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Graduate Portfolio in LGBTQ Studies

Introduction

(*Available to UT Austin students enrolled in graduate programs outside the Center for Women's & Gender Studies.)

Please read entire webpage carefully.

The Graduate Portfolio Certificate Program in Women's and Gender Studies builds upon the Center’s rich and broad-based expertise across disciplines and schools/colleges. The program brings together graduate students and faculty from all over campus, and fosters cross-disciplinary dialogue, research and study. Portfolio students develop a specialization unique to their own program of work through LGBTQ Studies-approved courses, scholarly papers, and presentations. An in-house certificate is awarded to those who meet the requirements of the "WGS Portfolio Program with LGBTQ Studies Track." 

Students enrolled in the WGS Portfolio program may be nominated for annual WGS graduate awards and may apply for $100.00 in CWGS travel funds, if presenting a paper at an academic conference.

Eligibility

To participate in the Graduate Portfolio Program in Women's and Gender Studies with a specialization in LGBTQ Studies, prospective students must be newly admitted or currently enrolled in a graduate program at The University of Texas at Austin with a minimum 3.0 grade-point average. Each semester, graduate courses that count for the portfolio are identified in the university's Course Schedule by WGS 303 and WGS 335. Graduate courses that count for the WGS Portfolio with LGBTQ Studies Track are listed on the LGBTQ Studies page or, in the WGS Pink Book (2014-2016).

The Graduate Portfolio in Women's and Gender Studies is not a degree program; however, it allows graduate students to obtain a credential in a cross-disciplinary area of inquiry while completing the requirements for a master's or doctoral degree in their home department. Students may enter the WGS Portfolio at any point in their graduate work, but it is recommended that they do so as soon as they decide to pursue the portfolio.

Applications for the WGS Portfolio must be approved by the portfolio program coordinator. Questions about which graduate courses count for the portfolio should be directed to the Sawyer Tedder, LGBTQ Studies Program Coordinator.

Requirements

Application:

Students interested in developing a portfolio must complete the online application form. Students must also submit a a paragraph on how WGS fits into their academic experience and how they will benefit from the WGS Portfolio; or the importance of a particular specialization in WGS to the student's graduate program/career goals.

Click here for the Online Application

"WGS Portfolio with LGBTQ Studies Track" Requirements:

 

  • Fill out the WGS Portfolio program application, specify "WGS Portfolio Program with LGBTQ Studies Track"
  • Students who choose the "WGS Portfolio Program with LGBTQ Studies Track" are required to subscribe to the general LGBTQ Studies listserv. To subscribe, please visit: https://utlists.utexas.edu/sympa/subscribe/lgbtq
  • Students who choose the "WGS Portfolio Program with LGBTQ Studies Track" are also required to subscribe to the WGS Graduate listserv. To subscribe, please visit: https://utlists.utexas.edu/sympa/subscribe/wgs-grads 

Requirements for Master's students: 

Completion of 3 courses that fall within the LGBTQ Studies subject area (WGS 303 and WGS 335), with 2 of the 3 courses from outside student's home department. Courses should be listed amongst the LGBTQ Studies course offerings, or approved by the LGBTQ Studies Director, Dr. Alison Kafer.  

Requirements for Doctoral students: 

Completion of 4 courses that fall within the LGBTQ/Sexualities subject area, 2 of the 4 courses from outside student's home department. Courses should be listed amongst the LGBTQ Studies course offerings, or approved by the LGBTQ Studies Director, Dr. Alison Kafer.  

For further information and advising regarding the LGBTQ Studies Track, please contact LGBTQ Studies Program Coordinator, Sawyer Tedder.

Additional Portfolio Requirements

  • In addition to the course requirements, students must present a scholarly paper one time at the annual CWGS Emerging Scholarship in Women's and Gender Studies Conference held during the spring semester. Moreover, students must attend this annual conference each year they are enrolled in the portfolio program.
  • Students must notify Sawyer Tedder, the LGBTQ Studies Program Coordinator on their progress. It is the student's responsibility to make sure they are completing the appropriate requirements.
  • Upon completion of requirements, students should notify Sawyer Tedder, the LGBTQ Studies Program Coordinator.

Certification

  • Upon completion of the Women's and Gender Studies Graduate Portfolio, the student's official university transcript will read, "Portfolio in Women's & Gender Studies." An in-house certificate is awarded for the "WGS Portfolio Program with LGBTQ Studies Track." Students are encouraged to note on their CVs that the Women's and Gender Studies Graduate Portfolio was completed with the LGBTQ Studies Track specialization. 

Contact

Infromation about LGBTQ Studies courses: Sawyer Tedder, LGBTQ Studies Program Coordinator

Approvals for LGBTQ Studies Track: Dr. Alison Kafer, LGBTQ Studies Director