Women's and Gender Studies, B.A.
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Program Overview
As a major in women’s and gender studies, you will become an informed and engaged citizen. Our interdisciplinary program will help you develop the skills to examine and critique cultural, economic, historical, political, and social issues using feminist and queer philosophical paradigms. You will learn about a cross section of feminist and queer thinkers, develop expertise in methods of critical analysis, and gain a deep understanding of how gender, sexuality, race, class, religion, ethnicity, and other social factors shape access to power.
Major Details
The program information listed here reflects the approved curriculum for the 2026–27 academic year per the Brooklyn College Bulletin. Bulletins from past academic years can be found here.
Major Requirements (30–32 Credits)
NYSED Program Code: 02117
Students must complete the following courses with a grade of C or higher:
- WGST 1001 (3 credits)
- WGST 3510 or 3230 (3 credits)
- WGST 2100 (3 credits)
- WGST 4410W (3 credits)
- Six additional WGST advanced elective courses (18-20 credits)
- Other advanced electives and special topics courses relevant to the study of women may be substituted with the permission of the program coordinator. The list of available courses may be obtained each semester in the program office.
WGST 4401, 4402, 4407, or 4408 may be used to fulfill the requirements in either section 2 or 4.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Explain how diverse identities, cultures, and societies are structured by the intersections of categories including gender, race, sexuality, class, ability, religion, global location, and colonialism past and present.
- Employ written, oral, and/or visual media to effectively communicate concepts and arguments related to gender, women, and sexualities.
- Identify and analyze social and historical relations, hierarchies of power, resistance, and movements relevant to women, gender, and sexualities.
- Work collaboratively with diverse people to design projects that further feminist ideals.
- Use feminism as both a concept and an analytical approach to study women and gender in different historical and cultural contexts.
Degree Maps
To help you pursue your studies in the most efficient manner, and to maximize your efforts to graduate in four years, Brooklyn College has created four-year degree maps for all its majors.
View degree maps for this major and others.
Contact
Christopher Richards, Associate Professor
Director, Women’s and Gender Studies Program
1207 Ingersoll Hall
E:
P: 718.951.5476
Or contact:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
E:
To make an appointment with an undergraduate admissions counselor, visit:
The Support You’ll Find
Brooklyn College is an integral part of the cultural and artistic energy of New York City. Our faculty members affiliated with Women’s and Gender Studies offer incomparable expertise and tremendous talent, and each brings a unique perspective to their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom.
Internships and Employers
Through job fairs, the internship database, and internship panels, the Magner Career Center gives students in the women’s and gender studies B.A. program access to career opportunities at a wide variety of employers, including:
- ACLU
- Axia Women’s Health
- Callen-Lorde
- Housing Works
- New York–Presbyterian Hospital
- New York University Langone Hospital
- Oliver Wyman Group
- Spring Health
- United Nations
