Three students studying in the UAlbany west garden.

Bachelor of Arts in
Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Study Gender Bias and Inequity in Our Society

The women's, gender and sexuality studies program at UAlbany enables you to develop informed perspectives on the complex relationships between gender, sexuality, race, and class in America and around the world.

Faculty members in this program are exceptionally diverse and offer a wide range of courses in subjects such as the history of the LGBTQ movement in the United States, women and political power, inequality in biotechnologies, media and popular culture, and legal issues related to gender identity and sexual orientation.

Many students enroll in this bachelor's program as a second major because its deeply interdisciplinary curriculum naturally complements academic studies in departments across the University.

Additional Program Information

Undergraduate Bulletin  |  Course Catalog  |  Four-Year Plan  | Contact: Janell Hobson

Program of Study

programofstudy

A minimum of 36 credits in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies courses including:

Required Courses

  • Women Creating Change OR Introduction to Feminism
  • Classism, Racism, and Sexism: Issues
  • Research Seminar in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
  • Feminist Social and Political Thought OR Topics in Feminist Theory

One of the following practicum options:

  • Feminist Pedagogy in Practice
  • Internship in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

 

Elective Courses

Take 21 credits in electives, with at least 15 credits at the 300 level or higher.

 

Global Distinction

The Global Distinction program can be completed through the WGSS major, in which requirements can be fulfilled through globally-focused WGSS courses and study abroad opportunities. See the Global Distinction in WGSS Academic Plan for details.

Practicum Options

To fulfill your practicum requirement, you'll choose one of the following options: 

Gain Seminar Leadership Experience

The University at Albany was the first in the nation to offer a peer teaching program known as The Teaching Collective. Today it is Feminist Pedagogy in Practice.

If you participate in this applied learning opportunity, you'll gain first-hand experience facilitating undergraduate seminar discussions in the course Introduction to Feminisms.

Support a Local Community Organization

With this option, you get to work with partner organizations solving real problems in Albany and the greater Capital Region.

The department is connected to many local agencies and nonprofit groups, so it's easy for you to obtain an internship that's aligned with your interests and will support your career goals.

Honors Program


If you've earned at least 12 credits that count toward the women's, gender and sexuality studies major and have a GPA of 3.25 or higher, you may apply for admission to its honors program in the second semester of your sophomore year.

In the honors program, you complete an intensive 3-credit independent research or creative honors project concurrently with the research methods seminar or during the following semester. The project typically begins as an upper-division paper submitted during your junior year. 

To complete the honors program, you must maintain a 3.5 GPA in all of your major courses and a 3.25 GPA overall. 

 

 

Two students studying on the UAlbany Podium
honors

Career Paths


Graduates of the women’s, gender and sexuality studies program are prepared to succeed in academic and professional graduate programs in fields such as law, social welfare, education, public administration, and public health.

With experience in critical thinking and writing about diversity and multiculturalism, alumni also pursue careers in business, social services, public affairs, publishing, and nonprofit groups. 

Many go on to obtain leadership roles with organizations such as:

  • Domestic abuse shelters
  • Rape crisis centers
  • Women's health clinics
  • LGBTQ community centers
  • Diversity and inclusion training groups
  • Civil and human rights advocacy firms


 

 

WGSS alumna Samhita Mukhopadhyay, Executive Editor of Teen Vogue
WGSS alumna Samhita Mukhopadhyay (BA, 2000), Executive Editor of Teen Vogue
career

Notable Alumni

  • Samhita Mukhopadhyay, Executive Editor, Teen Vogue
  • Jessica Valenti and Vanessa Valenti, Founders of the feminist blog Feministing
  • Awkwafina, Professional comedian, actress, and rapper
WGSS and Journalism alumna Nora Lum (BA, 2011), aka Awkwafina, center in Lulu Wang’s film The Farewell (2019)
WGSS and Journalism alumna Nora Lum (BA, 2011), aka Awkwafina, center in Lulu Wang’s film The Farewell (2019)

"One of the best things about the major is how interdisciplinary it is. I have a friend who’s pursuing grad school continuing with women’s, gender and sexuality studies and wants to be a lecturer or professor, and I’ve met other people who want to go into law so there’s a lot of different paths you can take.”

- Melody Palmer '25

UAlbany Majors: Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies

Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Options


You can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Up to 10 academic credits, billed at the undergraduate rate, will count towards both degrees – so you’ll complete your combined program in only 5 years and spend less than you would if you completed each program separately. Choose to combine your Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies undergraduate degree with one of the following graduate programs:

MA in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies 
This master’s program examines how gender at the intersections of race, ethnicity, economic status and sexual identity impacts and is impacted by different political, social and cultural systems.

MS in Information Science 
This ALA-accredited master's program covers a broad range of interdisciplinary topics related to library science, information processing, information management and data analysis.
 

UAlbany graduate at Commencement

 

 

MPH in Biomedical Sciences
Learn to investigate the molecular basis of disease as you build scientific and public health skills that help you understand health challenges in communities. You’ll be prepared for roles where you can address public health issues through research and strategic planning.

MPH in Biostatistics
Strengthen your ability to use data to study population health as you gain skills in statistical analysis and public health methods. You’ll graduate ready to work with complex health data in roles such as data analyst or biostatistician.

MPH in Environmental Health Sciences
Explore how environmental factors affect human health as you build scientific and analytical skills that help you assess risks and respond to environmental threats. This program prepares you for careers that protect communities through research, policy or environmental health practice.

MPH in Epidemiology
Analyze patterns of disease and identify risk factors as you strengthen your ability to use data to improve population health. You’ll be prepared for roles where you investigate health trends and support evidence-based decisions that protect communities.

MPH in Health Policy and Management
Develop leadership and analytical skills that help you understand how health systems function as you learn to design policies and manage programs that improve health outcomes. You’ll be ready for careers where you guide organizations and shape decisions in complex health environments.

MPH in Social Behavior and Community Health
Study how behavior and social environments influence health as you gain experience assessing community needs and developing public health interventions. This degree readies you for roles that improve well‑being through education, outreach and community-based programs.

"I completed a summer internship at The Legal Project after connecting with them as an undergraduate through the Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies department. With this degree, I'm ready to pursue a career empowering myself and others to fight against different kinds of systematic oppression."

– Chaula Shukla Tulio, BA '04, Attorney

Student Learning Objectives


Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
  • Recognize the value of social location and standpoint in knowledge-making practices.
  • Analyze a social issue using an intersectional framework.
  • Identify the interdisciplinary nature of women’s, gender & sexuality studies.
  • Create an academic product based in feminist research.
  • Demonstrate feminist praxis through community or pedagogical engagement.
slo

What Makes the University at Albany Great

Student move-in day.

Living-Learning Communities

Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.

A student abroad visiting a monument.

Study Abroad

Become a global citizen: international experience is crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.

A student conducting undergraduate research.

Undergraduate Research

Research, scholarship, and creative activities at the University at Albany is an option for all students, across all academic disciplines. You will be able to learn more about a specific academic field or career path all while building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

Explore Minors

Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume.

A minor consists of 18–24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Most undergraduate degrees require completing a minor and it has to have a different title from your major.

Full List of Minors
Full List of Minors
  • Acting
  • Africana Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Bioethics
  • Biology
  • Broadcast Meteorology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Cognitive Science
  • Communication (Fully Online Option)
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminal Justice Studies (Fully Online Option)
  • Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • Documentary Studies
  • East Asian Studies
  • Economics
  • Educational Studies
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Electronics
  • Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • English
  • Ethics and Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
  • Film Studies
  • Forensic Science
  • French
  • Game Design and Development
  • Geographic Information Science
  • Geography
  • Globalization Studies
  • Hebrew
  • History (Fully Online Option)
  • Informatics (Fully Online Option)
  • Instrumental Performance
  • International Studies
  • Italian
  • Japanese Studies
  • Journalism (Fully Online Option)
  • Judaic Studies
  • Korean Studies
  • Latin American and Caribbean Studies
  • Law and Philosophy
  • Leadership
  • Legal Studies
  • LGBTQ Studies
  • Library and Information Science
  • Linguistics
  • Machine Learning
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Anthropology
  • Music
  • Musical Performance
  • Musical Theatre
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Portuguese
  • Pre-Education
  • Psychology (Fully Online Option)
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Russian and Eastern European Studies
  • Social Welfare Studies
  • Sociology (Fully Online Option)
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Sustainability
  • Theatre
  • Theatrical Design/Technology
  • Urban Studies and Planning
  • U.S. Latino Studies
  • Vocal Performance
  • Weather and Climate Communication
  • Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

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