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Women's Studies Graduate Program

Graduate Program

Degree: Master of Science

The Women’s Studies Department offers a Master of Science degree.  The Master of Science in Women's Studies is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary program that provides students with both a basic groundwork in the field of women's studies and a combination of skills that can be used in diverse fields and across disciplines. Graduates of the program will have the academic preparation to pursue careers in a variety of public and private organizations. They will be prepared to adapt to changing environments in business, health professions and nonprofit organizations in a regional, national, or international context.

For the most detailed information on the graduate program, be sure to scroll to the end of this page to access the Women's Studies Graduate Student Handbook. 

Master’s Degree requirements:

1.  A required core of three courses each worth 3 credits (total, 9 credits):

• theory
• diversity
• applied research methods & skills

2.  A concentration selected by the student in one of these three areas (total, 21 credits):

• Women, Health and Sexuality
• Women in an International Context
• Women, Leadership and Public Policy

    Each concentration has three parts:

• Its own required core course (WMST 605, 611, or 613)
• Another required course from a short list
• A longer list of electives drawing from a large variety of disciplines

3.  A final project: Thesis, Internship, or “Two Course Option with Portfolio” (6 credits)

A graduate adviser from the Women's Studies Program will be assigned to each student. After the completion of the core program and in consultation with their graduate advisers, students will construct an advanced and individually tailored program of study in one of the three concentrations listed above. Students who wish to enhance their course work with practical experience may elect the two-semester Internship or the Field Experience course.

Internship opportunities: these are especially good for students in our program.  Towson University is only 30 miles (about an hour) north of Washington, D.C., where many non-profit organizations have their national headquarters, and where most government bureaus are located.

Admission Requirements, Master’s Degree in Women’s Studies:

• A bachelor’s degree with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00.  All GPA calculations for admission are based upon the last 60 credits of undergraduate and post-baccalaureate study.
• A 2.50 GPA for conditional admission.  (An admission exception policy is in place for eligible candidates, including those whose undergraduate degrees were obtained at least 10 years earlier.)
• 9 credits in Women’s Studies and/or the social sciences.
• Send the following admission materials to the Graduate School Office, Towson University, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252:
• Two official transcripts.
• Two letters of recommendation (at least one of which must be from an academician).  Use the Recommendation Form found in the Graduate School Application Packet.
• An admission essay:  A detailed essay of 3-4 double-spaced pages emphasizing the applicant's specific plans for focused graduate study within the selected concentration, including discussions of (1) projected career goals, (2) prior academic and/or work experiences (volunteer or paid), and how these have prepared  her/him to succeed in the intended program of study and accomplish the projected career goals. 

Additional Information

• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Requirements

• Women’s Studies Graduate Program Concentrations

• Women's Studies Graduate Student Handbook

• College of Graduate Studies and Research