, a BA in Interdisciplinary with Emphasis in Women’s and Gender Studies. Required WGST courses for many dual degrees also fit within the 120 credit graduation plan, although 132 total credits are generally required for a dual degree.

The curriculum includes Women's and Gender Studies core courses as well as cross-listed courses from several departments throughout the University. 

Thirty hours are required in Women’s and Gender Studies. In addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements, students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.

Required Core Courses9
WGST 2020Feminist Theory3
WGST 4990Research Seminar in Women's and Gender Studies3
WGST 3450WFeminist Methodologies - Writing Intensive3
4940 Internship can be substituted for 4990 Seminar
Additional courses21
An additional 21 credits (WGST or cross-listed courses) are required. A minimum of 12 credits must come from WGST core courses (courses taught by WGST faculty and instructors), in addition, 9 credits must be 3000 level or higher. See the WGST website for current course offerings.

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Semester Plan

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGLSH 10003Second Language5
Social Science (MO State Law)3WGST 20203
Second Language5MATH 1050, 1100, or STAT 12003
WGST Major Course3General Elective3
 14 14
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Science with a Lab5Minor3
Second Language3WGST Major Course3
Behavioral Science3Humanities/Fine Arts (Writing Intensive)3
Social Science3Behavioral Science3
WGST 3450W3Science3
 17 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
WGST Major Course3WGST Major Course3
Minor3Minor3
Science (Math Reasoning Proficiency)3Humanities/Fine Arts3
General Elective3Social Science3
WGST Major Course3General Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
WGST Major Course3WGST 4990 (or 4940 Internship)3
WGST Major Course3Minor3
Minor3Humanities/Fine Arts3
Humanities/Fine Arts3General Elective3
General Elective3General Elective3
 15 15
Total Credits: 120

Contact

Department of Women's and Gender Studies
muaswgst@missouri.edu
325 Strickland Hall
(573) 882-2703

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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