Interdisciplinary Major - Women, Gender & Sexuality

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Universal Curriculum Requirements

To be awarded a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences, students are required to complete universal curriculum requirements in addition to the program requirements provided below. The school universal curriculum requirements can be found on the school Degree Programs page.

Requirements for Major

As of August 27, 2024 any student wishing to declare a WGS Major must have completed one WGS course with a grade of C of better.

STEPS TO DECLARE A MAJOR

Review the website listings of the WGS Course Catalog and approved affiliated courses.
Obtain a current copy of your Academic Advising Transcript from the Student Information System (SIS).
Obtain a copy of the Declaration of Major form at https://college.as.virginia.edu/forms.
Complete the Major Advising Worksheet.
Complete the WGS Student Information Form.
Review your completed forms with WGS Director of Undergraduate Programs, Bonnie Hagerman during office hours or email to make an appointment.

Any student wishing to declare a WGS Major must have completed one unspecified WGS course with a grade of C of better.

WGS majors will receive priority course enrollment during the first two days of the open undergraduate enrollment period each semester.

Transfer students must complete at least 7 courses at UVA for the major, and these must include a theory course and the 4000-level and above courses.

Program Requirements

The interdisciplinary major in Women, Gender & Sexuality (WGS) requires the completion of 10 courses (30 credits). At least eight courses must be at the 3000 level or above. These must include the following required courses:

Two WGS 4000-level courses. Credits: 6
A WGS course that is coded as satisfying the theory requirement. Credits: 3

Options include:

WGS 3100: Intro to WGS Theory
WGS 4800: Queer Theory
WGS 4820: Black Feminist Theory

A WGS course that is coded as satisfying the non-western requirement. Credits: 3
Three electives that are WGS or are approved WGS elective courses from outside the department. One course can be at the 2000-level and above; two courses should be at the 3000-level or above. Credits: 9

WGS 2100 - Introduction to Gender and Sexuality Studies Credits: 3
WGS 3150 - Race & Power in Gender & Sexuality Credits: 3
WGS 3500 - Research and Methods in Women, Gender & Sexuality Credits: 3

Additional Requirements

A minimum grade of C must be earned in any course counted toward the major. Courses counting toward the WGS major may include one Independent Study course. Three courses may be “double-counted” toward a major in WGS and a major in another department; that is, three courses taken for another major can also count toward the WGS major as long as they are already approved WGS electives, WGS-affiliated electives, or the WGS Director of Undergraduate Programs approves the course(s).

Distinguished Majors Program

Majors in Women, Gender & Sexuality (WGS) with a strong academic record are encouraged to become Distinguished Majors. Distinguished Majors complete a two-semester written thesis (approximately 35-40 pages in length) in their fourth year under the supervision of a WGS faculty member. The thesis allows students to pursue their own interests in depth and have the intellectual satisfaction of defining and completing a sustained project. The Distinguished Major Program is an especially good option for students considering graduate level work in any field.

To be eligible, students must have a 3.40 overall GPA at the start of their fourth year. Students are required to sign up for a 6-credit course, WGS 4998 and 4999, under the supervision of a WGS faculty member. The thesis must also be approved by a second faculty member whom the student will choose in consultation with the thesis advisor.

The 6-credit senior thesis course will count toward the 30 credits required for the Major. Successful completion of the thesis qualifies the student for graduation with Distinction, High Distinction, or Highest Distinction, depending upon the recommendation of the two faculty advisors, and subject to approval of the College’s Committee on Special Programs.

An early start is important to the successful completion of a Senior Thesis. While not required, it is recommended that students make the decision to pursue the Distinguished Majors Program during their third year. This will give students the opportunity to discuss the project with various faculty members, identify suitable advisors, and have the summer between the third and fourth years to define their project further and begin some preliminary reading and planning. For these reasons, students choosing to pursue the thesis should complete a WGS DMP application form in the spring semester of their third year.

Additional Information

For more information, contact the Director of Undergraduate Programs, Women, Gender and Sexuality, P.O. Box 400172, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4172; (434) 982-2961; www.wgs.virginia.edu.