WGSS Graduate Admissions FAQ

• What are the unique strengths of the Stony Brook WGSS PhD program?

  Students benefit from mentorship by WGSS’s internationally and nationally renowned core faculty and an interdisciplinary network of affiliated faculty across the social sciences, humanities, and health sciences. The WGSS PhD program stands out for its dedication to supporting the intellectual and professional growth of feminist scholar-activists. Our core values of accountability, anti-racism, care, justice, and solidarity shape our scholarship, teaching, and service. 

  Students in our program also receive extraordinary pedagogical training. In addition to Teaching Assistantships, all PhD students are required to take WST 698: Practicing WGSS/Teaching Practicum and to acquire at least one semester of formal teaching experience. However, most of our students teach their own courses for more than one term. We firmly believe that one of the best ways to learn to teach is by doing – by gaining experience in instructional design, classroom management, and assessment techniques.

  WGSS PhD students also benefit from the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium (IUDC), which offers students in the arts and sciences the opportunity to take graduate courses at distinguished universities throughout the greater New York area, including Columbia, CUNY, Fordham, New School, NYU, Princeton, Rutgers, and Teacher’s College of Columbia.
• What are the department's areas of specialization?

  The Stony Brook WGSS program is particularly strong in the following areas: Black & Women of Color Feminisms; Critical Disability Studies; Feminist Media Studies; Political Thought, Social Justice & Policy; Race & Ethnic Studies; Queer & Trans Studies; and Transnational Feminisms.

• What professions do Stony Brook WGSS PhD graduates pursue?

  Stony Brook WGSS PhD Graduates have gone on to accept positions at teaching-centered colleges and research universities, as well as in other professions outside the academy, including UX research firms, policy institutes, and community-based and non-governmental organizations. For a profile of recent PhD graduates, see our Recent PhD Graduate Spotlight.

• What financial support is available to accepted PhD students?

  Currently, students accepted into the PhD program receive four years of funding, including a Teaching Assistantship that provides a $26,000 stipend. This sum is subject to state and federal income taxes. For information about health insurance costs and other enrollment fees, please see this informational page. For more information for international students, please visit this link.We also recommend that prospective students research the cost of living in New York, specifically in Suffolk County, Long Island, where Stony Brook is located, as well as in New York City. 

• What other forms of financial support are available to PhD students?

  Upon application, eligible students can apply for a Turner Fellowship, which provides an additional year of funding. However, this program requires students to be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status in the United States. If accepted to the program, enrolled students can also be nominated by the department for a Graduate Council Fellowship. PhD students who have advanced to ABD status and have completed all coursework and the comprehensive exams may also be nominated by the faculty for numerous awards offered by the Graduate School.The WGSS department has two internal awards, the Hartog Graduate Student Teaching Award and Travel Awards. There are also smaller awards for travel and other professional development activities through the Graduate Student Organization.

• Where can I find detailed information on course requirements, comprehensive exams, and other milestones required for the PhD degree?
  Our webpage is an excellent resource forgeneral information  about our program. On this page, you will find a link to our graduate handbook, which provides detailed information about our program structure, requirements, and admissions procedures.
• Do you need a Master's degree or prior Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies coursework to apply?
  No, students with a BA in WGSS or a related field are welcome to apply. Having previously taken WGSS-related courses is essential. Students with a BA in an unrelated field are encouraged to briefly explain their aptitude for study in WGSS in their personal statement.
• If I currently hold a Bachelor’s degree, can I earn an MA as part of my PhD coursework?
  No. We do not offer an MA degree as part of the PhD program.
• Does the department require GRE scores?
  Stony Brook University does not require the GRE for any of our graduate programs.
• Does the department offer an application fee waiver?
  No. Graduate admissions controls application fee waivers. For more information on the eligibility criteria for fee waivers, please refer to  the FAQ section on the Graduate School website. Unfortunately, international students are ineligible.
• I am an international student. Are there specific things I should keep in mind?
  Yes, the admissions process for international students has additional requirements. For detailed information regarding procedures for international students, please visit the Graduate School’s information page for international students.
• Do I have to take the TOEFL/IELTS exams for entry?

  All students who are not native or primary English speakers must demonstrate proficiency in English to be admitted to the Graduate School and must submit iBT scores. For more information, please visit the Graduate Admissions Page. 

  The academic departments do not review TOEFL scores as part of the admissions process. These scores are evaluated directly by the Stony Brook University Graduate School. For details on their process, please contact gradadmissions@stonybrook.edu.

• Does the department have a language requirement?
  No. The WGSS PhD program does not require students to demonstrate proficiency in another language. However, students who plan to undertake research that involves proficiency in a language other than English or their native language will need to work with their advisor to ensure they are prepared.
• What are the specific application requirements and the application deadline?
  Please refer to the Graduate School’s admissions criteria and application checklist  for guidance on your application. In addition to the personal statement, letters of recommendation, and transcripts, you will also need to submit a 15-20 page writing sample. Our application deadline is December 1st. Please see below for specific advice on preparing your application.
• What advice do you have for preparing my application?
  Your statement of purpose must make clear what your research interests are, who in the department you’d like to work with, and concisely describe any specific ideas you have about your dissertation and professional goals. Given that, if accepted, your initial committee consists of three people, we suggest visiting our current faculty page, considering our profiles and research, identifying which three faculty members you share common intellectual interests with, and who you might like to work with as a mentor. We also suggest discussing with your letter writers the importance of their writing with specificity about your past work and your aptitude for success in a WGSS PhD program. Also, when selecting a writing sample, consider both the quality of the writing and its themes. Submitting writing that showcases both your writing skills and your grounding in WGSS is ideal, if possible.
• How many students does the department typically admit?
  The WGSS department is small and typically recruits three new PhD students every year.
• How does the department decide who to admit?
  The department conducts holistic admissions. Please note that in some PhD programs, faculty can select candidates with whom they wish to work. However, at SB WGSS, the core faculty collectively review program applications. The core faculty all assess applicants’ readiness for doctoral work in WGSS, alignment with the program focus and values, and the clarity of their academic and professional plan, as evidenced and supported by all the components of the application (letters of recommendation; personal statement; transcripts, coursework and grades; and writing sample).
• Can I meet with a faculty member in the department before applying to the Ph.D. program?
  Due to the high volume of inquiries the WGSS graduate program at Stony Brook University receives, we are unable to accommodate individual consultations between prospective students and faculty. However, you are welcome to send an introductory email to the faculty you are interested in working with to inquire about their current availability to mentor new students.