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

The online degree in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies is designed for professionals who want to earn their bachelor’s in order to make a positive difference in their workplace, their community and the world.

Offered by the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Louisville, this research-based liberal arts program delivers an interdisciplinary curriculum focused on understanding the social issues of diversity and social justice. The program emphasizes how gender disparities connect with poverty, racism, heterosexism and other forms of inequality, and equips graduates to develop viable solutions to those problems in their own communities.

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Highlights

  • Learn to gather and interpret information, analyze where ideas and schools of thought differ and intersect, and use language to communicate persuasively and effectively.
  • Research, evaluate and discuss feminist studies and social justice issues such as gender roles, women/gender/race in media, poverty and more.
  • Hone your written communication, critical thinking and research skills.
  • Build a versatile set of skills and knowledge, for which employers around the country actively recruit.
  • Transfer in credit from other accredited institutions or earn the entire degree at UofL.
  • Take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of 100% online classes.

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100% ONLINE COURSES

Complete this degree on your own time through fully online classes.

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121 PROGRAM CREDIT HOURS

Transfer in credit, or take general education, core and elective courses at UofL.

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5/5 LGBT INCLUSIVENESS

The University of Louisville received a 5/5 rating for LGBT inclusiveness through Campus Pride Index.

Online learning video - Online Bachelor of Arts in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies

"There’s no place, business or institution that gender doesn’t impact. This discipline allows you think in very broad contexts, and our graduates go on to such a wide variety of professions. They become lawyers, they become social workers, they work for non-profits, they go into business… There’s really not a limit to the types of things this degree prepares you for."


DAWN HEINECKEN, PH.D.
UOFL PROFESSOR
WOMEN’S, GENDER AND SEXUALITY STUDIES

Outcome

An undergraduate degree in the area of women’s, gender and sexuality studies combines robust critical thinking and diversity education to equip graduates with a marketable combination of skills that are well at home in a wide range of industries. Your broadened perspective will prepare you to create a more equal and understanding workplace in a wide variety of fields including:

  • Human resources
  • Workplace leadership
  • Public relations
  • Marketing and communications
  • Health care management
  • Public policy advocacy
  • Governmental agencies
  • Non-profit entities
 

Further, according to a study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, hiring managers look for employees with leadership, teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills above all others. Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies graduates are well-prepared to meet those demands.

Online BA in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Outcomes


Earning your BA in women's, gender and sexuality studies will open a lot of doors for you as a bachelor’s program holder and with the soft skills you’ll learn as a student. Contrary to misconceptions, this degree isn't just about studying women's issues; it offers a wide array of career opportunities that empower individuals to create meaningful change in society.

This is a bachelor's program ideal for those who are passionate about promoting gender equity, social justice, and exploring the complexities of human relationships. Graduates will be well-suited to work in any of the following areas:


  • Advocacy and Activism
  • Education and Academia
  • Counseling and Mental Health
  • Public Poilicy and Advocacy
  • Media and Communications
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Health and Healthcare
 

These careers can be found in profit, non-profit and government organizations.

Furthermore, a degree in women's, gender and sexuality studies can bring a lifelong benefit to your professional life. In a world where specialization often reigns supreme, the importance of a well-rounded education cannot be overlooked. An A&S; degree from UofL will help you gain the knowledge, skills, creativity and experience needed to stand out in the workforce. Liberal arts curriculum can offer success beyond learning, turning passion into purpose, while encouraging your intellectual curiosity, personal growth and professional success.

Online BA in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Application Deadlines


Application Deadline Term Start Date
August 1 Fall August
December 1 Spring January
April 1 Summer May/June

Applicants are encouraged to work on and submit their complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time. Applications submitted or completed after the preferred deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis for the next available start/term.


Steps to Apply for the Online BA in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

  1. Complete undergraduate application
  2. Submit $30 non-refundable application fee
  3. Submit official transcripts from all institutions previously attended
  4. Check for Scholarships

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Online BA in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Admission Requirements

  • Graduation from an accredited high school
  • GED or equivalent by petition (e.g., home school educations)
  • GPA of 2.0 or higher

Transfer for BA in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Credit

Students may transfer up to 60 hours from a community college and up to 90 hours from an accredited 4-year college. Transfer applicants must have a minimum college GPA of 2.5 to be admitted in good standing. Complete the credit transfer pre-evaluation to get an idea of how many credits you'll be able to transfer in toward your UofL bachelor's degree, and visit our General Transfer Student page for more details.

Are you a KCTCS student? KCTCS students can transfer completed associate degrees in their entirety and begin immediately with online upper level coursework at UofL. Visit our KCTCS Transfers Page for more information.

See the UofL Transfer Credit Policy for more information.


The online bachelor’s in women’s, gender and sexuality studies from UofL is a 121 credit hour program, broken down into the following curriculum components:

  • General Education (Cardinal Core) Requirements: 31 credit hours
  • Arts & Sciences Requirements: 13 credit hours
  • Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Required Core Courses: 36
  • Supporting Courses:
    • Approved Arts & Sciences Minor or Concentration: 27-30 credit hours
    • Electives: 11-14 credit hours

General Education Requirements

Courses Hours
General Education Requirements* 31
The following courses are required by the program and can satisfy the respective General Education Requirement:
WGST 201 Women In American Culture
Additional coursework may satisfy program and General Education requirements (e.g., WGST 203 or WGST 207)
Minimum Total Hours 31

Arts & Sciences Requirements

Courses Hours
GEN 100 Student Success Center First Year Experience OR
GEN 101 Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
1
Electives in Humanities, Social Sciences, or Natural Sciences at the 300 level or above2
Foreign Language1 12
WR - two approved courses at the 300 level or above2
Minimum Total Hours 13

Core Program Courses: 36 hours

Courses Credit Hours
Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Required Core Courses 36
WGST 201 Women in American Culture 3
WGST 401 Community Internship 3
WGST 500 Senior Seminar in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies: Social Sciences 3
Select up to 3 courses, of which one must be at the 400+ level: 6-9
WGST 202 Seeing Gender: Introduction to Gender in Visual Studies
WGST 203 Gender Issues in Public Dialogue
WGST 207 Diverse Perspectives in Philosophy
WGST 303 Humanities and Gender
WGST 320 Women in Music: A History
WGST 325 Women and Global Literature
WGST 326 Gender, Race, Sexuality in Children's Lit
WGST 340 Women and Religion
WGST 342 Black Women Novelists
WGST 346 Women in Africa: Historical and Literary Perspectives
WGST 360 Feminist Philosophy
WGST 373 Women Writers and Filmmakers
WGST 375 LGBTQ Literature in the United States
WGST 380 African-American Women in Theatre
WGST 395 Women, Media and Cultures
WGST 504 Community Engaged Research Methods
WGST 508 Queer Performance
WGST520 Women's Personal Narratives
WGST 522 The Body in Popular Media
WGST 541 Feminism and Science Fiction
WGST 560 Feminist Philosophical Literature
WGST 571 Francophone Women Writers
WGST 582 Health and Social Justice
Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Social Science Electives
Select up to 3 courses, of which one must be at the 400+ level:
6-9
WGST 204 Digital Feminism
WGST 240 LGBTQ+ Cinema
WGST 300 , Gender and Culture
WGST 301 to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies
WGST 302 LGBTQ and Applied Healthcare
WGST 312 Sociology of Women's Health
WGST 313 Sociology of Gender
WGST 316 Gender, Sexuality & Law
WGST 323 Queer Politics
WGST 324 Communication and Gender
WGST 331 History of Women, 1700 to the Present
WGST 332 History of Childhood in America
WGST 333 Women in Latin American History
WGST 337 and the Law
WGST 339 Women and the Criminology System
WGST 343 of Global Poverty
WGST 344 Black Lesbian Lives
WGST 347 and Sexism
WGST 348 Women
WGST 349 Color Complex of Black Women
WGST 355 Women in American Politics
WGST 364 's Health Issues
WGST 394 Lectures in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
WGST 410 Black Feminism in Action
WGST 411 of Women
WGST 414 and Work
WGST 415 Sociology of Disabilities
WGST 416 Assault and the Legal System
WGST 417 Justice
WGST 418 Violence
WGST 458 Women: International Perspective
WGST 460 Gender in the Middle East
WGST 509 and Medicine
WGST 511 Transnational Feminism
WGST 512 Gender, Race, Work, and Welfare
WGST 513 U.S. Social Justice Movements of the 20th Century
WGST 530 Feminism in Western Civilization, 1790-1920
WGST 531 Women in the Twentieth Century in Europe and the U.S.
WGST 532 History of American Sexualities
WGST 533Women in 19th Century America
WGST 538 Woman and Sport
WGST 540 Women's Health in Africa
WGST 542 African American Women and the History of Reproductive Justice
WGST 543 Black Women's Voices
WGST 547 Language, Race, Class, and Gender
WGST 556 Feminist Theory
WGST 558 Women in Developing Countries
WGST 584 Women in East Asian History
Elective in Women/Gender and Race
Select two of the following:
6
WGST 342 Black Women Novelists
WGST 343 Faces of Global Poverty
WGST 344 Black Lesbian Lives
WGST 339 Black Women and the Criminology System
WGST 346 Women in Africa: Historical and Literary Perspectives
WGST 347 Racism and Sexism
WGST 348 African-American Women
WGST 349 Color Complex of Black Women
WGST 380 African-American Women in Theatre
WGST 410 Black Feminism in Action
WGST 512 Gender, Race, Work, and Welfare
WGST 513 U.S. Social Justice Movements of the 20th Century
WGST 542 African American Women and the History of Reproductive Justice
WGST 540 Women's Health in Africa
WGST 543 Black Women's Voices
WGST 545 Southern Women: Black and White
WGST 547 Language, Race, Class, and Gender
WGST 582 Health and Social Justice
Elective in Women/Gender and History
Select one of the following:
WGST 331 The History of Women, 1700 to the Present
WGST 332 History of Childhood in America
WGST 333 Women in Latin American History
WGST 513 U.S. Social Justice Movements of the 20th Century
WGST 509 Women and Medicine
WGST 530 Feminism in Western Civilization, 1790-1920
WGST 531 Women in the Twentieth Century in Europe and the U.S.
WGST 532 History of American Sexualities
WGST 533 Women in 19th Century America
WGST 545 Southern Women: Black and White
WGST 584 Women in East Asian History
3
Elective in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the 300-level or above 3
Graduation requirement or culminating undergraduate experience (CUE) requirement that’s fulfilled by completing WGST 500 Senior Seminar in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies: Social Sciences 3
Minimum Total Hours 36

Supporting Courses

Courses Credit Hours
Select either an approved A&S; minor OR one of the concentration options below 27-30
Minor Options (Choose one of the following)
Minor in a Social Science discipline (18-21 hours) plus 9 hours of electives at 300+ level in Humanities or Natural Sciences
Minor in a Natural Science discipline (18-21 hours) plus 9 hours of electives at 300+ level in Humanities or Social Sciences
Minor in a Humanities discipline (18-21 hours) plus 9 hours of electives at 300+ level in Social Sciences or Natural Sciences
Concentration Options (Choose one of the following)
  1. Concentration in Social Sciences (18 hours of Social Science electives) plus 9 hours of Supporting Electives in Natural Sciences or Humanities at 300+. Up to 6 hours may double count towards the major. The 18-hour Concentration includes:
  • At least 12 hours at the 300+ level
  • At least 9 hours in a single Social Science discipline
  • Concentration in Natural Sciences (18 hours of Natural Science electives) with 9 hours of Supporting Electives at 300+ level in Humanities or Social Sciences. Up to 6 hours may double count towards the major. The 18-hour Concentration includes:
    • At least 12 hours at the 300+ level
    • At least 9 hours in a single Natural Science discipline
  • Concentration in Humanities (18 hours of Humanities electives) with 9 hours of Supporting Electives at 300+ level in Natural Sciences or Social Sciences. Up to 6 hours may double count towards the major. The 18-hour Concentration includes:
    • At least 12 hours at the 300+ level
    • At least 9 hours in a single Humanities discipline
  • Minimum Electives 11-14
    Minimum Total Hours 38-44

    Students should consult a women’s, gender and sexuality studies advisor about how topics and independent study courses count in the major.

    * All degrees require the completion of the university-wide General Education Program. Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

    Note: Students who satisfy General Education Requirements by courses defined by the program will require additional electives to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

    1Completion of the intermediate level of a single foreign language

    2May be incorporated into other degree requirements

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    Course Descriptions

    Online BA in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Success Team




      Online BA in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies FAQ


      • What are the benefits of online learning?

        The biggest benefit of online learning is that you can work to earn your degree from your own home while working full-time, balancing other priorities or experiencing particular life circumstances that make commuting to campus difficult or impossible. Online learning also gives you an opportunity to interact with a diverse group of students from different regions and backgrounds.

      • How is the online program different than the campus program?

        At UofL you are taught by the same world-class faculty as our on-campus students. You read the same books, do many of the same assignments and earn the same degree. Neither your transcript nor your diploma notes your degree was completed online, only that you completed courses at UofL. The biggest difference is that you are able to do coursework on your own time and in a way that best fits your learning and lifestyle. Please note, however, that not all on-campus courses are available online.

      • Can I receive credit for courses completed at another school?

        On a case-by-case basis, credit transfer is allowed from an accredited university to fulfill general education requirements. See the UofL Transfer Credit Policy for more information.

      • I noticed that the Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies offers both a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Can the Bachelor of Science in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies also be completed fully online?

        No, at this time only the Bachelor of Arts in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies will be offered fully online. The research methods course required for the Bachelor of Science is not currently taught online, but we hope to be able to offer it in the future.

      • I have never attended college (or I have earned less than 24 credits so far). Can I earn this degree online?

        Yes. All the courses you need to complete a full, four-year degree are available online.

      • Are courses taught by UofL faculty?

        Yes, at UofL you are taught by the same world-class faculty as our on-campus students. You read the same books, do many of the same assignments and earn the same degree. The biggest difference is that you are able to do it in a way that best fits your lifestyle.