Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Certificate
Explore how gender, sexuality, and women’s experiences shape society, culture, and everyday life. Through this 18-credit certificate, you’ll study these issues across disciplines while developing skills to understand different perspectives, analyze social structures, and engage with complex issues.
The certificate is offered by the College of General Studies in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh’s Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies program.
Certificate at a Glance
Build an interdisciplinary foundation for understanding gender, sexuality, women’s experiences, and the social and cultural structures that shape them.
Complete six courses, including required, elective, and advanced GSWS coursework.
Explore gender, sexuality, and women’s studies through courses from multiple academic departments.
Choose from a range of approved courses and complete coursework at a pace that fits your academic plan.
Pursue the certificate on its own or alongside another degree at Pitt.
Who Should Participate
For Students & Professionals
- Students who want to complement a major or professional focus with an interdisciplinary perspective on gender, sexuality, and women’s studies.
- Professionals who work with diverse populations and want to deepen their understanding of social and cultural experiences related to gender and sexuality.
- Students interested in careers or further study in fields such as law, healthcare, education, social services, communications, public policy, and the arts.
For Exploration & Career Preparation
- Students interested in examining how social structures, history, culture, and identity shape individual and collective experiences.
- Those who want to explore contemporary issues related to gender, sexuality, equality, diversity, and social change.
- Students looking to develop an interdisciplinary foundation that can be applied across academic, professional, and community settings.
Program Expectations
Through this certificate, you will develop the knowledge and skills to:
Think Across Disciplines
Examine questions about gender, sexuality, and women’s experiences through perspectives from multiple academic fields.
Analyze Social Structures
Explore how social, cultural, historical, and institutional structures shape experiences and opportunities.
Engage Diverse Perspectives
Consider a range of perspectives and experiences related to gender, sexuality, identity, culture, and society.
Connect History and the Present
Use historical context to better understand contemporary issues and changing social and cultural structures.
Apply Your Learning
Connect interdisciplinary knowledge and critical thinking skills to academic, professional, and community settings.
Credit Requirements
- The Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies certificate requires 18 credits, including six credits of core courses, nine elective credits, and one advanced GSWS course.
- Elective courses must be taken from at least two academic departments, with GSWS counting as one of the departments.
- Transfer courses may be accepted on a case-by-case basis, up to a maximum of two courses.
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher is required in courses applied to the certificate.
- A minimum of 12 credits must be earned at the University of Pittsburgh.
- The certificate may not be pursued concurrently with the B.A. in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies or the GSWS minor.
- Certificate students are expected to meet at least once each year with the GSWS undergraduate advisor to review their progress and remaining requirements.
How to Declare
Students must meet requirements for admission to the College of General Studies. Complete the online application to pursue the certificate through CGS.
Coursework
Complete 18 credits through required GSWS courses, approved electives from multiple academic departments, and one advanced GSWS course.
Required Courses: 6 credits
Complete a minimum of two required GSWS courses, preferably early in your academic program. Students are encouraged to take all four core courses; if you do, two may count toward your program electives.
Electives: 9 credits
Choose three approved GSWS courses from at least two different academic departments. GSWS may count as one of the two departments. Courses must be approved for GSWS credit. View current GSWS course listings.
Either GSWS 1900 Internship or GSWS 1901 Independent Study may be used to meet one elective requirement. In this case, the other two courses must each be from different academic departments. These courses require special arrangements; consult with the GSWS undergraduate advisor.
Advanced GSWS Course: 3 credits
Choose one advanced, upper-level GSWS course. The courses below are examples. For the current list of approved upper-level courses, visit the GSWS Major page.
As of Spring 2015 (Term 2154), the subject designation GSWS replaced WOMNST. Courses taken under a WOMNST number before that term will count toward the certificate.
Resources & Flexible Options
Take advantage of flexible course formats and planning resources as you complete the certificate.
Flexible Learning Options
Many courses include online and hybrid formats, allowing you to build your skills wherever you are.
View Online Courses »Planning Resources
Use the GSWS Certificate Checklist to map out your required courses and monitor your progress toward completing the certificate.
Download Checklist (PDF) »Questions
Frayda Cohen, PhD
Director, Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies
401 Cathedral of Learning
GSWS Program
University of Pittsburgh
Email: frcst5@pitt.edu
Note: Requirements are subject to change. Check with an academic advisor before registering.