Course Requirements
Eight courses (24 credit hours) are required for the degree.  All students must take the program’s required courses in their first year. In addition, students select electives at the 500 level from a selected list. Of these six courses, two 400 level courses may be considered for credit. A maximum of two courses may be taken from other related areas at the 500 level with the approval of the Graduate Advisory Committee.

Options
A student has three options: (1) An MA Thesis (2) Comprehensive MA Exam or (3) Internship/Thesis.

MA Thesis
Students opting for the thesis must complete a thesis according to university regulations.  Students must register for GWST 599. Before commencing work on the thesis, the student must have a thesis proposal approved by three faculty members, one of whom is on the Graduate Advisory Committee. See details.

Comprehensive MA Exam
Students opting for the comprehensive exam will need to take an additional two courses.  Students must also register for GWST 588. Following completion of all course requirements, an examination is administered by an interdisciplinary examining board composed of at least one member of the IGWS advisory board. An oral exam will immediately follow if further evidence of the candidate’s knowledge is deemed necessary. See details.

Internship/Thesis
Students opting forthe internship/ thesis option must gain field experience in an international development agency, local NGO or other professional setting approved by the Graduate Advisory Committee over the period of one semester. In addition, students are required to write a 60 page thesis. Students must register for GWST 598. See details.

Degree Time Fulfillment
Fulfilling the M.A. in Gender and Women’s Studies normally calls for two years of study.