Apr 19, 2024  
Graduate Catalog | 2015-2016 
    
Graduate Catalog | 2015-2016 Previous Edition

Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, Graduate Certificate


The Graduate Certificate in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies can be earned in conjunction with master’s or doctoral work in a wide variety of subjects. The certificate can also be earned through a freestanding course of study not linked to a graduate degree.  The Graduate Certificate in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies will expose students from a variety of disciplines to the core theories and approaches used in studies of women, gender (which includes masculinity), feminism, and sexuality.  

The certificate program is open to all students who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and either:

  1. are enrolled and in good standing in a graduate degree program at UNC Charlotte, or
  2. have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0

All students are admitted to the Graduate School in a special category for certificate programs.  In addition to the general requirements for graduate certificate programs explained under the “Degree Requirements and Academic Policies ” section of the Catalog, students should submit a letter explaining the applicant’s educational and work background, interests, and plans, with an emphasis on how this certificate will enhance, complement, or advance the applicant’s work and/or education.  Letters of recommendation are not required.

Certificate Requirements


The Graduate Certificate in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies requires the completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours of graduate coursework. This includes 2 core courses and 2 elective courses.

Core Courses (6 credit hours)


Students are required to complete two of the following courses.  Students should select the courses that most closely reflect their interests.

Elective Courses (6 credit hours)


Students are also required to complete two elective courses at the graduate level.  Any graduate level course offered by the Women’s and Gender Studies Program will count as an elective.  Elective courses can also come from other disciplines.  These courses may be seminars, directed readings or directed research courses as long as they focus on women, gender, feminism, or sexuality.  Students wishing to use a course offered in another department or program as an elective should have the Graduate Program Director or Director of Women’s and Gender Studies approve the course prior to enrolling in it.

Transfer Credit


Transfer credit is not accepted in the certificate program.