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Research and teaching assistantships are available for full-time MA students
What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

36 credit hours over 4-5 semesters (two-year program)

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Fall: April 15 (Priority: February 1)
  • Spring: Does not admit
  • Summer: Does not admit

Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, M.A.

The Georgia State University M.A. program in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies has four interrelated areas of concentration:

  • Black Feminist Thought
  • Sexualities, Queer, and Trans Studies
  • Transnational WGSS
  • Social Change and Applied WGSS

Our curriculum stands out for its emphasis on the intersections of gender and sexuality with race, nationalisms, ethnicity and transnationalism. We have a strong emphasis on queer theory and LGBTQ studies and the theory and practice of activism.

One distinction of our program is that we offer non-thesis options in addition to the traditional academic thesis path. Students complete one of the following paths toward degree:

  • Research Thesis: an originally researched topic that contributes to a new area of gender and sexuality studies scholarship
  • Capstone Practicum: choices include creative project in the arts, such as a play, an art exhibit or mixed-media work; an internship with a local social justice-oriented organization or other form of community and/or activist engagement; a cumulative academic position paper

Reflecting Diversity in Women’s,Gender and Sexuality Studies

Our students have a wide range of research interests, reflecting the diversity of the field of women’s, gender and sexuality studies. Some recent M.A. thesis projects by WGSS students include:

The Black Female Rap Renaissance: An Intertextual Analysis Of Black Female Rap Lyrics As A Functional Feminism, Candace Hasan (2024)

Asexuality as an Indeterminate Ideal: Towards a Postcritical Attitude of Asexual Experience, Christopher Vanbeukering (2024)

Tight Coils: Black Transfemininity, Transhegemony, and Identity Formation in The U.S. South, Vic J. Kennedy (2023)

Revolutionizing Knowledge Production: Transformative Reproductive Justice Activism Through Zine Making, Sierra R. Reyes (2023)

audience of people from a range of sexualities gthered for a performance

Candice Merritt, “Our Sacrifice Shall Not Be Required: Examining Maternal Ambivalence and Refusal in Black Motherhood” (2018), directed by Tiffany King

Career Opportunities with an M.A. in
Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies M.A. graduates pursue careers in various fields. Many of our students go on to pursue Ph.D.’s, while others pursue jobs in teaching, social work, public policy or non-profit organizations. Potential career outcomes include:

  • Academia
  • Law and Human Rights
  • Non-Profit Organizations
  • Public Policy and Advocacy
  • Social Services
  • Corporate Sector
  • Media and Communications
  • International Development
  • Healthcare

Overall, an M.A. in Gender Studies equips graduates with critical thinking skills, a deep understanding of social dynamics and the ability to advocate for and implement change across various professional fields.

Team of business people engaged in a discussion, working on a new project in non-profit organization office

Program Details

Our graduate students come from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, including humanities (such as English and history), social sciences (such as psychology, sociology and anthropology) and professional fields (such as social work and education).We encourage a background in the field of women’s, gender and sexuality studies either in formal education, community organizing, or artistic projects.

In addition to the College’s Graduate School Admission Requirements, we also require:

  • Three letters of recommendation addressing your ability to undertake graduate study
  • Written statement of purpose of 750-1000 words
  • An academic writing sample.
  • (GRE not required)

View Additional Application Guidance

Prospective students who wish to apply for the graduate program should read about graduate admissions for the College of Arts and Sciences.For priority consideration, including assistantship consideration, all materials must be received by March 1; the latest deadline for consideration is April 15. Contact our Graduate Director with any additional questions.

Master of Arts Degree Requirements

  • Thirty hours of graduate coursework, 15 hours of which are required (WGSS 8001, WGSS 8002, WGSS 8004, WGSS 8005 and and WGSS 8007) and 15 hours of coursework that may be chosen from the Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality courses or from approved courses in other departments.
  • A minimum of six hours of Thesis Research or Capstone Hours for non-thesis options.
  • A thesis or practicum approved by the student’s committee.

For complete degree requirements, visit the catalog.

Please note that in the case of any conflict of information, the Graduate Catalog supersedes the WGSS website.

Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies M.A. graduates will be academically prepared to be scholars and practitioners in fields and/or career placements relevant to their core concerns.

Contacts

WGSS Graduate Director
Dr. Maura Bernales
[email protected]

Street Address:

Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Georgia State University
25 Park Place
Suite 2201
Atlanta, GA 30303

Mailing Address:

Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3969
Atlanta, GA 30302-3969

College of Arts & Sciences Lockup25 Park Pl NE #2500
Atlanta, GA 30303