Women’s and Gender Studies, M.A. (Accelerated Master’s)

Mission Statement

The accelerated master’s program in women’s and gender studies is designed to reflect and enhance the core values of The University of Tulsa: excellence in scholarship, dedication to free inquiry, integrity of character, and commitment to humanity. The women’s and gender studies graduate program educates individuals of diverse backgrounds and cultures to achieve a high degree of literacy in the humanities and social sciences; to think critically, and to communicate effectively. Students are given the tools to succeed in their professions and careers, while being trained; to learn and practice ethical behavior in their lives; to take on responsibility for service and citizenship in this changing world; and to develop an interest in and the abilities needed for lifelong learning.

Learning Objectives

• Develop an understanding of how genders and sexualities - including their diversity and intersectionality - affect the politics and ethics of individuals and societies.

• Demonstrate an understanding of women’s lives in a global context, including histories of feminist, women’s, and sexuality movements, and the ethics behind these movements.

• Use feminist, gender, and sexuality theory for graduate-level analysis of diverse texts, communication, and discussion

• Demonstrate the ability to think critically, engage in constructive discussion, and communicate clearly and effectively at a graduate level.

• Attain skills and experiences of benefit to a range of professional and volunteer positions.

Admission

Applicants must satisfy the general admission requirements of the Graduate School, be approved by the Graduate School and the women’s and gender studies admissions committee, and satisfy the following requirements:

• A TU undergraduate G.P.A. of 3.7 or higher in their major and a 3.3 or higher cumulative G.P.A;
• Three letters of recommendation offering better-than-average or sterling recommendations;
• SAT scores in the 80 percentile or above;
• General GRE scores; and
• A writing sample.

Curriculum Requirements

The degree program aims for flexibility in the student’s curriculum. Only students majoring in women’s and gender studies at the undergraduate level at The University of Tulsa will be admitted to the accelerated master’s program. Once students in the accelerated master’s program have completed their requirements for the B.A. degree, the graduate program advisor will serve as their advisor, with the research supervisor supplementing this role in the spring semester upon mutual agreement between the faculty member and student. Course enrollments will be approved by the graduate program advisor.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of graduate coursework for the M.A. degree. Up to 9 credits of 5000-level courses may be taken before completion of the bachelor’s degree program and double counted toward the WGS B.A. and WGS accelerated M.A. degrees. The undergraduate student may also take six credits at the 6000 or 7000 level under special student status within the Graduate School, but this coursework will only be applied to the M.A. degree program. Enrollment in these courses may not occur until the student is a junior or senior. Upon completion of the B.A. degree, the student will then have approximately one additional year of enrollment in the core curriculum and any remaining credits for elective coursework to complete the M.A. degree requirements.

A 3.0 grade point average is required of all students in the Graduate School. No graduate credit is given for a course in which a grade lower than C has been received.