Sociology

Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Women's Studies

At WMU, gender and women's studies is an interdisciplinary program pulling from sociology, history, economics, law and communication to help you understand how gender, race and class intersect across cultures and throughout history. You'll explore real questions about identity, inequality and social change, in the U.S. and around the world. The program builds critical thinking and analytical skills valuable in fields like advocacy, policy, media and social justice.
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9 of 10

Broncos are employed quickly, working in their fields in jobs they like

—2024-25 Career Outcomes Report
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98%

of Broncos had instructors who made them excited about learning

—2024-25 Career Outcomes Report
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22 trips abroad

led by College of Arts and Sciences' faculty in 17 countries across the world

—
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Pursue a B.A in Gender and Women's Studies

A gender and women's studies degree gives you more than an understanding of theory—it gives you real experience applying it. Most students complete an internship or independent study, connecting classroom learning to real-world or research work before graduation. Along the way, you'll sharpen critical thinking, research and communication skills that translate into careers in advocacy, education, public policy, law, healthcare and journalism, and build a strong foundation for graduate or professional school.
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What you will learn

In gender and women's studies, you'll explore feminist theories and how they've evolved over time, gaining frameworks to examine gender across cultures, history and social systems. You'll trace these ideas through real contexts, from workplace economics to legal rights and political movements. Courses take a global perspective, challenging you to compare women's experiences across borders and examine how societies define, enforce and resist gender norms. 

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Where you'll be after graduation

Graduates go on to careers in nonprofit and advocacy work, education, public policy, law, healthcare, human resources, and journalism — anywhere that values critical thinking and a deep understanding of people and systems. Many also use this degree as a launching pad for graduate or professional school, including law, social work, and public administration programs.
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What others have achieved

With a strong foundation in research, communication and critical analysis, gender and women's studies graduates leave WMU ready to apply what they've learned in careers and communities of their choosing.  

Laney Roberts and Sean Knowles stand next to the Cannes Film Festival Sign

Yes, you Cannes: WMU film students land internship at world’s most prestigious film festival

Bonnie Jo Campbell in her home writing space.

Women who rise from the waters—and an author’s rising acclaim

Making the most of your learning experience

From day one, gender and women's studies is a hands-on academic experience. Courses are discussion-driven, asking you to actively engage with texts, legal frameworks, historical evidence and real-world case studies rather than passively absorb information. This kind of critical participation builds research, communication and analytical skills valued by employers and graduate programs alike.
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What scholarships are available for a Gender and Women's Studies degree?

Cost shouldn't be the reason you don't pursue a degree you're passionate about, and at WMU, we work to make sure it isn't. Students in the College of Arts and Sciences have access to university wide funding as well as program-specific scholarships available directly through gender and women's studies. WMU's Office of Student Financial Aid can help you sort through your options—scholarships, grants, work-study, loans—and build a plan that works for you. The sooner you reach out, the more opportunities you'll have.
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Frequently asked questions

A gender and women's studies degree prepares you for careers in advocacy and nonprofit work, education, law and public policy, healthcare and social services, communications and media, and business and HR, including growing areas like diversity, equity and inclusion. It's also strong preparation for graduate school in law, public health, social work, education or the humanities. 

Yes—most students complete an internship or independent study before graduation. Internships connect you with organizations in advocacy, education, public policy and social services, while an independent study lets you dive into a topic you care about alongside WMU faculty. 

Yes—program-specific awards include the Patricia Dangremond Endowed Scholarship, a $1,000 award for students with financial need, and the Women's Education Coalition Grant Program, a renewable $250 to $4,000 award supporting women pursuing financial self-sufficiency through education. Students also have access to college-level and university wide funding, and WMU's Office of Student Financial Aid can help you build a plan. 

The program follows WMU's standard undergraduate admissions requirements, with no extra steps to get started. Many students don't declare the major until sophomore year, giving you room to explore an introductory course first. 

Both explore inequality, identity and how society works. Sociology takes a broad view of social institutions and systems across areas like family, religion, crime and economic inequality, while gender and women's studies uses gender as its organizing lens, examining how it intersects with race, class, sexuality and power. Put simply: sociology asks how society works, while gender and women's studies asks who benefits, who doesn't, and why.