Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Graduate Certificate

Certificate Candidacy

To earn a graduate certificate at Washington University, a student must complete all courses required by their department; maintain satisfactory academic progress; fulfill all academic and residence requirements; and file an Intent to Graduate. Graduate certificates are not standalone programs and are only available to current students in applicable graduate programs. Thus, graduate certificates are conferred at the same time as the student’s primary graduate program.

Program Requirements

  • Total Units Required: 15
  • Certificate Length: Since the certificate requires three courses beyond those required for a student's home degree, participation in the certificate program may require an extra semester of graduate courses.
    • Note: Students must be enrolled in 9 graduate credits each semester to retain full-time status. As students complete their course work, if enrolled in fewer than 9 graduate credits, they must enroll in a specific Arts & Sciences graduate course that will show 0 units but does count as full-time status. Students should connect with their department to ensure proper enrollment prior to Add/Drop.

Graduate students interested in the graduate certificate in WGSS should first apply for admission to the Washington University department in which they wish to obtain an advanced degree. After being admitted, each student should notify their department advisor and the WGSS program director of their plans to obtain the WGSS certificate. In addition, each student should submit an "Application for Admission to Certificate Program" form to the Office of Graduate Studies, Arts & Sciences, with a copy also given to the WGSS office. The earlier that the WGSS department knows who these students are, the earlier these students can be included in mailings about program activities, lectures, conferences, and other events. Certificate application forms are available from the Office of Graduate Studies, Arts & Sciences.

Required Courses

The graduate certificate in WGSS requires the completion of five courses, at least two of which must be drawn from 500-level home-based WGSS courses. The additional three required courses must be drawn from 500-level home-based or cross-listed WGSS courses or from other, department-approved, gender-based courses. Up to 6 units can be double-counted between the program and the certificate; students should consult the director for approval. Since a certificate requires three courses beyond those required for a student's home degree, participation in the certificate may require an extra semester of graduate classes. The minimum grade for course work to count toward the certificate is a B.

Visit the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies page
for additional information about this program.

Contact Info

Phone:314-935-5102
Email:wgss@wustl.edu
Website:http://wgss.artsci.wustl.edu