List of All U.S. Colleges with a Gender Studies Major

Gender Studies, also known as Gender & Sexuality studies, spans a range of topics that looks at gender and sexuality through an interdisciplinary lens. The field critically examines the overarching structures that dominate society across factors such as gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic class. 

Gender Studies is a relatively new area of study, often adapted from Feminist Studies or Women’s Studies. Now, colleges across the country have begun offering it as a major, and have even founded entire Gender Studies departments with a range of available majors and minors. A degree in Gender Studies can open up a range of future career paths, whether you aspire to be an activist, consultant, or lawyer.

Wondering if Gender Studies is a good fit for your academic aspirations? Read on to learn which schools offer this major and what to look for in their programs.

Overview of the Gender Studies Major

Gender Studies encompasses so much more than cookie-cutter feminism. The undergraduate major generally requires courses in history, gender theory, and other humanities fields, such as political science and philosophy. Gender-specific courses center on topics such as the history of the field and the different waves of feminism. Classes explore structures of power, knowledge, and body. Electives might include: Gender Justice (Columbia University); Narrating Debt (Brown University); Gender, Science, and Theory (UCLA); Polish Women in Film (Loyola University Chicago).

Gender Studies departments across colleges have different labels and many have been adapted from departments previously labeled as “Women’s Studies” or “Feminist Studies.” As the field has grown, scholars have pushed for more inclusive studies to account for gender and sexual orientation diversity – thus, these departments are now often referred to as “Gender Studies” or “Gender and Sexuality Studies” at universities. 

Most Gender Studies majors participate in seminar-style courses, in which the lecture is more of a discussion and involves a lot of student-teacher interaction. Gender Studies are also usually writing-heavy, with papers on the relevant course topics. These papers could even span personal topics, as you are often invited to center your own positionality in your written work.

In order to be successful in Gender Studies, you will need to above all, have an open mind. You should be ready to challenge your current beliefs and never make assumptions or take pre-existing systems at face value. You should also be very passionate about growing and learning; you should never feel like you have reached a “peak” and are immune to future knowledge. 

Gender Studies can lead to success in various fields, including law, teaching, communication, human resources, and counseling. Even careers that don’t directly involve gender dynamics can benefit greatly from a gender studies lens, as the major teaches the importance of equity and advocacy in all aspects of life. 

Gender Studies majors can go on to graduate school or law school, which will give you a deeper understanding of the subject and its applications. The intersectional nature of the field allows for a successful career in a variety of fields post-graduation. The knowledge and perspectives you gain serve to help you navigate the world in a more equitable manner.

What to Look for in a College as a Gender Studies Major

Living-Learning Community

Gender Studies majors looking to enhance their college experience both inside and outside of the classroom should consider applying to schools with feminism- and activism-related Living Learning Communities. This allows for students to commit to advocacy outside of the classroom and engage with students who share similar viewpoints. 

For example, at the University of Cincinnati, the Audre Lorde Social Justice House members partake in a gender-inclusive environment, and learn strategies for incorporating self-care into their lives in order to sustain activism. They also have the opportunity to engage with professionals in fields relating to intersectionality and the political climate.  

Liberal Culture/Surroundings

Gender Studies majors should also ensure that the college and its surrounding environment emanate the ideals that you hold dear. As you learn more about gender-related activism, you’ll thrive in an environment that is conducive to this type of thought. You’ll be able to nurture your learning both inside and outside of the classroom. 

For example, cities like Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles hold events like Women’s Marches and other demonstrations periodically. Going to school in a politically active area can be beneficial in applying the epistemologies you learn in the classroom to current real-world issues. 

Similarly, schools like the University of Maryland offer internships at the local, state, and federal government level, and politically active nonprofits. Students have previously interned at organizations such as The Feminist Majority Foundation, My Sister’s Place, and Court Appointed Special Advocates.

Symposiums and Related Events

Often, Gender Studies departments at colleges host symposiums, large-scale conference events, where different people can come to speak on a selected annual theme. This entails lectures, seminars, and other opportunities for students to learn from thought leaders both directly and indirectly affiliated with the university. 

For instance, Lewis and Clark College has hosted almost 40 of these events, and its last symposium, themed “Tensions of Possibility” included workshops, presentations, film screenings, roundtable discussions, and more. In the past, their speaker list has included activists like Angela Davis and Leslie Feinberg. UT Austin also has an annual Gender Symposium, with speakers consisting of faculty members from various departments and visiting scholars. The school approaches the event as a flow of ideas, and engagement of various methodologies that have dominated and are new to the field.

List of All U.S. Colleges With a Gender Studies Major

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What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?

Regardless of what major you’re considering, the primary step you should take is ensuring your academically on par with the school’s previously accepted applicants. This is because most schools utilize the Academic Index, a tool that filters out applicants based on specific statistics.

You should also make sure that your qualitative application components mesh with the school’s culture. This means that your essays and extracurriculars need to back your prospective major or the school’s overall vibe. For Gender Studies majors, the personal statement and any supplemental essays are especially important because they are opportunities to show admissions committees your writing skill. Some extracurriculars that might overlap with your prospective gender studies major are writing activism, volunteering in a political or civic service office, writing in your school’s newspaper, and participating in empowerment clubs.

To learn more about your chances of acceptance to universities for gender studies, check out CollegeVine’s free chancing engine. Unlike other calculators, this resource will take into account a large portion of your personal profile, including academic statistics and qualitative factors like extracurriculars.