Graduate Minor in Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies
The nine-credit graduate minor adds GWS training to a master's degree at Appalachian State University. It's designed for students whose main program leaves fewer elective hours but who still want a grounding in the field.
Minor students take the same two core seminars as certificate students. They work alongside peers from other disciplines to study how gender, sexuality and power shape knowledge and social justice. One additional approved course completes the minor. Students can also gain experience preparing to teach GWS or working in a GWS internship.
The minor strengthens applications for further graduate study and pairs well with careers in education, policy, health care, counseling, social work, law and advocacy.
Program Structure
Required courses (6 credits): Feminist Thought and Seminar in Gender, Women's and Sexuality Studies
One additional 3-credit course (3 credits), chosen from the same approved options, when taught by GWS faculty on a gender, women's or sexuality topic
See the 2026-27 Graduate Bulletin for the complete course list.