COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Women’s Studies at The University of Alabama is an interdisciplinary graduate program designed to prepare students for advanced academic work and professional engagement in fields that address gender, race, and social justice. The program emphasizes feminist theory, critical analysis, and research training that equips graduates for doctoral study in humanities, social sciences, or related disciplines, as well as applied careers in law, education, business, health care, counseling, social work, and nonprofit leadership. It also supports those working in public sector or advocacy roles by strengthening their ability to analyze systems of inequality and contribute to policy and institutional change. The curriculum requires a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours at the 500 level or above and is structured around a 12-hour core that introduces foundational feminist perspectives, including courses such as Introduction to Women’s Studies, Feminist Theory, Teaching Gender and Race, and Black Feminism. Students then build specialized knowledge through electives in Women’s Studies and related disciplines, allowing them to tailor their studies to specific academic or professional goals. Two completion paths are available: Plan I (thesis) and Plan II (non-thesis). Plan I requires six hours of thesis research and emphasizes independent scholarly work culminating in a research-based thesis that demonstrates analytical depth and methodological skill. Plan II replaces the thesis with a comprehensive examination taken near the end of the program, requiring students to synthesize and critically respond to major themes across their coursework. In both plans, students must maintain strong academic performance, typically earning at least a B in all courses. The comprehensive exam, when required, evaluates students’ ability to engage with feminist theory and interdisciplinary scholarship over multiple days. Overall, the program is designed to build strong theoretical grounding, research competence, and critical thinking skills, preparing graduates for both continued academic advancement and impactful professional careers focused on equity and social transformation.