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Women's and Gender Studies

Engage how ideas about gender and sexuality have continuously shaped, and been shaped by, culture, society, politics, history, and media.

Program Snapshot

Degree Type

Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts

Program Type

Major, Minor

Credit Hours

124

Time to complete

4 Years

Campus

Salem

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Department Info
Three women seated indoors, with one in the foreground holding a pen and notebook.

Our Women's and Gender Studies Major & Minor

Our interdisciplinary Women’s and Gender Studies program prepares students to critically analyze the dynamic intersection of gender and sexuality with race, class, and power.

Why choose Women's and Gender Studies at Willamette?

  • Take an interdisciplinary approach. Explore gender through various lenses such as sociology, literature, history, psychology, and popular culture. Embrace a liberal arts education to broaden your knowledge and views.
  • Pursue impactful internships. Our location near the State Capitol offers students the chance to advocate for change and gain hands-on experience. Students can earn credits for internships and build their resume at the same time.
  • Engage in meaningful discourse. Our small class sizes foster a sense of community. Students can engage in in-depth talks about timely topics and learn from discussions with professors and peers. 

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Do you have questions about the Women's and Gender Studies program at Willamette? Fill out this form and we'll get in touch!

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Alumni Stories

Our alumni are making an impact on the lives of people in their community and around the world. They’ve applied their skills and knowledge to a variety of fields. From social work and journalism to advocacy, graduates of our program are building a better future.

  • Risa Cromer '04

    Risa Cromer '04 earned the prestigious Charlotte W. Newcombe Fellowship
    Cromer won the fellowship for her dissertation on ethical dilemmas of frozen embryos. This recognition supports her final year at CUNY with a $25,000 stipend and reflects her dedication to reproductive justice and health care research.

    Close-up portrait of a person with shoulder-length dark brown hair and green eyes, smiling gently.

Introducing Some of Our Faculty

Our women’s and gender studies professors are preparing the next generation to be activists and thinkers. They are advocates and engage with discourse surrounding issues of gender. Under their mentorship, you will push modern conversations forward through meaningful research and community involvement.

  • Meet Professor Dunlap

    Dr. Leslie Dunlap holds a B.A. in American Studies from Carleton College and a Ph.D. in History from Northwestern University. She teaches courses on U.S. women's and gender history, race and reproductive justice, and biographical approaches to history.

    Headshot of Dr. Leslie Dunlap

  • Meet Professor Parker Brooks

    Dr. Maegan Parker Brooks specializes in public humanities research, focusing on how people communicate about challenging topics. Her commitment to her students is evident in and out of the classroom as she facilitates peer support conversations on campus and in the community.

    Headshot of Dr. Maegan Parker Brooks

Curriculum

Our women and gender studies program relates to a variety of subjects. Examine feminist theory, depictions of women in media, and the effect of gender inequalities on social institutions and private lives. In your women and gender studies courses, you will consider ideas and roles of women from the United States and around the globe.

  • WGS 353W Feminist Theory

    Examine the way gendered discourse shapes social reality. Explore the intersections of gender with other dimensions of social identity and power such as race, class, gender, sexuality, nation, and ethnicity. Learn about issues through a variety of lenses including liberalism, socialism, psychoanalysis, radical feminism, and postmodernism.

  • WGS 245 Feminism, Gender, and Society

    Explore the ways that gender inequality structures aspects of personal lives and social institutions. Examine a variety of feminist perspectives on work, family, sexuality, and culture and consider the role of class, race, and ethnicity in feminist thought.

Program Requirements

Our Women's and Gender Studies program requires 36 semester hours to complete the major, with a total of 124 credit hours required to complete the degree.

Students pursuing a Women's and Gender Studies minor will need to complete 20 semester hours to complete the minor.

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Admissions Information

Our Women's and Gender Studies program is open to first-year students, transfer students and international students. Learn more about Willamette’s undergraduate admissions process to get started.

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

Willamette University is dedicated to supporting WGS majors with generous merit scholarships and financial aid. No additional application is required for consideration. All admitted undergraduate applicants are automatically evaluated for merit-based scholarships, starting at $28,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, considering cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if available.

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FAQs

Women and gender studies is an interdisciplinary studies program. It is built on the intersection between fields such as race and gender. Students examine feminist and queer theories, and consider the way ideas have and will continue to evolve over time. Programs typically discuss gender and sexuality studies, the evolution of American women in society, and even women in the arts.

It uses various approaches to the study of social, cultural, and political issues related to gender. Many programs also go beyond theory and partake in activism and social justice reforms. Undergraduate students will think critically about gender and confront the challenges of moving toward a more equitable world.

A gender studies degree can lead to a variety of career paths, primarily related to gender equality, social justice, advocacy, and research. Some potential jobs include: 

  • Social Worker: Work with marginalized communities, advocate for social justice, and provide support to individuals in need. 
  • Human Rights Advocate: Promote gender equality and advocate for the rights of marginalized groups through organizations or non-profits. 
  • Community Outreach Coordinator: Develop programs and initiatives that address gender issues within communities and promote awareness and education. 
  • Public Policy Analyst: Analyze and influence policies that affect gender issues and advocate for legislative change. 
  • Nonprofit Manager: Oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations focused on gender equality, managing programs, fundraising, and outreach efforts. 
  • Diversity Officer: Work within businesses to promote diversity and inclusion, including policies and practices that address gender equity. 
  • Educator or Academic Researcher: Teach and research topics related to gender studies in college. 
  • Journalist or Writer: Report on gender-related issues for media outlets, write opinion pieces, or contribute to publications focused on social justice. 
  • Health Educator: Educate communities about reproductive health, gender identity, and other health issues related to gender. 
  • Legal Advocate: Work in law firms or advocacy groups that focus on gender discrimination, domestic violence, or LGBTQ+ rights. 

These careers often involve skills such as critical thinking, research, advocacy, and communication. Gender studies provides a solid foundation for a range of fields where understanding gender dynamics is crucial. 

Learn more about what you can do with a women's and gender studies degree.

Yes, you can! The study of gender can supplement any academic field. A women's and gender studies minor can enhance your education and help you develop highly sought-after skills. 

For students interested in fields such as social work, education, public policy, or advocacy, this topic is extremely valuable. Learn how to understand the dynamics of gender and social inequalities.

Absolutely! We offer an opportunity for all students to study abroad, no matter a student's major or minor. Studying abroad can help broaden a student's grasp of women and gender. We encourage students to take classes in another country to expand their knowledge and skills.

We partner with a variety of programs. Explore our options to study women and gender through a different perspective.

Students are encouraged to get involved in one of our many student groups. Apply your skills and knowledge to a current student group, including social, support, and service clubs. You can also start your own group and connect with peers who are passionate about a specific topic.

Willamette University

Women’s and Gender Studies