This graduate certificate is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of gender and sexuality as social constructs and as objects of cultural analysis and critical discourse. By looking at gender and identity from multiple perspectives of literature, history, sociology, politics, science, cultural studies and the arts, the student will gain a deeper understanding of the construction of gender differences in relation to issues of race, ethnicity, class and sexuality, both in national and transnational contexts. Attention will be paid to the relationship between theory and practice, and historical and contemporary feminist theories will be viewed in terms of issues of social justice, gender equality, power and privilege, resistance and transformation, silence and voice, and national and global change.

Program Delivery and Tuition Rate

This certificate program is delivered through online courses and is billed at the non-MBA rate.

Admission 

Admission to this graduate certificate program is not competitive. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. 

Application Requirements 

A complete application includes: 

• Official transcripts with proof of a conferred bachelor’s degree 

Start Terms 

This program admits new students in the: 

• Fall 
• Spring 
• Summer 

Deadlines 

Application deadlines do change from term to term. For specific deadlines, please see the Graduate Admissions Deadline page. 

How to Apply 

To apply, visit the SUNY Empire application portal and select Graduate: https://www.sunyempire.edu/application.html 

Students may begin this 12-credit certificate in the fall, spring or summer terms. The required courses and suggested enrollment sequence are as follows:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
LACS 6095	Seminar in Women's & Gender Studies	3
LACS 6115	Feminist Theory	3
Two electives (3 cr. each) in topics in women’s and gender studies such as:		6
LACS 6130	Gender Race & Nation
LACS 6230	Modern Gender & Sexuality Through Science Fiction Literature
LACS 6100	Diagnosing Desire: Gender & Medicine in US History
LACS 6330	Women & Humor
LACS 6195	American Women Writers
LACS 6060	British Women Writers
LACS 6135	Global Feminist Movements
LACS 6270	Race and Gender in US History since the Civil War
Total Credits		12

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• Understand Women's and Gender Studies as a discipline over time
• Demonstrate knowledge of Feminist Theory, past and present
• Examine gender and sexuality as social constructs/objects in cultural analysis
• Engage in dialogue on current issues of diversity of race, ethnicity, class, and gender
• Apply theory to practice, and engage in social action