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Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies Major

Bachelor of Arts in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies  

Explore contemporary gender dynamics, as well as feminist theory and methodology, with the Bachelor of Arts in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies in Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts. Take an intersectional approach to studying ability, class, gender, race and sexuality while examining their impact across cultural, economic, historical and political contexts. This 123-credit undergraduate degree program draws from the breadth and diversity of liberal arts coursework, allowing you to tailor your course of study. 

The Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies Major at Temple is a close-knit community, so you benefit from small class sizes and receive individual attention from professors. Through the curriculum, you’ll learn to 

  • apply different methods of critical analysis to gender, sexual identity and women’s experiences; 
  • attain a heightened sensitivity for marginalized and oppressed groups; and 
  • examine power dynamics.

Interdisciplinary by design, the program comprises more than 60 faculty members from other schools and colleges across the university so you broaden your expertise in national and global gender and sexuality issues. The faculty’s diverse fields of study include history, literary criticism, philosophy and social science, and all are committed to gender- and sexuality-based equity.

Students interested in these topics can explore related minor programs. The 21-credit Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies Minor establishes a foundation of knowledge on key topics surrounding gender, sexuality and race. The 18-credit Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies Minor analyzes sexual orientation through a critical examination of history, literature, sociopolitical issues and theory.

Female students engage in a classroom.

Classes & Curriculum

In addition to university and College of Liberal Arts required courses, the Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies curriculum includes foundational coursework; classes on gender and domestic violence, LGBTQ activism, and the history of sexuality; as well as related literature and theory. 

The culminating academic experience for students in the Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies program is the research seminar course. Collaborate with professors and librarians to build a foundation of research skills, find and evaluate sources, and perform critical reflection and analysis of the subject matter. 

Required courses that you will take as part of the curriculum include 

  • Critical Race Feminist Theory,
  • Feminist Theory and 
  • Foundations in Women's Studies.

Elective courses that you can take as part of the curriculum include 

  • Gender, Race, Class and the City;
  • LGBTQ Social Movements;
  • Men and Masculinities; and
  • Women and Political Violence.

Learn more about the Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies BA curriculum.

4+1 Accelerated Degree Programs

The College of Liberal Arts offers three 4+1 accelerated degree programs for Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies majors. Eligible undergraduate students can use up to 12 specified graduate credits approved by the College of Liberal Arts to fulfill requirements for their undergraduate degree. Students apply for graduate degree programs in their junior year. Students earn a BA or BS degree upon successful completion of their fourth academic year. At the end of their fifth year, students earn a master's degree. Students can apply to one of the following accelerated degree programs. 

  • Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies BA / Sociology MA
  • Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies BA / Adult and Organizational Development MEd
  • Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies BA / Urban Education MEd

Learn more about accelerated programs in the College of Liberal Arts.

Certificate Programs

The College of Liberal Arts has 22 undergraduate certificate programs for you to expand your knowledge and diversify your Temple education. Certificates can complement bachelor's programs, allowing you to specialize in an area and highlight your exposure to disciplines outside of your major.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, the Bachelor of Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

These tuition costs apply to the 2025–2026 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $19,608.00 per year
Out-of-state: $35,232.00 per year

Our Academic Advisors

College of Liberal Arts academic advisors help you navigate your curriculum and potential career paths throughout your time at Temple.

Rujuta Chincholkar-Mandelia is the undergraduate advisor for the Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies BA program.
Phone: 215-204-6953
Email:

Program Contact

For questions regarding the Bachelor of Arts in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, contact the following staff member.

LaTasha Goodman is the administrator.
Email:

The following staff member leads the Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies program.

Tom Waidzunas is the director.
Email:

University Honors Program

The College of Liberal Arts participates in Temple’s Honors Program. Learn more about the program and how to be admitted. 

Students who meet certain academic and extracurricular criteria may become members of the following honor societies. 

  • Alpha Lambda Delta is a national society that honors academic excellence during a student's first year at college.
  • Golden Key is an international society that enables members to realize their potential through the advancement of academics, leadership and service. 
  • Phi Beta Kappa is open to juniors and seniors in the College of Liberal Arts. To qualify for Phi Beta Kappa, a student must maintain a high grade point average in a broad, rigorous program of study in the liberal arts, including mathematics and foreign languages.

Learn more about Temple’s honor societies.

Student Clubs & Organizations

Supplement your College of Liberal Arts coursework and enhance your undergraduate experience at Temple through student clubs and organizations. You’ll have opportunities to meet and network with other students, get involved with the community, grow your interests, and develop résumé-boosting skills and experiences.

The following clubs and organizations are available to Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies BA students.

Learn more about Temple's student clubs and organizations.

Study Away

College of Liberal Arts undergraduate students are encouraged to study away for an academic year, semester or summer. Enrich your experience at Temple by exploring a different culture through the lens of gender and sexuality, and discover issues faced by women, people who identify as nonbinary, and queer communities outside of the United States. 

Become a more globally minded person, and expand an understanding of your studies and yourself while building a better résumé and a worldwide network along the way.

Learn more about your options for studying away.

Accreditation

Temple University’s departments and programs are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Additional Program Information