Program: Women’s Studies, M.A. - San Diego State University

Apr 16, 2025

2019/2020 University Catalog

In addition to meeting the requirements for classified graduate standing and the basic requirements for the master’s degree as described in Part Four of this bulletin, the student, in consultation with the graduate adviser, must fulfill a three-unit language requirement selected from a foreign language, statistics, or American Sign Language.

Required Courses

In addition, the student must complete a graduate program of 30 units to include

WMNST 601 - Foundations of Feminist Scholarship Units: 3
WMNST 602 - Seminar: Methods of Inquiry in Women’s Studies Units: 3
WMNST 797 - Research Units: 1-3
WMNST 799A - Thesis Units: 3 (for Plan A Thesis)
A theme of study composed of nine units of graduate electives, selected with the approval of the graduate adviser.

Nine Units Selected from

WMNST 603 - Seminar: Advanced Feminist Theory Units: 3
WMNST 604 - Seminar: Gender, Culture, and Representation Units: 3
WMNST 605 - Seminar: Women and Social Policy Units: 3
WMNST 606 - Seminar: Narrating Women’s Lives Units: 3
WMNST 607 - Seminar: Privilege and Oppression Units: 3
WMNST 608 - Seminar: Body Politics Units: 3
WMNST 609 - Seminar: Transnational Issues and Gender Units: 3
WMNST 610 - Seminar in Sexuality Units: 3
WMNST 611 - Seminar: Gender and Diaspora Units: 3
WMNST 612 - Seminar: Feminist Pedagogies Units: 3
WMNST 696 - Selected Topics in Women’s Studies Units: 3-6

Thesis or Project, or Comprehensive Examination

To complete the Master of Arts degree in women’s studies, students pursue a thesis or project (Plan A), or comprehensive examination (Plan B). When Plan B is selected, students will take three additional graduate units in women’s studies in lieu of 799A. Other substitutes may be approved where the skills involved are directly related to the student’s research interests. Course selection and programs must be approved by the graduate adviser.

International Specialization

Other graduate level courses may be included in the international specialization with the approval of the graduate adviser.

Students may choose an international specialization consisting of nine units of graduate courses selected from

WMNST 512 - Latinas in the Americas Units: 3
WMNST 530 - Women’s Movements and Activism Units: 3
WMNST 560 - Women in Muslim Societies Units: 3
WMNST 570 - Gender, War, and Peace Units: 3
WMNST 580 - Women, Development, and the Global Economy Units: 3
WMNST 581 - Women’s Experiences of Migration Units: 3
WMNST 605 - Seminar: Women and Social Policy Units: 3
WMNST 607 - Seminar: Privilege and Oppression Units: 3
WMNST 609 - Seminar: Transnational Issues and Gender Units: 3
WMNST 611 - Seminar: Gender and Diaspora Units: 3