BA in Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies
GWSS students are quintessential students of the liberal arts. Our majors are prepared to live and think in a complex world: intellectually curious, impatient with absolutes, and comfortable with ambiguity. They are independent, engaged thinkers and doers with a wide range of academic and social interests.
We offer undergraduates opportunities to ask critical questions, reimagine society, and be leaders and change agents in the world. Our courses teach students that research, education, and social change are linked; we emphasize the importance of engaging in direct, transformative work and action within and beyond the classroom.
Student Goals
We are committed to an inclusive study of gender and sexuality that is deeply engaged with the lives, issues, and concerns of diverse local and global communities. Not only do we study the world, we transform it. Our students will:
- Exhibit a wide and nuanced understanding of the variety of issues, approaches, and methods used in the interdisciplinary study of gender, women, and sexuality studies.
- Learn to identify and examine gender and sexuality as critical sites for understanding the social, economic, political, and legal deployments of power operating in local, national, and global contexts.
- Develop the critical, analytical, and interdisciplinary skills to enhance their research, writing, and creative talents.
- Examine historical and contemporary representations and experiences of gender, sexuality, and masculinity and femininity through their intersections with race, class, ethnicity, religion, nationality, age, disability, geography, and other differences.
- Understand the value of their participation in the practical application of gender, women, and sexuality studies to social justice issues in their communities and the globalizing world. They will work to create and contribute to social change.
Senior Project
Our majors are required to complete a senior capstone project as part of their undergraduate studies. Download the GWSS Senior Project FAQ.
Career Paths
All liberal arts degrees help CLA students develop their Core Career Competencies, and gender, women & sexuality studies majors develop specific skills that are applicable to lots of different careers. These skills include a strong ability to engage diversity, analytical & critical thinking, and ethical reasoning & decision making.
Students who take the SuperStrong Interest Inventory receive a three-letter interest code, which identifies their top three areas of interest, work activities, potential skills, and personal values. The interest code "IES" is often associated with this major, however, the SuperStrong assessment can help you understand how your interests connect to a variety of majors and career options. You can learn more about common employer types and occupations associated with this major. You can also see CLA specific examples of alumni careers below.
Internship & Job Search Websites
- Handshake
- Feminist Majority Foundation’s Career Site
- National Women’s Studies Association Employment
- Global List of Women’s Organizations (by country, and by state, in the U.S.)
- National Organization for Women
- Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
- Idealist (Nonprofit positions in the US and internationally)
- USA Jobs
- Public Service Careers (Check out “Why Public Service?”)
- National Center of Domestic and Sexual Violence job board
- Public Health Job Board
- American Alliance of Museums job board
- Job search sites from Education Minnesota
Student Groups
Professional Organizations
Alumni Career Examples
Below is a small sampling of what alumni with this major have pursued, organized by the most common career fields they go into (although keep in mind that there are alumni in all eight of the career fields). You can also utilize the LinkedIn's Alumni Tool and the Maroon and Gold Network to further explore alumni career pathways and connect directly with professionals.
Click to expand each accordion panel below for opportunities pursued by alumni in this major!
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Entry-Level
- Mental Health Worker - St. David's Center
- Clinic Assistant - Planned Parenthood
- Education and Outreach Assistant - Planned Parenthood
Experienced
- Mental Health Practitioner/Care Manager*
- Pediatric Occupational Therapist - Triumph Therapy Services*
- Mental Health Worker - Hennepin County Medical Center
- Mental Health Counselor - Touchstone Mental Health*
- Mental Health Coordinator - Tasks Unlimited*
- Outpatient Clinician - Volunteers of America of Minnesota*
Graduate Programs
- Masters in Occupational Therapy - University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
- Masters in Public Health and Social Work - University of Minnesota
- Masters of Public Health - University of Minnesota
- Masters of Public Health - University of Minnesota
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Undergraduate Intern - University of Minnesota GLBTA Programs Office
- Special Library Intern - Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota
- Lead Advisor and Mentor, SHE at St. Paul Central High School
- Teaching Aide, 10,000 Stories
- Violence Prevention Educator, Aurora Center (UMN)
Entry-Level
- Lead Program Counselor - Sur la Rue
- Admissions Assistant and Administrative Assistant - University of Minnesota School of Social Work
Experienced
- Emerging Technologies Librarian and Liaison to the College of Health Professions - Towson University*
- Adjunct Associate Professor - University of Minnesota*
- Health Educator and Program Coordinator - Brooklyn Center High School
- Promise Fellow - Laura Jeffrey Academy
- Public Health Library Liaison - University of Minnesota*
- Director of Education and Training - North American Students of Cooperation
- Assistant University Librarian for Access and Outreach Services - Towson University*
Graduate Programs
- MA, Library Sciences - University of Wisconsin Madison
- Masters of Library and Information Sciences - St. Catherine University
- Masters of Library and Information Sciences - Dominican University
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Entry-Level
- Project Assistant - Collaborative Coffees
- General Manager - Gingko Coffeehouse
- Office Administrator - Lieberman Nelson
- Recruiter and Executive Assistant - Above and Beyond LLC
Experienced
- Project Manager/Business Analyst - Aisle Savvy
- CEO - On top of the Box*
- Employment Consultant - Kaposia, Inc.
- Organizing Director - PANA
- Executive Assistant - Olson
- Guest Experience and Product Integration Lead - Target
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Intern - Minnesota Women's Press
Entry-Level
- Researcher - Media Matters for America
- Media Analyst - American Bridge 21st Century
- Editorial Assistant - Center for Sami Studies
- Public Information Specialist - Minnesota Department of Public Safety
- Communications Project Consultant - Minnesota e-health initiative
- Web Communications Specialist - Thomson Reuters
Experienced
- Author/Marketing Representative - Authors Publisher
- Senior Digital Project Manager - Star Tribune
- Marketing Coordinator - DR Horton
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Intern - Minnesota House of Representatives
Entry-Level
- Law Clerk - Minnesota Justice Foundation
- Local Outreach Coordinator - Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Experienced
- Press Secretary - U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND)
- Discrimination Case Manager - Minnesota Department of Transportation
- African American/African Born Community Liaison - Minnesota Department of Health
- Health Care Policy Specialist - Minnesota Department of Human Services
Graduate Programs
- JD - University of Minnesota Law School
- JD - Hamline University
- Juris Doctor - University of Wisconsin Law School
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Program Evaluation Intern - Kindred Kitchen
- Summer Intern, Everyday Miracles
- Outreach and Advocacy Intern - Midwest Health Center for Women
- Intern - Office on the Economic Status on Women
- Intern - Minnesota Aids Project
- Graduate Intern - Jewish Family Services
- Undergraduate Intern - Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly
- Undergraduate Intern - Division of Indian Work
- Social Work Intern - FAIR School Downtown
- Project Programs Intern, Womankind Worldwide
Entry-Level
- Affordable Housing Specialist - Project for Pride in Living
- Community Engagement Specialist - AmeriCorps VISTA
- Tutor Coordinator - Americorps
- Volunteer Services Specialist - Girl Scouts of Minnesota
- Youth and Women's Advocate - St. Anne's Place
- Human Services Representative - Hennepin County
- Housing Program Assistant - The Link Minnesota
- Development Assistant - Alzheimer's Association
Experienced
- Bilingual Prevention Education Coordinator - Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico
- Arts & Adult Program Manager - Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota
- Member Services Manager - CFA Society Minnesota
- Program Manager - Greater Twin Cities United Way
- Administrative Coordinator - ACLU
- Staff Counsel - Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
- Employment/Community Specialist - Kaposia, Inc
Graduate Programs
- MA, Cultural Studies - University of Sydney
- Masters of Social Work - University of Minnesota
- Masters of Social Work - University of Minnesota
- Masters of Social Work - University of Minnesota
- MA, Public Policy, Economic Community Development, and Public & Nonprofit Management - University of Minnesota
- MA, Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management - Hamline University