Women's Studies and Gender Studies MA

About the MA in Women's Studies and Gender Studies at Loyola

The MA in Women's Studies and Gender Studies (WSGS) program at Loyola University Chicago is designed for students interested in the intersectionality and social justice issues centered on gender, and who strive to bring positive change on those fronts.

The program will offer you an interdisciplinary exploration of how knowledge is shaped by power, bridging insights gained from the humanities, social sciences, business, and law. You will be empowered to develop thoughtful, innovative solutions and to create pathways for promoting social justice.

The WSGS community at Loyola is culturally and intellectually diverse; tightly knit and supportive; politically and socially engaged; and committed to open-ended critique, inquiry, and invention.

Program Structure

The MA in Women's Studies and Gender Studies program can be taken on a full-time basis. Classes are held at the Lake Shore Campus, located on Chicago's North Side, right along Lake Michigan in a diverse and dynamic residential area.

The MA in WSGS is a 10-course, 30-credit-hour program that includes three required courses, a required capstone course, and six electives. You also will complete either an internship with a Chicago non-governmental organization, a practicum, or an interdisciplinary thesis.

Why Choose Loyola for Your MA in WSGS?

At Loyola University Chicago, you will learn in a diverse, tight-knit and supportive WSGS community that will prepare you for your future career or to continue your studies.

An interdisciplinary faculty of accomplished expert scholars

You will be guided and mentored by faculty representing the fields of history, English, sociology, social work, women’s/gender studies, philosophy, and literature who will be dedicated to empowering you to succeed.

As a student in the program, you will choose from a variety of concentration tracks for your electives, which include global and transnational, gender and violence, bodies and sexualities, religion and ethics, expressive arts, and a self-designed concentration.

You will learn in a small, close-knit cohort in a deeply supportive learning environment led by engaged faculty mentors. Through it you will make important connections and develop strong bonds that can last long after you graduate.

You will explore some of today’s most leading-edge topics and areas, including queer theory; men and masculinity studies; and migration, identity, and sexuality.

You will have the opportunity to add depth and dimension to your learning experience by studying abroad. A recent study abroad program was held in Barcelona for a three-week course on migration, transformation, and identity.

You will learn in the heart of Chicago, where you will benefit from Loyola partnerships, including the Center for Urban Research and Learning (CURL) and Mujeres Latinas en Acción, with the possibility of full-time job offers after you graduate.

Women's Studies and Gender Studies Department

The Department of Women's Studies and Gender Studies has a four-part mission. To promote deeper understandings of feminist scholarship and gender theory across the humanities, social sciences, and applied professions. To provide innovative, challenging, and thoughtful approaches to teaching and learning for both students and faculty. To acknowledge and honor the diversity of our human community - especially regarding gender, race, class, and sexuality - while working toward social justice. To build and cultivate a community of scholars who are supportive of one another and who carry out our mission in daily practice. Find stories showcasing current students and graduates from the Women's Studies and Gender Studies MA program and learn more about why Loyola is right for you.

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Meet the Faculty

Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the department faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Women's Studies and Gender Studies MA program.

Faculty

Curriculum and Program Outcomes

While courses for the Women's Studies and Gender Studies MA program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.

Additionally, this resource will provide Women's Studies and Gender Studies MA learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.

2024-2025 Catalog
Browse Academic Catalog

Costs, Scholarships, and Aid

Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.

If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.

Tuition and Costs

The estimated tuition and fees for the Women's Studies and Gender Studies MA totals $34950.00, or 30 credit hours at a cost of $1,165.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.

For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.

The Graduate School Funding Opportunities

Information about funding opportunities within The Graduate School can be found on The Graduate School website.

Appointments and Events

Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.

Schedule an Appointment

The Graduate School offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.

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Visit and Connect With Us

With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.

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Application Process

Application Deadlines

The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Women's Studies and Gender Studies MA are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.

Fall
Consideration for merit funding: March 15
Final deadline: July 30

Spring: November 1

Please note that decisions are typically delivered within 2 weeks of complete application submission.

Application Requirements

Application requirements for the Women's Studies and Gender Studies MA include:

  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended

  • 2 Letters of Recommendation

  • Statement of Purpose

  • Writing Sample

Statement of Purpose Details

Please write a brief statement describing your academic and research interests as well as your professional goals. Why does the study of women, gender, and sexuality matter to you? Please note that there is a writing sample requirement that needs to be completed in addition to this section.

Writing Sample Details

Please submit an academic writing sample.

Official Documents

Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.

International Applicant Requirements

An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived.

Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.

International Applicant Requirements
Start Your Application

Applying online to the Women's Studies and Gender Studies MA program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.

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Social Work/Women's Studies and Gender Studies MSW/MASchool of Social Work/The Graduate School

Masters | Part-Time or Full-Time | On-Campus | Fall, Spring

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Advancing social justice requires acknowledging and honoring the diversity of our human community—especially regarding gender, race, class, and sexuality. If you are passionate about activism and addressing social justice issues, you'll thrive in this program, one of the few dual degree graduate programs of its kind in the nation.

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