I. Description of Program

The Women's Studies Program offers graduate training leading to the Master of Arts degree in Women's Studies. The interdisciplinary program is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in Women's Studies for students seeking work beyond the bachelor's level, whether for self-enrichment or in preparation for doctoral work or a variety of careers. Students choose a concentration in either Cultural Studies or Inequality and Social Policy.

Program objectives are: development of interdisciplinary understanding of the social, political, and cultural roles of gender and race in global history and contemporary U.S. society; (2) ability to write a research paper of sufficient quality to be presented at a professional meeting or conference; (3) practical experience in the application of theoretical concepts of gender and race to social and cultural phenomena in their environments; and (4) an appreciation of and the ability to synthesize theoretical perspectives on gender and race from both the humanities and the social sciences.

II. M.A. Degree Program

A. Program Admission

Students desiring admission to the graduate program in Women's Studies should contact the Director of the Women's Studies Program as early as possible in the admissions process.

1. Admission to the Graduate School is required.
2. Prospective applicants should write directly to the Women's Studies Program to request information and application forms. (Information and application forms are also available at the Women's Studies Web site, http://cas.memphis.edu/isc/wmst).
3. The Program admits students for both fall and spring semesters and applications for admission to the Program are considered throughout the year.
4. All application materials from those wishing to apply for a graduate assistantship, however, must be received by February 15.

1. A bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university.
2. A minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Graduate Record Examination results, which will be considered within the context of the applicant's overall academic record.
4. Acceptable performance on the GRE Writing Assessment.
5. Three letters of recommendation from people qualified to judge the applicant's ability to undertake graduate work. Form letters for this purpose can be obtained from the office of the Women's Studies Program.
6. A one- to two-page Statement of Purpose from the applicant setting out reasons for seeking admission to the Women's Studies Program.
7. A 7-15-page sample of the applicant's academic or professional writing.

1. Thirty-six hours of class work, 23 of which must be at or above the 7000 level, that must include:
   1. Nine hours of core courses are required of students in both concentrations:
      1. WMST 7300, Understanding Women's Lives
      2. WMST 7310, Women, Race, and Social Inequality
      3. WMST 7320, Women and Multi-Cultural Expressions
   2. Twelve hours in the area of concentration.
   3. Nine to 12 hours of electives, which must be agreed upon by the student’s advisor.
   4. Three to six hours in the capstone project, WMST 7350.
2. A written comprehensive examination covering Women's Studies and the student's concentration.

7300. Understanding Women’s Lives: Multidisciplinary Theories and Methods. (3). Interdisciplinary overview of theoretical approaches and research methodologies used to understand women’s lives; covers multiple feminist perspectives and highlights diverse racial, ethnic, and class backgrounds.

7310. Women, Race, and Social Inequality. (3). Overview of theoretical and empirical perspectives on the multiple forms of inequality experienced by women, including analysis of women’s diverse efforts, from policy reform to social movements, to change their social positions.

7320. Women and Multi-Cultural Expressions. (3). Interdisciplinary study of women’s creativity and representation, including aspects of race, gender, and sexuality; focusing on theoretical approaches to and artistic practices in women’s lives.

7330. Women’s Studies Proseminar. (3). Speakers and group discussions of readings and issues in women’s studies providing students with professional development.

7340. Independent Study. (3). Readings and written assignments designed to provide additional comprehension of ideas and skills related to a student’s concentration.

7350. Capstone Project. (3). Internship, artistic project, or thesis, depending on student’s areas of concentration. Internship option requires written analysis of the experience and its relevance to student’s course of study. May be repeated for up to 6 hours of credit.

7380-7399. Special Topics. (3). Topics of special interest in women and race studies, approached from diverse disciplinary and theoretical perspectives.