Women and Gender Studies Concentration
Women and Gender Studies was founded model of the “three-pronged” stool: teaching, research and activism. We offer an exciting array of classes, at both the undergraduate and graduate level that interrogate systems in inequality, including gender, sexuality, race, class, ableism, religion, and region of the world.
Other Concentrations
Exploration of gender in social, political, cultural, and economic life; gender in history; women and the media; gender in literature and the arts; feminist theory; the relationship between sex and gender; the impact of sex, race, class, health, disability, and sexual orientation on people’s lives; and the ways in which gender influences the self in relationship to others in national and global contexts.
This concentration prepares students for:
- graduate studies in fields such as women and gender studies; sociology, history, literature, psychology, philosophy, political science, media, communications, social justice and human rights; interdisciplinary studies; global affairs
- career opportunities in education; communications and media; nonprofit; community-based, government and international agencies; public service; advocacy; gender-based violence prevention in NGOs and in private organizations
Mason offers many Accelerated Master's Programs that allow students to earn a bachelor's and master's degrees in as little as 5 years. Click here to learn more about the different degree programs.
The Masters of Art in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) is also in the School of Integrative Studies and offers a concentration in Women and Gender Studies. Our Undergraduate and Graduate advisors work together to support SIS students through this pathway.
Major Map
| First Year | Middle Years | Last Year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academics |
Take required courses. Make a connection with a professor. Meet with your academic advisor at least once each semester your first year. Small classroom learning in this major Find scholarships. |
Meet with your advisor to choose courses and stay on track with meeting degree requirements. Declare/consider declaring your concentration. Consider a double major or a minor. Is a Bachelor to Accelerated Master's (BAM) program right for you? Apply as early as 60 credits! Reach out to faculty for research mentorship. |
Work closely with your advisor to verify you are meeting your graduation requirements. Apply for graduation. Take INTS 491 Senior Capstone (Mason Core). Consider submitting your research to CHSS Research Symposium.
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| Career and Professional Prep |
See what the WGST Program says about career opportunities in this area: This concentration prepares students for:
See what students and alumni say about this major. Visit the Career Services Center to start research on the types of jobs or industries you may find interesting (ex. Human Services, Nonprofit, Work Abroad, and more). Explore resources/ professional opportunities at any of the following women's/ gender related orgs in the DC/ Northern Virginia area:
Build a resume and LinkedIn profile to continue career exploration and develop your professional persona. Activate your Handshake profile to explore and opt-in to industry email lists. Start talking to professionals and faculty members via informational interviews to gain insight on their path through their career. |
Enroll in INTS 420: College to Career Skills. Look for internship opportunities using University Career Services and Handshake. Have an internship? Enroll in INTS 490: Internship to receive credit for internship. Discuss with multiple faculty and current professionals in the work force whether graduate school might be the right path for you. Consider graduate or professional schools in the United States or abroad. Prepare standardized admission tests for graduate or professional schools, if necessary. Apply for scholarships and fellowships. Create your own . Join student organizations related to your career field. Talk to your professors about your goals, and ask them about job or internship opportunities. Connect with Mason alumni who share your career interests and have a career conversation (docx) with them. Use job search sites specific to your career field. Attend career fairs and employer events where you can meet multiple representatives. International Students: Be informed of the latest immigration compliance rules and regulations for on-campus and off-campus work authorization. Contact the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) for more information. |
Specify prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 9 months before graduation. Finalize materials for post-graduation employment (such as your LinkedIn page, a portfolio, etc). For graduate school applications, prepare statement of purpose/goals statement, resume and/or CV, and notify the writers of your letters of recommendation before application deadlines.
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| Experiences |
Attend a meeting of (department-sponsored student club) to meet fellow majors and get involved in LinkedIn and Mason 360. Attend at least one event organized by the WGST Center/ Program or by the lgbtq+ resources center. Consider joining at least one Mason student org. Check them all out on Mason 360. Look ahead to planning a student abroad program through the Global Education Office. In the meantime, see what Northern Virginia and Washington DC have to offer! Here is one major-specific DC metro area attraction you can visit: National Museum of Women in the Arts
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Meet people and become involved in the life of the college. Events and news for your major. Strengthen your leadership competency. Become a CHSS Ambassador. Become a CHSS Undergraduate Learning Assistant. |
Attend a regional or national research conference (Search for student discounts or complimentary for conference registration). Join professional associations (student discount membership may be available).
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