The graduate program in Women's and Gender Studies at Stony Brook creates a space within the academy for critical thinking across disciplines about the explanatory categories of gender, race, class, sexuality, nation, and disability. Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies explores how these categories come into being and operate across different cultures and historical periods, and how they shape social, political, economic and institutional organizations as well as personal experience and perception.
The MA program was introduced in 2014 along with a PhD program. In its first three years of existence, all MA candidates successfully completed the requirements and graduated within two years. After finishing the program, Laura Abbasi-Lemmon (MA, 2016) began a PhD program in Women's Studies at the University of Maryland, while Emily Whearty (MA, 2017) continued her work in the non-profit sector as a precinct advocate at L.I. Against Domestic Violence. Joie Meier (MA, 2018) was accepted into the PhD program in Gender Studies at Indiana University Bloomington.
The program is particularly strong in four key areas: transnational social movements and globalization; the politices of representation and media analysis; gender and health; and the critical analysis of seuality. Along with the core faculty in WGSS, the graduate program programs draw from an extensive network of Graduate Faculty from across Stony Brook University. Including in the social and behavioral sciences, humanities, and health sciences.
M.A. REQUIREMENTS
Below is an overview of the requirements for the M.A. in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) at Stony Brook. These requirements are in addition to the Graduate School’s minimum standards. For more detailed information, please consult the 2024–2025 WGSS Graduate Student Handbook.
1. Overview
Total Credits Required: 30 credits (10 graduate-level classes)
Core Courses: 9 credits (3 classes)
WGSS Electives: 6 credits (2 classes)
Additional Electives: 15 credits (5 classes)
Foreign Language Requirement: Optional
Thesis Proposal
Final Thesis Project
2. Graduate Coursework
You must complete 30 credits of graduate coursework, which typically equals 10 classes. This includes:
Three (3) Core Courses (9 credits)
Seven (7) Elective Courses (21 credits)
Recommended First-Year Schedule
Fall: WST 601
Spring: WST 600 and WST 698
These core courses cannot be replaced by Independent Study or Directed Reading credits unless you petition the Graduate Program Director. Such petitions require the instructor’s signature and approval by the Graduate Studies Committee.
3. Core Courses
WST 600: Feminist Interdisciplinary Histories and Methods (offered every Spring)
WST 601: Feminist Theories (offered every Fall)
WST 698: Practicing WGSS / Teaching Practicum (offered every Spring)
All three of these required classes must be taken in the semesters in which they are offered.
4. Elective Coursework
In addition to the core courses above, you must complete 7 elective classes (21 credits). These electives are divided into:
WGSS Electives (2 classes = 6 credits)
Additional Electives (5 classes = 15 credits)
4.1 WGSS Electives
Two of your elective classes must be designated WGSS courses at the 500- or 600-level. Options include:
WST 610: Advanced Topics in WGSS
Varies by semester (topic/instructor).
You may retake this course if each iteration covers a different topic.
Repetition of WST 600 or WST 601
Because these seminars are taught by different instructors each year (with significantly different content), you may fulfill one WGSS elective by retaking WST 600 or WST 601 with a different instructor.
WGSS-Approved Graduate Courses
You may request approval to use gender- or sexuality-themed classes from other departments toward your 2-course WGSS Elective requirement.
Send the course information to the Graduate Program Director for review; final approval rests with the Graduate Studies Committee.
4.2 Additional Electives
Beyond your 2 WGSS electives, you must complete 5 more graduate-level courses (500- or 600-level) in any department at Stony Brook. Keep in mind:
You may count one WGSS Independent Study (WST 599) among these 5 electives.
You may also use up to 6 credits of WGSS Thesis Research (WST 598) here, typically after you have finished most coursework.
Independent Study (WST 599) can be a great way to begin researching your thesis topic or developing your thesis proposal.
5. Additional Requirements
A. Foreign Language Requirement (Optional)
While the WGSS program does not require a foreign language, students whose research requires language proficiency should discuss this with the Graduate Program Director.
B. Thesis Proposal
All M.A. candidates must prepare a Thesis Proposal under the guidance of their Primary Advisor. This proposal should outline the scope, methodology, and objectives of the project.
C. Final Thesis Project
A Final Thesis is required for the M.A. in WGSS. Students normally conduct original research under faculty supervision, culminating in a written thesis that aligns with the approved proposal.
For additional details on any of these requirements,
please see the 2024–2025 WGSS Graduate Student Handbook.
Have Questions?
Director of Graduate Studies
Email: ritchie.calvin@stonybrook.edu
Course approvals & substitutions, program specific transfer credit evaluation, clarification on course and program content, research, and similar academically related questions.
Academic Program Coordinator
Charles Edwards
Email: charles.j.edwards@stonybrook.edu
Enrollment, graduation, general administrative questions.