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.

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.