Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall, Spring
On-Campus
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
- A variety of concentrations to focus your degree
- A friendly, supportive learning community
- A program and curriculum on the leading edge of WSGS
- An international component with study abroad opportunities
- A vibrant location rich with academic and professional opportunities
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.
Department WebsiteDepartment News and StoriesMeet 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.
FacultyMA in Women's Studies and Gender Studies Career Connections
Upon graduation from the MA in WSGS program, you will be prepared for career success in a broad range of professional fields. You also will be ready to pursue advanced study, such as a PhD program, law school, or medical school.
Specific job options include:
- Education
- Healthcare
- Human services
- International affairs and relations
- Literature
- Media (reporters/journalists, writers, communication specialists, researchers, editors, etc.)
- Marketing, communication, and advertising
- Non-profit (community organizers, advocates, case managers, counselors, program coordinators, etc.)
- Public policy or administration
- Public service
- Social work
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
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 CatalogMA in WSGS Results and Skills
By earning your MA in Women's Studies and Gender Studies at Loyola, you will develop a wide range of skills, including the ability to:
- Apply your understanding of feminist scholarship and gender theory to current and emerging real-world societal challenges
- Incorporate your knowledge into issues and problems across the spectrum of disciplines including the humanities, social sciences, and applied professions
- Understand and appreciate the importance of diversity within our human community, especially regarding gender, race, class, and sexuality
- Work to achieve social justice and bring equality to underserved and underrepresented communities
- Contribute to the growth of various academic and professional disciplines through the incorporation of your perspective of gender theory
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 AppointmentThe 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.
View all EventsVisit 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.
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.
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.
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.
APPLY TODAYRelated Programs
Masters | Part-Time or Full-Time | On-Campus | Fall, Spring
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.
Apply NowRequest Info