Agreements
Our program is part of a larger collaborative with Augsburg University, Hamline University and St. Catherine University.
Bachelor of Arts in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
We all have gender. Women, gender, and sexuality studies at the University St. Thomas analyzes the social forces and assumptions shaping the lives of women, as well as gender and sexual minorities. You will learn about the contributions of people who have not always been recognized, and you will understand how gender influences all of our experiences.
Why Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at St. Thomas?
Our program is interdisciplinary, meaning it pulls knowledge from a variety of fields. You will analyze gender from the perspectives of literature, history, biology and more, and you will also examine what empowers women and people in gender and sexual minorities. You will learn to question privilege and personal identity, ultimately focusing on the dignity of every human being.
Well-Versed with Practical Knowledge and Skills
Course Requirements
Throughout your time at St. Thomas, you complete ten courses focusing on a variety of topics including feminist theory, and you will work on your own research guided by a professor. You will also have the opportunity to pursue an internship in an organization that empowers women or works with gender and sexual minorities.
Four-Year Plan
We recommend connecting with a faculty member to put together a four-year plan that matches your interests and professional goals.
Degrees Awarded
- Bachelor of Arts in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Unique Learning Experiences
Several courses provide opportunities to work outside of the classroom with at-risk members of the community. We have worked on a Fighting Fistulas campaign and have helped at a domestic violence shelter in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Scholarships
The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies scholarship is worth $2,000 and is sponsored by the Luann Dummer Center for Women. To apply, students who have declared a major or minor in women’s studies to submit a project addressing a topic related to gender or sexuality.
Course Requirements
Course Requirements
Throughout your time at St. Thomas, you complete ten courses focusing on a variety of topics including feminist theory, and you will work on your own research guided by a professor. You will also have the opportunity to pursue an internship in an organization that empowers women or works with gender and sexual minorities.
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
We recommend connecting with a faculty member to put together a four-year plan that matches your interests and professional goals.
Degrees Awarded
Degrees Awarded
- Bachelor of Arts in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Unique Learning Experiences
Unique Learning Experiences
Several courses provide opportunities to work outside of the classroom with at-risk members of the community. We have worked on a Fighting Fistulas campaign and have helped at a domestic violence shelter in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Scholarships
Scholarships
The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies scholarship is worth $2,000 and is sponsored by the Luann Dummer Center for Women. To apply, students who have declared a major or minor in women’s studies to submit a project addressing a topic related to gender or sexuality.
Versatile Coursework. Practical Knowledge and Skills.
Not only do our faculty have years of experience and knowledge, but our students and alumni apply what they learn in practical ways every day.
Dr. Roxanne Prichard
Dr. Prichard and St. Thomas alumna Amanda Goddin presented research on sleep in sexual minority college women at the National Institutes of Health’s Women and Sleep conference in October 2018. The conference highlights advances in the understanding of health risks and treatment options for women with sleep deficiency and sleep disorders.
Yastril Nanez ‘17
Yastril has worked as a Domestic Violence and Legal Advocate for Hennepin county in the Twin Cities. Her goal is to empower victims so they know they have options whenever they decide it is time to leave an abuser. She believes she is in an optimal position to guide victims to safety with her knowledge and preparation from the women, gender, and sexuality studies program.
Hazel Erickson
Hazel is a Dease scholar, a triple major and an advocate for electing women to political office. She interned with U.S. representative Betty McCollum and has worked with Women Winning, an organization dedicated to electing women to public office. She credits women, gender, and sexuality studies for giving her the ability to recognize and address women’s issues in the political realm. She took part in Semester at Sea, investigating how cultures around the world understand and live their expectations of gender.
Career Paths
We give you the tools and knowledge you need to work in a variety of different careers after graduation.
- Attorney
- Social worker
- Trauma counselor
- Project manager
- Communication consultant
- Political assistant
Exploring the Big Issues
We provide opportunities for you to explore contemporary issues affecting the world and society around us every day.
Fascinating Courses
The collaborative for the women, gender, and sexuality studies program offers over 80 courses in a variety of disciplines.
Cross Discipline
Several schools and colleges at St. Thomas offer courses in women, gender, and sexuality studies.
A Wide Range of Interests
Dr. Angela High-Pippert
Dr. High-Pippert teaches about women and politics and is currently researching “feminist troublemaker” Shirley Chisholm.
Dr. Elizabeth Wilkinson
Dr. Wilkinson teaches courses on women in literature and sports, as well as a course on native women.
Dr. Paola Ehrmantraut
A professor of Spanish, Dr. Ehrmantraut conducts research on cultural representations of masculinity in the media.
Become a Well-Rounded Professional
Our faculty represent a wide array of interests, which means they will prepare you for what comes after St. Thomas by nurturing different skills throughout your undergraduate career.
Faculty research topics like Victorian representations of gender, environmental effects on women’s self-esteem and representations of women and gender minorities in photography.
No matter how you want to get involved at St. Thomas, you will find something to interest you in our program.
You have opportunities to participate in internships and workshops on how to speak to employers about your knowledge and skills.
Pursuing Your Passion
You have access to a wide array of opportunities ranging from study abroad to faculty mentorship.
Meet Feminist Icons
We send students to the National Women’s Studies Association annual meeting each year, where they meet icons in feminist thought, attend presentations on scholarship in the field, and meet others with similar passions.
Present Your Findings
Women, gender, and sexuality students in the area participate in an annual conference every spring. They present research, meet fellow students and deepen their knowledge with new ideas.
Meet Passionate Peers
You will make lasting friendships with other students who share similar passions as you.
Address Real Issues
Women, Medicine, and Biology is the most popular course in our curriculum. It examines women’s health and wellness and discusses women’s social positions and their effect on women’s global health.
How Gender Influences Everything
Women, gender, and sexuality studies students at St. Thomas gain a unique perspective on society through their examination of how social forces shape the lives of women, as well as gender and sexual minorities. They graduate as compassionate citizens, and also as versatile professionals because of their practical skills.
Take the Next Step
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.