Women's Studies and PhD Programs
Women's studies programs focus on a multitude of issues surrounding women at various points in history and across different cultures. It is an attempt to fill in the gaps of traditional college and university curriculum by giving special attention to women. Many institutions of higher learning offer women's studies classes and options to pursue a concentration in the field. However, only 12 universities as of May 2010 offer doctoral degree (PhD) programs in the United States, according to Smith College's guide to women's studies programs.
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Ohio State University
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The Department of Women's Studies at Ohio State University (OSU) offers a PhD program that is designed to prepare its students for a future in education, research and non-profit work. Students will focus on three out of four of the following areas of their choice, but will dedicate the bulk of her studies to one area; the concentrations include "Global and Transnational Feminisms; Race, Sexualities and Identities; Narrative, Culture and Representation; Power, Institutions and Economies."
Only 15 percent of applicants are accepted annually to the PhD program. Admissions looks at an applicant's recommendation letters, grades, GRE scores, personal statement, educational background and writing samples.
Women's Studies Graduate Program at Ohio State University
286 University Hall, 230 North Oval Mall
Columbus, OH 43210
614-292-1021
womens-studies.osu.edu/content/graduate/phd
Emory University
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Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Emory's Department of Women's Studies offers an interdisciplinary (studying the subject from different perspectives) PhD program in Women's Studies. Emory was the first university to have a PhD program for Women's Studies. Students who are admitted benefit from a flexible curriculum, diverse faculty and generous funding for all five years of the program.
You must apply to the program using Emory's online system; see Resources for more on Emory's admissions process and what you'll need to submit when applying.
Department of Women's Studies at Emory University
550 Asbury Circle
Candler Library, Suite 128
Atlanta, GA 30322
404-727-7282
graduateschool.emory.edu/academics/index.php?entity_id=82 -
University of Washington
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The University of Washington (UW) in Seattle, Washington is one of the first institutions in the Pacific Northwest to offer a doctoral degree program in women's studies. The PhD program at UW is unique because it focuses on women in North America, South America and Asia. Students will pursue women's studies solely from social science perspectives such as that of History, Psychology and Economics; UW's Women Studies program does not offer academic training in humanities or language disciplines, according to UW's Graduate Program in Women Studies.
Only about three students are selected to join the PhD program at the University of Washington each year; refer to Resources for admissions requirements to this program.
UW Women Studies
Box 354345
Padelford Hall, Room B110
Seattle, WA 98195-4345
206-543-6900
depts.washington.edu/webwomen/PagesGradProg/GradAbout.htm
Claremont Graduate University
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Located right outside of Los Angeles, California, the School of Religion at Claremont Graduate University (CGU) offers both a doctoral degree program and a master's degree program in Women's Studies in Religion. Graduates of the Women's Studies in Religion PhD program will be well-versed in both the study of religion as well as understanding women and gender within various religious traditions. The program's goal is to provide students with the necessary training for them to pursue higher education teaching careers in women's studies and religious studies programs, according to the School of Religion.
Prospective applicants should have some background in women's studies and religion. See Resources for details on applying to the Women's Studies in Religion PhD program.
The School of Religion at Claremont Graduate University
831 N. Dartmouth Ave.
Claremont, CA 91711
909-621-8085
cgu.edu/pages/1016.asp
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References
- Women's Studies, James Madison University: What is Women's Studies?
- Department of Women's Studies, Ohio State University: Ph.D. Program
- Department of Women's Studies, Emory University: Women's Studies
- University of Washington: About the Graduate Program in Women Studies
- Claremont Graduate University: The PhD in Women's Studies in Religion
Resources
- Photo Credit male and female iv image by Hao Wang from Fotolia.com
