PHD in Women's Studies: Degree Information
Students interested in exploring gender, racial, economic, cultural and sexuality issues experienced by women in a global context can pursue a Ph.D. program in women's studies. This terminal degree emphasizes scholarship, leadership, communication and critical thinking skills and generally requires original research as part of a dissertation.
Ph.D. in Women's Studies
A doctoral degree program in women's studies typically takes an interdisciplinary and multicultural approach to feminist theory and applications, social issues and related subjects. Alternative degree fields include women's and gender studies or women's, gender and sexuality studies. Areas of concentration available to students may include American studies, sexuality and gendered labor, social change or multicultural studies. Qualifying exams are generally required, as is completion of a dissertation.
Education Prerequisites
Typically, admission requirements include successful completion of a master's degree program in women's studies or a closely related field, although some programs will consider applicants who've earned only a bachelor's degree if they can demonstrate the requisite skills, abilities and knowledge of the field. It's also common to require that applicants be able to demonstrate previous coursework or experience in feminist theory. Applicants may have to submit GRE exam scores.
Course Topics
The core of the curriculum includes survey classes related to women in art, literature, politics, health and law, as well as courses in research methods and statistics. Students choose electives based on their concentration or area of study. Knowledge of a second language may be required. Coursework may include the following topics:
- Feminist genealogies
- Contemporary feminist theories
- Gender politics
- Feminist pedagogy
- Gender, sexuality and law
- Women's health advocacy
- Women in the African Diaspora
Popular Career Options
Upon program completion, students may consider an academic career within the field of women's studies, such as a teaching position at the postsecondary level. Since a Ph.D. program in women's studies is typically interdisciplinary in nature, students may also be prepared for a career in a number of professional settings, and employers may include:
- Research institutions
- Government agencies
- Political organizations
- Educational institutions
Related to PHD in Women's Studies: Degree Information
- Related
- Recently Updated
- Popular
10 Ways Leadership Roles Will Help You Succeed After College
Student leaders have the opportunity to make a major impact on campus throughout their college experience. But the...
STEM Education Not Necessarily Linked to Economic Growth
Paul Whiteley, professor of politics at the University of Essex, recently released an analysis of the relationship...
Elinor Ostrom Becomes First Woman to Win the Nobel in Economic Science
Elinor Ostrom became the first woman honored with the Nobel Prize for Economic Science. Ostrom teaches at Indiana...
Sharpen Communication Skills in College
Good communication skills will help you in the job interview and beyond. Here's an outline of what you need to know as...
Top Schools for Communication Technology Programs
- Learn About Leadership and Teamwork From Rear Admiral Sandra Stosz, the First Female Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy
- New Study Links Education to Economic Growth
- Visual Literacy Vs. Visual Communication: What's the Difference?
- Top Ranked School for a Degree in Computer Design Technology - Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Top University for Video Game Design and Development - Chicago, IL
- Top Ranked School for a Degree in Health Care Administration - Bakersfield, CA
- Delaware (DE): University and College System
- Economic Development Jobs: Career Options, Duties and Requirements
- Organizational Leadership Careers: Job Duties, Requirements and Salary Info
- Top Ranked Teacher Education Program in Instructional Leadership - Chicago, IL
- Top Nursing University - Honolulu, HI
- Top Bachelor's Degree Program in Computer Information Systems - Houston, TX
1 Popular School
-
Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
Other Related Schools:
-
School locations:
- Michigan (1 campus)
Areas of study you may find at Michigan State University include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Coursework
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Cultural Studies
- Ethnic and Gender Studies
- Chicano Studies
- Women's Studies
- Geography and Cartography
- Human and Consumer Sciences
- Human and Social Services
- Liberal Arts, Humanities, and General Studies
- Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Public Administration
- Religious Studies
- Social Science and Studies
- Social Studies and History
Other Popular Schools:
-
Areas of study you may find at Iowa State University include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Agriculture
- Architecture
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Business
- Communications and Journalism
- Computer Sciences
- Education
- Engineering
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies
- Medical and Health Professions
- Physical Sciences
- Psychology
- Visual and Performing Arts
-
-
Areas of study you may find at University of Michigan include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Business
- Communications and Journalism
- Computer Sciences
- Education
- Engineering
- Legal
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Medical and Health Professions
- Physical Sciences
- Psychology
- Visual and Performing Arts
-
-
Areas of study you may find at New England Institute of Technology include:
-
- Non-Degree: Coursework
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Business
- Communications and Journalism
- Computer Sciences
- Engineering
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies
- Medical and Health Professions
- Visual and Performing Arts
-
-
Areas of study you may find at Golden Gate University include:
-
- Graduate: First Professional Degree, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Business
- Computer Sciences
- Legal
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Medical and Health Professions
- Psychology
- Visual and Performing Arts
-
-
Areas of study you may find at University of South Florida include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
- Architecture
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Business
- Communications and Journalism
- Computer Sciences
- Education
- Engineering
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Medical and Health Professions
- Physical Sciences
- Psychology
- Visual and Performing Arts
-
-
Areas of study you may find at Texas Tech University include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Agriculture
- Architecture
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Business
- Communications and Journalism
- Computer Sciences
- Education
- Engineering
- Legal
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies
- Medical and Health Professions
- Physical Sciences
- Psychology
- Visual and Performing Arts
-
-
Areas of study you may find at Grand Valley State University include:
-
- Graduate: Master
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Business
- Communications and Journalism
- Computer Sciences
- Education
- Engineering
- Legal
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Medical and Health Professions
- Physical Sciences
- Psychology
- Visual and Performing Arts
-
-
Areas of study you may find at Northern Arizona University include:
-
- Graduate: Doctorate, Master
- Non-Degree: Certificate
- Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
- Undergraduate: Bachelor
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Business
- Communications and Journalism
- Computer Sciences
- Education
- Engineering
- Legal
- Liberal Arts and Humanities
- Mechanic and Repair Technologies
- Medical and Health Professions
- Physical Sciences
- Psychology
- Visual and Performing Arts
-
