Uncover underrepresented voices by majoring in gender, women, & sexuality studies. Through a flexible, interdisciplinary program, you'll engage with diverse human experiences that will enrich any career path you choose.
Issues of gender and sexuality are among the most significant and contested topics in society today. You'll be prepared to enter those conversations meaningfully when you major in gender, women, and sexuality studies (GWS).
From a core curriculum including Sex and Gender in Society and Feminist Theories and Methodologies, you'll have the flexibility to create a program that fits your unique interests. With courses in more than 10 disciplines to choose from, you'll constantly be engaging with new perspectives.
Plus, you'll gain invaluable resources from the country's only accredited Human Sexuality Studies graduate program. You'll grow your knowledge and network in this exciting new field that undergraduates rarely have access to.
Encouraged by professors who create an inclusive classroom, you'll engage in research, internships, travel, and community service opportunities to fully explore how issues of gender and sexuality affect us all.
View the Loading... for curriculum and coursework requirements for a gender, women, and sexuality studies major.
View the Loading... for curriculum and coursework requirements for a gender, women, and sexuality studies minor.
Students may earn a BSW/BA in social work/gender, women, & sexuality studies.
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Widener's pre-professional pathways give you the flexibility to follow your interests while preparing for a professional career.
Gender, women, and sexuality studies majors can participate in the following pathways:
Applying to Widener is easy—and free! Simply complete our Widener Application or the Common Application. You'll also need your official high school transcript and either an admissions essay or your SAT/ACT scores. We're a test-optional school, so there's no need to submit both.
Know you're interested in applying to Widener but unsure if you're ready to zero-in on a major? You can apply as an Exploratory Studies student with an undecided major. This program will help you start your college journey on the right foot while you explore which undergraduate program is the right fit for you.
We accept applications on a rolling basis—there are no hard deadlines. Apply when you're ready and we'll take a look as soon as we receive your app.
Key dates to keep in mind:
Once we receive your application and all materials, you can expect to hear back from us quickly. Along with your application decision, you'll also find out about any merit-based scholarship awards. You're automatically considered for merit scholarships as soon as you apply—you don't need to apply separately.
If you apply before November 1, you are considered an Early Action applicant which comes with benefits like:
All applications are non-binding, so why wait? Apply today!
Our admissions team will help you make the most of college-level credits earned after high school. We maintain strong partnerships and articulation agreements with numerous local community colleges and also accept a wide range of course credits earned at accredited colleges and universities.
Curious about how many credits may transfer? Email your transcripts to transfer@widener.edu and our transfer coordinator will personally review your coursework as an unofficial credit evaluation. Applicants are given priority during busy seasons, but you don't have to apply to work with our transfer coordinator.
Transferring doesn't have to be a guessing game—share your stats and we'll take it from there!
Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.
Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process.
This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.
An education in gender, women, and sexuality studies will enhance your critical thinking skills and give you well-rounded insight into the rich diversity of human experience.
Because Widener houses the only accredited master's and PhD programs in Human Sexuality Studies in the country, you'll have access to resources most undergrads only dream of. From the extensive Sexuality Archives to the Sexuality and Aging conference, you'll be at the forefront of groundbreaking research as early as your freshman year.
Create a major that fits your goals. GWS courses draw from 10 disciplines across the university, making it easy to double-major in anything from English to economics to social work. With options to study abroad, participate in civic engagement projects, and conduct independent research, you'll constantly be engaging in meaningful, real-world experiences.
GWS faculty come from many distinct disciplines, so you'll have mentors that bring their unique expertise to the field of gender, women, and sexuality studies. Faculty have helped mentor students' conference presentations, find internships, do summer research, set up events on campus, and even appear on NPR. Anything is possible.
Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies majors have the opportunity to join various clubs and organizations across and outside of campus to expand their network, including the Iota Iota Iota - Women & Gender Studies National Honor Society, the Q&A Queer Zine, and many more.
Widener’s Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies program and the Wolfgram Memorial Library's Sexuality Archives secured $10,000 from the Council of Independent Colleges to fund undergraduate research.
Gender, women, & sexuality studies affect all aspects of modern life. With an interdisciplinary education in GWS at Widener, you'll be prepared to bring an informed knowledge of diverse human experiences to any career you take on.
Kapelski Learning Center, Room 323