Department of Women's Studies

Want some quick info on the major? Student Janeetra Johnson talks about the Women's Studies major at the LAUC Major Speed Dating event.

The Department of Women’s Studies at Penn State is ranked number 2 in the nation. The Department of Women’s Studies offers an undergraduate major and minor in Women’s Studies and a minor in Sexuality and Gender Studies. Our interdisciplinary undergraduate major provides challenging courses in a vibrant intellectual setting. Our courses focus on overlapping issues of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and nationality. Some of the topics covered include women in the arts and humanities, women’s literature, women’s health, gender and sexuality, gay and lesbian history, women and law, sexism and racism, African-American women, technology and science, and feminist theory.

Women’s studies majors gain first-hand and on the ground experiences through internships and study abroad programs. We encourage our students to participate in the Schreyer Honors College and the College of Liberal Arts Fellows Program. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of our major, many of our students double major in other areas such as communications, psychology, political science, and English. A major in women’s studies prepares students for careers that require critical thinking, innovation, writing, and planning. Many of the graduates of women’s studies go on for further study in law, medicine, or other fields of graduate study. They have careers in politics, journalism, health, law, medicine, and other fields.

Opportunities for students to become research assistants or teaching assistants, or to complete independent studies and internships are available.

Please contact Mary Cameron, Academic Advisor for more information about our courses and the varied career paths for Women's Studies majors.