The Feminist Studies Graduate Certificate offers a concentrated feminist perspective and interdisciplinary theoretical approach to a student’s disciplinary research interests as well as a broad understanding of the field of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. Thus, the WGSS Feminist Graduate Certificate can be earned by students enrolled in a Graduate Degree Program, or as a stand-alone certificate for those who have completed their undergraduate degree.
Because the Feminist Graduate Certificate is interdisciplinary and because students will approach the certificate from a range of home fields and with widely varying preparation, plans of study are individualized, but each certificate candidate must study, in some form, feminist and queer theory and methodology. Certificate plans of study must include work in more than one department and must be approved by the Program Director or her designee, who will coordinate the certificate program. A member of the WGSS core faculty will advise each candidate in order to ensure the careful mentoring necessary to give each student’s program an interdisciplinary breadth as well as an appropriate fit with the student’s other course work and professional needs.
For both Degree and Non-Degree students, this Certificate will:
- Increase the ability to think critically through exposure to interdisciplinary perspectives
- Systematically add interdisciplinary breadth to the student’s disciplinary program and knowledge base
- Develop expertise in feminist and queer theory and methodology
- Offer focused study of the scholarship on women, gender, and sexualities
- Foster new strengths in both teaching and research
- Provide a solid credential for future employment and academic opportunities
- Promote the discovery of ways to apply learning toward the good of society(ies)
For all applicants:
**1. All students applying to the WGSS FSGC Program must first apply to and be accepted by the UConn Graduate School as a student pursuing the FSGC. All Graduate University applications are done online. More information and online application forms are on the Graduate School website, UConn Graduate School Application.
Current Students Only:
- upload your unofficial Uconn transcripts to the application
- previous school transcripts are not required if you are a current student
Current, active MA/PhD students do not have to pay the application fee. PRIOR TO submitting online application email gradadmissions@uconn.edu, informing the Graduate school that you are a current student and they will remove the application fee.
Graduate Admissions Contact Information:
438 Whitney Road Extension, Unit 1006
Storrs, CT 06269-1006
Phone: (860) 486-3617
Fax: (860) 486-6739
2. The Graduate School will send you an email requiring your official acceptance into the WGSS FSGC program. Please follow the directions indicated in the email.
3. AFTER students are accepted to the Graduate School, the Graduate School acceptance letter along with the appropriate WGSS FSGC application materials as listed below should be submitted to the WGSS Office in Beach Hall. Submit all WGSS materials to the Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies Program office, Beach Hall Room 422. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For further information, contact:
The Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies Program
354 Mansfield Road, Unit 2181
Storrs, CT 06269-2181
Phone: (860) 486-3970
Fax: (860) 486-4789
E-mail: wsinfo@uconn.edu
4. During your final semester, please go to the Student Administration System and apply for Graduation.
5. During the final semester before graduation submit an approved (signed by advisor) WGSS FSGC plan of study form to the Graduate School, and WGSS. Make sure to provide a copy to the FSGC Advisor, and retain a copy. Also complete an application for degree completion in the Student Administration System.
The official WGSS FSGC is applied to your transcripts after you have submitted your graduation request online and you have submitted your WGSS FSGC plan of Study.
The following link has instructions on how to apply.
UConn Graduate School Application
WGSS Certificate for current UConn MA/Ph.D. Candidates
(Degree Students)
Requirements:
- Current enrollment in an MA/Ph. D. course of study
- Separate acceptance by Graduate School for pursuit of WS Graduate Certificate**
- 12 hours of course work, of which 9 hours must be at the 300/5000/6000 level or above; with prior approval, a maximum of one 200/3000 level course may be applied to the Certificate
- Required coursework: each student must take one feminist theory course and one feminist pedagogy course, unless waived by the director or WGSS FSGC advisor
- No more than one Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies 390/5390 course may be applied to the certificate
- Except for WGSS courses, no more than two classes (6 hours) can be taken from any one department or faculty member- this ensures the interdisciplinarity of this certificate
Application Procedure for the submission of the FSGC (send only AFTER Graduate School application is submitted):
- Completed WGSS Internal Application form –
- Written acceptance from Graduate School for pursuit of FSGC**
- Written approval from you major advisor
- Essay on the relationship of the FSGC to your degree program
- Official UCONN Transcript
- Meeting with the Director of WGSS or the Faculty Advisor of the FSGC
WGSS Certificate for Non-Degree Students
Requirements:
- Acceptance by Graduate School for pursuit of FSGC**
- A Bachelor’s Degree
- 12 hours of course work, of which 9 hours must be at the 300/5000/6000 level or above; with prior approval, a maximum of one 200/3000 level course may be applied to the Certificate
- Required coursework: each student must take one feminist theory course and one feminist pedagogy course, unless waived by the director or FSGC advisor
- No more than one Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies 390/5390 course may be applied to the certificate
- Except for WGSS courses, no more than two classes (6 hours) can be taken from any one department or faculty member – this ensures the interdisciplinarity of this certificate
Application Procedure for the submission of the FSGC (send only AFTER Graduate School application is submitted):
- Completed WGSS FSGC Internal Application form
- Written acceptance from Graduate School for pursuit of FSGC**
- Essay on the relationship of the FSGC to the applicant’s career/academic goals (max. 2 single spaced pages)
- Official Transcripts (undergraduate, and graduate, if applicable)
- Three letters of recommendation, at least one of which should address the applicant’s academic preparation, skills and potential
- Meeting with the Director of WGSS or the Faculty Advisor of the FSGC. Call (860) 486-3970 to schedule an appointment.