Master of Arts in Women’s & Gender Studies

The Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS) curriculum is designed to meet the needs of students who strive to build a firm scholarly foundation by which to create social change. The curriculum integrates feminist theory, gender-focused research, and real-world experience. The WGS programs offers a self-designed thesis track or an applied non-thesis track that focuses on gender and violence prevention or gender and wellness. 

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Women’s & Gender Studies
University of Northern Iowa
225 Sabin Hall
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0509

Phone: (319) 273-7102













Why UNI?

Tailored to your needs.

The MA in Women's & Gender Studies offers two tracks, for applied or thesis-based study.

If making a difference in the world is your goal, the applied track will provide knowledge, skills and experience. You will be prepared to work in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, with a focus on gender and violence prevention, gender and wellness, or a self-designed course of study. The applied track requires the completion of 32 semester hours, to include 12 hours at the 6000-level. You will have the chance to delve more deeply into your focus by completing an internship, and to explore your specific interests by completing a culminating research project.

If pursuing a Ph.D. is your goal, the thesis track is designed for you to create your own unique course of study specific to your interests. The thesis track requires a minimum of 31 semester hours of study with a minimum of 15 hours of 6000-level courses.

Two WGS students

Enhanced learning.

The Assessment Plan for students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Women's and Gender Studies is based on the primary purpose of generating information which will be useful in enhancing student learning and program review and development. Students will seek to address three program goals:

  • Comprehend, analyze and evaluate intersectional identity, global awareness and social inequality.
  • Understand and apply women’s and gender studies methods and theories.  
  • Prepared to contribute to women's and gender studies through creative and constructive research. 
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Get started!

Applications for admission to the program are accepted at any time. Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA for regular admission. Under special circumstances, a student with less than a 3.0 may be admitted provisionally, but they must earn at least a 3.0 GPA in their first semester to remain in the program. The GRE is not required.

Student smiling

Tailored to your needs.

The MA in Women's & Gender Studies offers two tracks, for applied or thesis-based study.

If making a difference in the world is your goal, the applied track will provide knowledge, skills and experience. You will be prepared to work in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, with a focus on gender and violence prevention, gender and wellness, or a self-designed course of study. The applied track requires the completion of 32 semester hours, to include 12 hours at the 6000-level. You will have the chance to delve more deeply into your focus by completing an internship, and to explore your specific interests by completing a culminating research project.

If pursuing a Ph.D. is your goal, the thesis track is designed for you to create your own unique course of study specific to your interests. The thesis track requires a minimum of 31 semester hours of study with a minimum of 15 hours of 6000-level courses.

Two WGS students

Enhanced learning.

The Assessment Plan for students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Women's and Gender Studies is based on the primary purpose of generating information which will be useful in enhancing student learning and program review and development. Students will seek to address three program goals:

  • Comprehend, analyze and evaluate intersectional identity, global awareness and social inequality.
  • Understand and apply women’s and gender studies methods and theories.  
  • Prepared to contribute to women's and gender studies through creative and constructive research. 
Tshirts from Clothesline Project

Get started!

Applications for admission to the program are accepted at any time. Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA for regular admission. Under special circumstances, a student with less than a 3.0 may be admitted provisionally, but they must earn at least a 3.0 GPA in their first semester to remain in the program. The GRE is not required.

Student smiling