Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies (WGSS) is an exciting interdisciplinary major! In WGSS, we are committed to an integrative analysis, where the study of women, gender, and sexuality is understood to be multifaceted, diverse, and embedded in complex matrices of power relations. Our undergraduate curriculum includes a rich set of core courses and electives that present students with the vibrant field of feminist scholarship today. The courses challenge students to critically examine the categories of analysis and aim to make the complex and multiple histories of feminisms, feminist movements, and feminist theory accessible. In addition, our curriculum encourages our students to develop critical analyses of the politics of knowledge. We encourage students to explore internships, independent studies, honors, and other educational opportunities in order to craft their own program to best suit their interests.
How Do I Become a WGSS Major?
If you are a current UMass student who wants to major or minor in WGSS, please fill out the linked form, and we'll be in touch!
As soon as you are an official major, the WGSS requirements will appear in SPIRE.
Major Requirements Prior to Summer 2025
WGSS majors must take at least 36 WGSS credits that include the following required courses:
- WGSS 201: Gender and Difference: Critical Analyses (offered every semester)
- 300-level theory class: Students must take a course that fulfills the theory requirement (see the course guide)
- WGSS 310: Junior Year Writing (offered each fall)
- WGSS 494TI: The Integrative Experience Seminar (offered in spring): Students must have taken a course that counts toward the theory requirement before taking this class
- A minimum of three additional classes offered in the WGSS department, 3 or more credits each, 200 level and above
- Additional electives for a total of 36 credits or more
WGSS Major Requirements as of Summer 2025
Primary majors in WGSS must take at least 36 WGSS credits that include the following:
Required Courses
- WGSS 187: Gender, Sexuality and Culture (4 credit GenEd course, offered every semester)
- WGSS 201: Gender and Difference: Critical Analyses (Offered every semester)
- WGSS 301: Theory requirement (offered each fall)
Required by university for primary majors (7 credits). The following two are also GenEds and second majors can take the following course as electives if they wish OR they can take 7 credits of other WGSS courses
- WGSS 310: Junior year writing ( 3 credits, offered each fall)
- WGSS 494TI: the Integrative Experience Seminar (Offered every spring). Students must have taken WGSS 301, the theory requirement before taking this class
Electives (19 credits)
- 4 courses with a WGSS designation (12 or more credits in addition to those listed above)
- 2 courses (Relevant to WGSS, but can be from outside WGSS. See course guide for list or via petition prior to taking the courses. Talk to your faculty sponsor.
