Women’s and Gender Studies Minor

UMass Dartmouth offers a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies through a flexible interdisciplinary program of courses. Many classes are organized in seminar style to allow the fullest possible participation of all students. Minors work closely with a faculty advisor to explore course options and earn academic credits through independent study and field work.

The WGS minor is composed of 18 credits that are completed in the following way: 

• Three (3) Core Courses for 9 credit hours as follows:

  • WGS 101: Introduction to Women’s Studies
  • WGS 201: Introduction to Feminist Theory
  • WGS 312: Feminist Research Methods

• One (1) upper level feminist theory course

• Two electives for a total of six credit hours, one of which is to be from a perspective other than European or American, from an approved list.

Out of the eighteen (18) credit hours for the minor, nine (9) need to be at the upper level (300/400 level).

Students are encouraged to meet with the Department Chairperson and program faculty to plan a course sequence that responds to their individual interests and goals. A student may take WGS courses at any time, although a minor cannot be formally declared until a student earns 54 credits.

A minor must be completed at the time of the degree and will be so noted on the student’s transcript.  A student cannot be readmitted to the University to complete only a minor.