When you major in women’s and gender studies you will study women, gender and sexuality by investigating the lives of women as writers and scholars, artists and activists, public figures and private citizens, in the past and the present. You will also study gender more broadly, which means you will look at feminine, masculine and queer identities across time and cultures in order to understand how gender signifies relationships of power.
Your core classes will include Introduction to Women's & Gender Studies; Women, Gender, and Health; Introduction to LGBTQ/Sexuality Studies; Activism and Feminist Communities; Sexuality and Power; Sex & Gender Around the Globe; Feminist Theories, Feminists' Perspectives; and a senior seminar.
Beyond that, dive deep into upper-level elective courses like:
- African-American Women's History
- LGBTQ Drama and Popular Culture
- Native American Women Writers
- Women and Politics
- Religion, Gender, and Sexuality
Academics + Experience = Opportunities
Complement academic preparation with experiential learning, creating more opportunities after graduation. Talk to an academic advisor and a career coach about making the most of your time at Nebraska.
Four-year success plan
What to do each year
Catalog
Major requirements and courses
Printable summary
With sample four-year schedule
Transferrable Career Skills
- Advocate for marginalized or underrepresented groups
- Analyze and interpret difficult texts
- Communicate clearly using different forms of writing to and for a variety of different audiences
- Compose convincing arguments and present logical information
- Contextualize political, social, and historical events
- Evaluate human behavior and explain social phenomena
- Examine problems from multiple perspectives
- Gain global perspective and high levels of intercultural awareness
- Listen actively and facilitate individual and group communication
- Offer empathetic, sensitive, and patient interactions with others
Experience
Experience is valuable and goes beyond the classroom. We strive to help you connect your academics with research, internships, education abroad, service learning and leadership experiences in women's and gender studies, such as:
- Interning with Planned Parenthood of the Heartland
- Learn more about internships
- Researching domestic violence in literature
- Learn more about undergraduate research
- Studying abroad in Greece
- Learn more about education abroad
- Leading peers as the president of the Students Advocating Gender Equity (SAGE) student organization
- Learn more about getting involved in student organizations
- Serving in the university’s Women’s Center
- Learn more about service learning
Opportunities
Your women’s and gender studies major provides valuable interdisciplinary training, appealing to employers and higher education programs alike. With coursework and experiences such as working for human rights and justice, traveling abroad to gain new perspectives, or taking advantage of an internship in any number of industries, you will be prepared for anything. You could pursue a position as a counselor, social worker, health care professional, editor or teacher. You could also pursue graduate programs in a variety of disciplines or obtain a law or medical degree.
Examples of Alumni Careers
- Associate Attorney, Kinsey Rowe Becker and Kistler, LLP
- Case Manager, Center Pointe
- Editor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Field Director, Kiley For Kids
- Mentor for the Highly Gifted, Lincoln Public Schools
- Office Associate, University Health Center Counseling
- Program Specialist, Girl Scouts
- Rural Advocate, Voices Of Hope
- Therapeutic Mentor, St. Monica’s Behavioral Health Services For Women
Examples of Graduate Schools Attended by Alumni
- Master's Degree, Social Service Administration, The University of Chicago
- Master's Degree, Public Administration, University of Nebraska-Omaha
- Ph.D., Sociology, University of Nebraska-Omaha
- Medical Doctor, University Of Nebraska Medical Center
“My favorite course I have taken within this program is Intro to Women's and Gender Studies. We read about some great women and I learned a lot of interesting information I had not known before. The professor, Dr. Shari Stenberg, was passionate about the materials she taught and my fellow classmates had some great insights.”
Allison Buell
Women's and Gender Studies at Nebraska
Women's and gender studies is an interdisciplinary major in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Our liberal arts degrees provide a broad education across the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, preparing students for a variety of careers.
Let curiosity move you.
Contact Us
Academic and Career Advising Center
107 Oldfather Hall
402-472-4190
casadvising@unl.edu