Program Leading to the Joint Master of Arts Degree in Women's Studies and the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Sociology
The combined M.A Women’s Studies /PhD Sociology program is the outcome of longstanding cooperation and overlapping strengths between the Departments of Sociology and Women’s Studies. It allows Sociology PhD students with interests in Gender Studies and Women’s Studies students with sociological interests to combine their work in these two programs. This is facilitated by the number of joint and affiliated faculty shared between the two departments, as well as by graduate-level cross-listed coursework. It is also facilitated by the willingness of both departments to allow requirements for one program to be included as a portion of the coursework for the other program.
Students in the Joint program will fulfill requirements for both degrees. The Women’s Studies M.A. requires a total of 32 credits, including several core courses, a Master’s project, and elective courses forming a cohesive cluster. The Sociology PhD program requires a total of 60 credits (plus the dissertation), including several core courses, a Teaching Tool, a Research Tool, and two comprehensive area exams. Cooperative agreements between the Departments allow the Sociology comprehensive exam in Gender to meet the Women’s Studies Master’s project requirement. The Women’s Studies core courses are allowed to count as credit toward the Sociology PhD, and the Women’s Studies Research Seminar (a core course) may count as the Research Tool for the PhD. Electives, including courses that are cross-listed, listed in either department, or in other departments, may count toward both degrees as approved by the Graduate Directors.
Applicants will be reviewed by the Graduate Directors and Committees of both departments. Applications for the joint program can also be considered after entry into either program.
Program Requirements
Women’s Studies M.A.
Course Requirements (32 credits minimum)
WSS 510 Graduate Orientation (1-2)
WSS 565 Feminist Theory (4)
WSS 590 Research Seminar (4)
Graduate course that considers the intersections of race, class, and sexuality with sex/gender (can be met by many possible courses)
Grounding in the Disciplines (3-8 credits) Students are required to ground themselves in more than one discipline or interdisciplinary area.
WSS 690 Final Project (3-4). Options for the project include a research-based paper, a comprehensive exam based on a reading list, or a pedagogy or community project with a written component.
Other courses as advised, including three that form a coherent field of study and that are chosen in consultation with the Graduate Director.
Sociology Ph.D.
Course Requirements (60 credits minimum)
Soc 509 Research Methods (3)
Soc 510 Sociological Theories 1 (3)
Soc 511 Sociological Theories 11 (3)
Soc 522 Intermediate Statistics (3)
Soc 590A Orientation to Sociology*
Soc 590B Orientation to Sociology*
Soc 609 Multivariate Analysis (3)
Teaching Tool Requirement (3)
Supporting courses as advised (42 Credits)
*Attendance is mandatory; course is 0 credits.
Other requirements:
Research Tool Requirement (This may be met by proficiency in a foreign language or through coursework; if the latter, credits do not count toward the 60 credits for the degree.)
Methods Comprehensive Examination (contingent on grades)
Comprehensive Examinations in two subject areas
Dissertation
