Gender and Women’s Studies BA

Gender, Women’s, + Sexuality Studies is an interdisciplinary field of inquiry that investigates how gender and sexuality operate as organizing axes of social, cultural, economic and political institutions, as well as in the everyday lives and cultural products of people who must live within them. Emphasizing the importance of historical and cross-cultural and transnational perspectives, Gender, Women’s, + Sexuality Studies at UMBC critically examines the intersections of gender and sexuality with other differences, including, class, race, ethnicity, nationality, age, and ability to make visible structures of power that otherwise remain hidden. We empower students to imagine a more just future and equip them with the tools to collectively enact it.

Ready to declare this major? Fill out a declaration of major form and submit it to the Registrar’s Office through RT.

Want to bring this information to your advising appointment? Download the GWST BA advising guide

Take a look at what four years in the GWST BA can look like: GWST BA academic pathway

The major in gender and women’s studies consists of 36 credits, divided as follows:

ELECTIVE CREDITS (21 credits) – Complete 21 elective credits: 12 credits must be from the three content areas listed below, and an additional 9 credits of GWST courses. Of these 21 elective credits, 6 credits must be designated Range of Experience (RoE) courses and 15 must at the 300 level and above. Students have the option to take up to 3 credits of independent study and 3 credits of internship towards completion of the major.

Selected topics courses (CSST 292, 392, 492, GWST 290, 390, 490) may be counted toward the 21 credits in electives.

NOTE: A C or better is required in all courses applied toward the major