M.A.

in Women's,

Gender & Sexuality

Studies

The graduate program in Women's and Gender Studies at Stony Brook creates a space within the academy for critical thinking across disciplines about the explanatory categories of gender, race, class, sexuality, nation, and disability. Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies explores how these categories come into being and operate across different cultures and historical periods, and how they shape social, political, economic and institutional organizations as well as personal experience and perception.

The MA program was introduced in 2014 along with a PhD program. In its first three years of existence, all MA candidates successfully completed the requirements and graduated within two years. After finishing the program, Laura Abbasi-Lemmon (MA, 2016) began a PhD program in Women's Studies at the University of Maryland, while Emily Whearty (MA, 2017) continued her work in the non-profit sector as a precinct advocate at L.I. Against Domestic Violence. Joie Meier (MA, 2018) was accepted into the PhD program in Gender Studies at Indiana University Bloomington.

The program is particularly strong in four key areas: transnational social movements and globalization; the politices of representation and media analysis; gender and health; and the critical analysis of seuality. Along with the core faculty in WGSS, the graduate program programs draw from an extensive network of Graduate Faculty from across Stony Brook University. Including in the social and behavioral sciences, humanities, and health sciences.

M.A. REQUIREMENTS

Below is an overview of the requirements for the M.A. in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) at Stony Brook. These requirements are in addition to the Graduate School’s minimum standards. For more detailed information, please consult the 2024–2025 WGSS Graduate Student Handbook.

At a Glance

Coursework

Total Credits Required: 30 credits (10 graduate-level classes)
Core Courses: 9 credits (3 classes)
WGSS Electives: 6 credits (2 classes)
Additional Electives: 15 credits (5 classes)

Additional Requirements

Foreign Language Requirement: Optional
Thesis Proposal
Final Thesis Project

3 Core Courses

Course Code	Course Title	Offered
WST 600	Feminist Interdisciplinary Histories & Methods	Spring
WST 601	Feminist Theories	Fall
WST 698	Practicing WGSS / Teaching Practicum	Spring
WST 680	Interdisciplinary Research Design	Fall

Note: WGSS does not accept transfer credits for coursework that has already fulfilled requirements for another degree.

Recommended Sequence

Year 1

Fall: WST 601

Spring: WST 600 and WST 698

Builds cohort connection and academic foundation.

Year 3 (Fall)

Fall: WST 680

Supports dissertation prospectus and grant/fellowship prep.

Core Course Substitution Policy

Generally, core courses cannot be replaced with Independent Study or Directed Reading. Rare exceptions require:

Petition to the Graduate Program Director

Supporting signature from instructor

Graduate Studies Committee approval

Elective Coursework

In addition to the core courses above, you must complete 7 elective classes (21 credits). These electives are divided into:
1. WGSS Electives (2 classes = 6 credits)
2. Additional Electives (5 classes = 15 credits)
WGSS Electives

Two of your elective classes must be designated WGSS courses at the 500- or 600-level. Options include:

WST 610: Advanced Topics in WGSS
1. Varies by semester (topic/instructor).
2. You may retake this course if each iteration covers a different topic.
Repetition of WST 600 or WST 601
1. Because these seminars are taught by different instructors each year (with significantly different content), you may fulfill one WGSS elective by retaking WST 600 or WST 601 with a different instructor.
WGSS-Approved Graduate Courses
1. You may request approval to use gender- or sexuality-themed classes from other departments toward your 2-course WGSS Elective requirement.
2. Send the course information to the Graduate Program Director for review; final approval rests with the Graduate Studies Committee.
Additional Electives

Beyond your 2 WGSS electives, you must complete 5 more graduate-level courses (500- or 600-level) in any department at Stony Brook. Keep in mind:
1. You may count one WGSS Independent Study (WST 599) among these 5 electives.
2. You may also use up to 6 credits of WGSS Thesis Research (WST 598) here, typically after you have finished most coursework.
3. Independent Study (WST 599) can be a great way to begin researching your thesis topic or developing your thesis proposal.
Additional Requirements

A. Foreign Language Requirement (Optional)

While the WGSS program does not require a foreign language, students whose research requires language proficiency should discuss this with the Graduate Program Director.

B. Thesis Proposal

All M.A. candidates must prepare a Thesis Proposal under the guidance of their Primary Advisor. This proposal should outline the scope, methodology, and objectives of the project.

C. Annual Review

Each Spring semester students will undergo a review of their academic progress. See Graduate Manual for more info.

D. Final Thesis Project

A Final Thesis is required for the M.A. in WGSS. Students normally conduct original research under faculty supervision, culminating in a written thesis that aligns with the approved proposal.

D. Grade Requirements
1. Maintain a 3.5 GPA
2. All courses must be passed with B- or higher.
3. No more than 2 incomplete grades in any one semester
For additional details on any of these requirements,
please see the 2024–2025 WGSS Graduate Student Handbook.

Have Questions?

Director of Graduate Studies

Ritch Calvin

Email: ritchie.calvin@stonybrook.edu

Course approvals & substitutions, program specific transfer credit evaluation, clarification on course and program content, research, and similar academically related questions.

Academic Program Coordinator

Charles Edwards

Email: charles.j.edwards@stonybrook.edu

Enrollment, graduation, general administrative questions.

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