The graduate certificate may be taken alone or in conjunction with another graduate program. Courses applied to the certificate may be applied to a degree program, subject to approval of the director of the respective program.

Admissions

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to the graduate certificate in women and gender studies, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.

Policies

In accordance with university policy, students may transfer up to 3 graduate credits earned at another accredited institution to the certificate program with the approval of the director of the program and the dean. They may transfer up to 6 graduate credits earned at Mason in non-degree status toward the certificate, subject to approval of the director and the dean in accordance with university policy.

For policies governing all graduate certificates, see AP.6.8 Requirements for Graduate Certificates.

Banner Code: LA-CERG-WGST

Certificate Requirements

Total credits: 15

This certificate may be pursued on a full-or part-time basis.

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Core Courses

WMST 630Feminist Theories3
WMST 640Transnational Issues of Gender and Race3
Total Credits6

Electives

Select 9 credits from the following:9
Any WMST graduate course at the 500- or 600- level
SOCI 605
Gender and Social Structure
SOCI 634
Qualitative Research Methods
INTS 534
Research for Social Change
INTS 537
Critical Race Studies
INTS 538
Representations of Race
INTS 540
Contemporary Issues in Social Justice Human Rights
CONF 707
Gender and Violence
Other special topics course with the approval of the graduate director
Total Credits9

Capstone Portfolio

Students synthesize their work in the certificate program by reflecting on how issues, ideas, and theories raised in the core courses inform their understanding of gender issues within their area of interest. The portfolio includes three to five items produced in previous coursework and a 7-10 page essay discussing them. The portfolio may include course papers, performance videos, photos of exhibits, music, or other items as agreed on by the student and advisor. The portfolio must be approved by the graduate advisor and submitted to the Women and Gender Studies Program, where it will be presented, displayed, and archived.

WMST 699Capstone Portfolio0