The PhD in Gender and Women's Studies provides advanced training in feminist gender analysis for students from a variety of academic backgrounds and career plans. The degree engages the multidisciplinary perspectives associated with gender studies and women's studies: queer studies, transgender studies, sexuality studies, race and ethnicity studies, disability studies, area and global studies, cultural studies, and postcolonial and transnational studies.
This interdisciplinary program is supported by the active engagement of 20 faculty members (and another dozen faculty affiliates). The program of study connects to "traditional" disciplinary study, and encourage students to:
- engage with wide-ranging and multi-disciplinary feminist theory and research;
- explore research on gender around the globe and how gender intersects with local and national identities, as well as how gender intersects with other social categories such as race/ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, class, caste, and religion;
- develop expertise in a disciplinary or interdisciplinary concentration outside Gender and Women’s Studies; and
- engage with a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary methods including, for example, fieldwork, ethnography, critical analysis, and archival, statistical, experimental, and meta-analytic methods.
The PhD curriculum in Gender and Women's Studies draws from the strengths of course offerings in the department, as well as from methods and course offerings in other fields and departments. Some courses investigate these topics at the global level whereas others focus on the local, regional or national levels. The curriculum ensures an overarching transnational and cross-cultural framework.
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
| Fall Deadline | December 1 |
| Spring Deadline | The program does not admit in the spring. |
| Summer Deadline | The program does not admit in the summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Every applicant whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English must provide an English proficiency test score and meet the Graduate School minimum requirements (https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/#english-proficiency). |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
The following materials are required to be submitted:
- One (1) copy of official transcripts or academic records from each institution attended. International academic records must be in the original language and accompanied by an official English translation. An unofficial transcript is acceptable for the application process; an official transcript is required if the student is accepted.
- TOEFL or IELTS score for international students whose first language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation. At least two of the letters should come from academic sources. These letters may be submitted online. Please see the Graduate School’s web link for instructions.
- Statement of reasons why you wish to pursue the PhD Degree in Gender and Women’s Studies (2–3 pages). In their personal statements, applicants should explicitly articulate their academic interests and goals, describe how a PhD in Gender and Women's Studies complements those intellectual goals, and explain how the faculty and the program at UW–Madison are especially well matched with the applicant's interests.
- Curriculum vitae.
- Writing sample (10-20 pages, no more than 25 pages).
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Mode of Instruction
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 51 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 32 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | A minimum of 26 credits out of 51 total must be in graduate-level coursework. Details can be found in the Graduate School's policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244 |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. |
| Other Grade Requirements | n/a |
| Assessments and Examinations | Doctoral students must successfully pass a written preliminary examination by the end of Fall semester of their fourth year in the program. Upon passing the preliminary exam, the student advances to dissertator status. Doctoral students must submit a written dissertation proposal and defend the proposal at a meeting of their four-person faculty dissertation committee by the end of Fall semester of their fifth year in the program. Membership on the committee follows Graduate School rules. https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1201 |
| Language Requirements | n/a |
| Breadth Requirements | All doctoral students are required to complete a doctoral minor or Graduate/Professional certificate. |
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEN&WS 800 | Research Methods in Gender & Women's Studies | 3 |
| GEN&WS 810 | Gender and Women's Studies: The Emergence and Transformation of a Field | 3 |
| GEN&WS 830 | Contemporary Theorizing in Gender and Women's Studies | 3 |
| GEN&WS 840 | Pedagogy in Gender and Women's Studies | 3 |
| GEN&WS 860 | Proseminar in Gender and Women's Studies | 1 |
| Advanced Electives - All students must complete 3 elective courses from the list below. | 9 | |
| Sociological Perspectives on Gender | ||
| Anthropology of Gender | ||
| Psychology of Women and Gender | ||
| Feminist Political Theory | ||
| History of Sexuality | ||
| Research and Dissertation - Minimum of 6 credits | 6 | |
| Research & Thesis | ||
| Additional Credits - Students will complete this requirement in additional GEN&WS or other approved coursework. | 8 | |
| Breadth Requirement/Concentration - Students are required to meet the Graduate School requirement for breadth. This includes completing a doctoral minor or Graduate/Professional certificate. Most breadth requirements are not 15 credits (this program’s requirement for breadth/concentration), and therefore, students will likely need to complete coursework in addition to the doctoral minor or Graduate/Professional certificate. Students are required to submit a written plan for the 15-credit concentration, which includes the breadth requirement, and have it approved by their three-person faculty committee by the end of the Fall semester of their second year in the program. The concentration can be in a discipline or in an interdisciplinary topic. At least 50% of the credits for the concentration must numbered 700 or above. | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 51 | |
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Major-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Work from Other Institutions
This program follows the Graduate School's policy for Satisfying Requirements with Prior Graduate Coursework from Other Institutions.
UW-Madison Undergraduate
This program follows the Graduate School's policy for Satisfying Requirements with Coursework from Undergraduate Career at UW–Madison.
UW-Madison University Special
This program follows the Graduate School's policy for Transfer from UW–Madison University Special Student Career at UW–Madison.
Probation
This program follows the Graduate School's Probation policy.
Advisor/Committee
The student will be paired with a faculty advisor when they enter the program, based on the area of interest they indicate in their application for admission. The student may later change their advisor. By the beginning of the second semester of their first year, the student must form a three-person faculty advisory committee consisting of the advisor and two other faculty members.
Credits Per Term Allowed
15 credits
Time LIMITS
This program follows the Graduate School's Time Limits policy.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Dean of Students Office (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
Students should contact the department chair or program director with questions about grievances. They may also contact the L&S Academic Divisional Associate Deans, the L&S Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning Administration, or the L&S Director of Human Resources.
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of major theories, methods, and scholarship in gender and women’s studies.
- Develop significant research questions that will advance the contributions of GWS scholarship to society; create individualized research programs that match their specific interests and goals, and that harness the tools from their concentration.
- Acquire the analytical tools to apply gender and women’s studies in a range of academic and non-academic careers.
- Demonstrate ethical and professional conduct in research and teaching and with colleagues.