Undergraduate Certificate Information/Requirements

Women’s Studies is an interdisciplinary academic program focusing on women, gender, and sexuality. Women’s Studies (WOMNST) courses and cross-listed courses in various departments across the university provide opportunities for women and men to broaden their understandings of the changing role of gender in the United States and globally. Students who want to explore the intersection of gender with race, class, ethnicity, ability, and sexual orientation will find courses of interest, as will students who want to know more about the role of women in history, in literature and the arts, in media and science. Students who plan careers in medicine, the creative arts, social work, education, counseling, law, therapy, and business find that Women’s Studies enhances their professional activities. Still others report that the confidence and insight that they acquire in such courses enriches their lives regardless of their particular career goals.

The Women’s Studies Program offers an 18-Credit Certificate. Transfer courses will be accepted on a case-by-case basis up to a maximum of 2 courses. A cumulative QPA of 2.00 is required in courses applying to the certificate. You will need to fill out two forms:

The UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE APPLICATION FORM should be filed with the Women’s Studies Undergraduate Advisor as early as possible and no later than the semester prior to graduation. The form is available on-line and at the Women’s Studies office.

UNDERGRADUATE ACADEMIC PROGRAM CHANGE FORM should be filed with the appropriate Dean’s office as early as possible and no later than the semester prior to graduation. The form is available in the Women’s Studies office.

Any student enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh for the 2005-2006 academic year or earlier, may choose to follow either Plan A or Plan B to complete the Women’s Studies Undergraduate Certificate. Students enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh for the 2006-2007 academic year or after will follow Plan A Please consult the Women’s Studies Undergraduate Advisor to plan your program of study.

WOMNST 1900: Women's Studies Internship

Provides students the opportunity to extend their academic training beyond the classroom. For more information about possible sites, please make an appointment with the Women’s Studies Undergraduate Advisor. A proposal outlining the purpose of the internship and its relevance to Women’s Studies is required. To be eligible for an internship, you must satisfy the following:

1. Must have completed 60 credits and be in good academic standing.
2. Must have completed at least 4 courses toward the WS certificate.
3. Internship must complement one’s academic preparation.
4. Special Permission from the WS Undergraduate Advisor required.
5. Click on Internships for more information.

WOMNST 1901: Independent Study

Provides students the opportunity to pursue an area of special interest beyond what is offered in the regular curriculum. A proposal outlining the purpose of the study, the relevance to Women’s Studies, and a plan of study including bibliography and course products (papers, annotated bibliography, film presentation, etc) must be approved by a professor who agrees to supervise the work. The proposal must be submitted to the WS Undergraduate Advisor prior to registering for the course.

1. Must have 2 courses in Women’s Studies and 2 courses in a discipline appropriate to the independent study.
2. Special permission from the WS Undergraduate Advisor required.

CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS: Plan A

The Certificate is recorded on the student’s transcript. All Certificate students are expected to meet at least once a year with the Women’s Studies faculty advisor to update files and discuss what courses are needed to fulfill Certificate requirements. Students are required to take 2 INTRODUCTORY CORE courses in Women’s Studies, 3 ELECTIVE courses from at least 2 different academic departments selected from the list of courses approved for Women’s Studies credit (consult the website for current listings), and 1 ADVANCED WOMEN’S STUDIES INTERDISCIPLINARY course.

6 credits OR 2 courses
CORE COURSES

(Preferably to be completed early in student's academic program)

9 credits OR 3 courses
ELECTIVE COURSES

Three courses must be from at least two different academic departments, including such courses as; but not limited to:

Either WOMNST 1900 Internship Or WOMNST 1901 Independent Study may be used to met one of these course requirements, but in this case, the two other courses must each be in different departments.

3 credits OR 1 course
INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSE

(WOMNST 0100 and WOMNST 0500 are prerequisites for these courses)

CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS: Plan B

The Certificate is recorded on the student’s transcript. All Certificate students are expected to meet at least once a year with the Women’s Studies faculty advisor to update files and discuss what courses are needed to fulfill Certificate requirements. Students are required to take 6 Women’s Studies (WS) courses (18 credits) in at least 3 different disciplines, planned with a WS Advisor, as follows:

3 credits or 1 course
INTRODUCTORY INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSE

(Students who have taken many WOMNST courses may substitute another WOMNST course for this requirement.)

6 credits OR 2 courses
LOWER-LEVEL WOMEN’S STUDIES COURSES

Must be in two different disciplines (See Website and Schedule Booklets for specific course offerings). Includes such courses as; but not limited to:

6 credits OR 2 courses
UPPER-LEVEL WOMEN’S STUDIES COURSES

Must be in two different disciplines (See Website and Schedule Booklets for specific course offerings). Includes such courses as:

3 credits OR 1 course
UPPER-LEVEL INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSE

(Students who took WOMNST 1142 Feminist Theory before Spring 2005 may count this course)

Please visit or call our office for further information:

2208 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
412-624-6485