Undergraduate Women's and Gender Studies

Women's and Gender Studies

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When you major in women’s and gender studies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, you’ll explore the lives and contributions of women, LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized communities, from past to present. Learn to analyze structures of power and systems of inequity that shape cultural understandings of gender and how it intersects with other identities. Prepare for a career in law, healthcare, business, politics or advocacy.
  • College

  • Hours Required

    120 credit hours
  • Minors Available

    Women’s and Gender Studies, LGBTQ/Sexuality Studies 

The Nebraska Difference

Curiosity

Discover what moves you with a diverse blend of academic disciplines.

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Flexibility & Choice

Customize your degree with course choices. Add a minor or second major.

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Hands-On Experience

Build knowledge, skills and experience in and out of the classroom.

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Limitless Career Paths

Connect your major, interests and goals to any field.

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Program Features

Focus and Range 

Dive deep into your women's and gender studies major while taking a wide variety of courses across all areas in the College of Arts and Sciences. Graduate academically well-rounded and eager to keep learning. Use your collaboration and communication skills to address complex problems and make a positive impact professionally and personally.

1-to-1 Academic Advising and Career Coaching 

Along with your faculty, professional academic advisors and career coaches will help you make a one-of-a-kind degree plan. We are focused on your success, while at Nebraska and after graduation, whether your goal is employment or graduate/professional school.

Interdisciplinary Learning 

Select from a variety of courses that span both the humanities and the social and behavioral sciences. Learn about the contributions of women and analyze the construction and representation of gender in the arts, literature, history, psychology, education, contemporary culture, politics and society. 

Students learn in a lecture hall setting.

Notable Courses

Women, Gender, and Health (WMNS 202)

Historical experiences of women within health. Societal constructs of gender in the field of health. Feminist critiques of health and gender.

Activism and Feminist Communities (WMNS 210)

Intersection of service learning and activism with feminist theories. This course meets the experiential learning requirement.

Sex and Gender Around the Globe (WMNS 250)

Investigate the roles gender plays in complex issues of migration, war, global economics, education, food, water, transport, family integrity, security and several other global issues.

LGBTQ Literature and Film (WMNS 312)

Analysis of a variety of works by lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and transgender writers and filmmakers. Significant literary, cultural, social and historical issues and themes.

Women in Popular Culture (WMNS 315B)

Relation between women's roles and popular images in the media, including romances, television shows, science fiction, and magazines, with attention to their historical development.

Religion, Gender, and Sexuality (WMNS 412)

Examination of how religion is used to shape, maintain and transform gender and sexuality in the U.S. and beyond.

Huskers Do Big Things

Internships

  • Intern, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland
  • Women's advocate intern, Friendship home
  • Education intern, Henry Doorly Zoo

Careers

  • Staff manager, Ross Media Arts Center
  • Event and social media coordinator, Behind the Glass Comic Art Gallery
  • Program specialist, Girl Scouts
  • Rural advocate, Voices of Hope
  • Therapeutic mentor, St. Monica's Behavioral Health Services for Women

Graduate Schools

  • Master’s degree, Education, College of Saint Mary
  • Master’s degree, Social Work & Criminology-Criminal Justice, University of Nebraska at Omaha
  • Master's degree, Social Service Administration, University of Chicago
  • Juris Doctor degree, University of Nebraska College of Law
  • Ph. D., Sociology, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Outside the Classroom

Depending on your major, interests and goals, you can choose to do research, work as an intern, study abroad, become a leader or serve your community. The university’s Experiential Learning requirement ensures you have at least one of these transformative learning experiences; students in the College of Arts and Sciences typically complete at least two.

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Academics & Experiential Learning

  • Our motto is Academics + Experience = Opportunities. Employers and graduate/professional schools are looking for students who have a strong academic background and hands-on experience.
  • Women’s and gender studies majors regularly engage in research or internships, and many study abroad or get involved in service or leadership on campus and beyond.
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Career Preparedness

  • CASC 200: Career Development in Arts and Sciences. Explore your interests, abilities and values while identifying career options and preparing to apply for internships, jobs or graduate/professional school.
  • Present research or creative work at the annual No Limits Conference.
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Community

  • Get involved in the Women’s Center as a volunteer or student worker.
  • Join the Student Alliance for Gender Equality and Sexual Health (SAGE+SH).

Have Questions? We're Here to Help

If you have questions about the Women's and Gender Studies major or navigating the application process, contact us.

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Contact Name
Nicholas Gordon
Contact Title
Director of Recruitment
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