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.
On this page
Who It's For · Courses · Credit Requirements · How to Declare · Resources & Flexible Options · Questions
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. Expand any course to view its credits and full description.
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.
GSWS 0100 – Introduction to Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
GSWS 0150 – Gender in the Professions
GSWS 0500 – Introduction to Feminist Theory
GSWS 0550 – Sex and Sexualities
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.
AFRCNA 0454 – Man/Woman Literature
AFRCNA 1309 – Women of African and African Diaspora
ANTH 0768 – Anthropology of Gender and Sexuality
ANTH 1728 – Gender and Globalization
ENGCMP 0203 – Seminar in Composition: Gender Studies
ENGLIT 0610 – Women and Literature
ENGLIT 0625 – Detective Fiction
ENGLIT 0630 – Sexuality and Representation
ENGLIT 0655 – Representing Adolescence
ENGLIT 0670 – Queer and Transgender Literature
ENGLIT 0715 – Austen and Bronte
FR 0012 – French Kiss: Love, Sex, France
FR 0070 – Kings & Queens: From Vikings to the Guillotine
FR 0088 – Ailing Bodies: Narratives of Health and Illness
FR 0090 – Euro Chic: The Invention of Fashion
GSWS 0200 – Sex, Race, and Popular Culture
GSWS 0600 – Global LGBTQ Literature
HIST 0707 – Sex and Gender: A Global History of the Modern World
HIST 1082 – Women, Gender and Sport
HIST 1661 – Gender and Sexuality in the US Since 1865
LCJS 0200 – Race, Class, Gender, & the Law
LCJS 1583 – Sex, Law and Marriage
PS 1550 – Gender and Global Politics
PSY 0184 – Psychology of Gender
PSY 1110 – Psychological Aspects of Human Sexuality
PSY 1113 – Psychology of Women+
SOC 0446 – Sociology of Gender
SOC 1448 – Working Women
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.
GSWS 1130 – Gendered Bodies
GSWS 1140 – Special Topics
GSWS 1150 – Transnational Feminisms
GSWS 1170 – Queer Theory
GSWS 1180 – Politics of Gender and Food
GSWS 1190 – Masculinities
GSWS 1210 – Gender and the Digital
GSWS 1230 – Gender and Medicine
GSWS 1280 – Transnational Sexual Politics
GSWS 1300 – Wanderlust: Sex & Gender in Global Tourism
GSWS 1450 – Gender and Sustainability
GSWS 1610 – Queer and Feminist Media Art
GSWS 1715 – Feeding the Soul: Food, Gender and Religion
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) »Pitt Opportunities
You’ll have plenty of support and chances to get involved at CGS and the greater University community:
Campus Women’s Organization »
Connect with a student community focused on women’s issues, advocacy, and campus engagement.
Pitt Law Women’s Association »
Engage with programming and networking around women, gender, and the legal profession.
Center for LGBT Health Research »
Explore research and resources dedicated to the health and well-being of LGBT communities.
Rainbow Alliance »
Get involved with Pitt’s LGBTQ+ student organization for community, support, and advocacy.
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.