MA Admissions
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Thank you for your interest in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies! Click on this link to read our letter to potential applicants. Be sure to read all pages of the "Graduate Program" section on our website.
Take a moment to read the Official Graduate Catalog description of our programs. The Graduate Catalog contains degree requirements for all graduate programs, rules that affect graduate students, and a list of Graduate Studies Committee members who can supervise graduate research in our department.
A link to our WGSS Graduate Program Handbook is available here.
Please read the Overview of the application process (below) for the detailed instructions. Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are at the bottom of the page.
You can find Admissions and Enrollment Statistics for all Graduate Programs at UT Austin here. You will need to scroll down to "Liberal Arts" and then find "Women's and Gender Studies" beneath that. (The degree name is is slightly different from our department name, pending updates.) UT Austin here. You will find "Women's and Gender Studies" under "Liberal Arts".
Overview
Annual Deadline December 1st
The Women’s and Gender Studies Graduate Admissions Committee reviews applications and makes offers of acceptance to between 4 and 10 applicants each year. The smaller size of the incoming MA cohort provides each student with personal attention, opportunities for funding and professional development, and fosters a sense of community among our students and faculty. When reviewing an application, the graduate admissions committee considers all elements in the application file, including the statement of purpose, the writing sample, and the letters of recommendation.
Application for Admission
The Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies accepts applications for the fall semester only. The application deadline is December 1st. Please do not submit items other than those requested. Application materials are collected online through the Supplemental Documents Upload System "Admissions Document Upload". Please preview the online application instructions from the Graduate School here: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions/apply
Applicants will be able to monitor which materials have been submitted via the Check My Status tool, after they have paid their application fee.
All applicants must meet the following qualifications:
- A bachelor's degree granted before the entering fall semester
- 3.0 GPA or higher on all upper-division and graduate coursework
The ONLINE APPLICATION is divided into two sections:
- Office of Graduate Admissions (OGA) via the Graduate School Application for Admission form.
- Women's and Gender Studies Graduate Admissions via the Supplemental Documents Upload System.
The applicant is responsible for both sections. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
- Students seeking admission to a dual degree master's program (MA/MSIS or MA/MPAff) must submit materials required by each graduate program. Applicants identify their interest in the Dual Degree program by selecting the dual degree program code on the online Graduate School Application for Admission form website. These are listed in a separate "Dual Degree Programs" section at the bottom of the list of majors. The School of Information and the LBJ School of Public Affairs use the same PDF upload module to receive and review documents. Please note that the School of Information and the LBJ School of Public Affairs may have different deadlines from WGSS!
Submitting Your Application
Part 1: The following will be used to create your electronic admissions application with the university's Office of Graduate Admissions (OGA):
- Graduate School Application for Admission form
Make sure you choose the correct degree program and code. If you are applying to a Dual Degree program, these are listed in a separate "Dual Degree Programs" section at the bottom of the list of majors. You will need to scroll down. Be sure to choose the appropriate major. Applications with incorrect degree codes may not be processed. All programs are listed separately. Scroll until you find the appropriate degree program and code. If you need to change the degree code on an application, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.- WGS MA only: Degree Code 93300
- WGS/INF, MA/MSIS: Dual Degree Code 93310
- WGS/PA, MA/MPAff: Dual Degree Code 93320
- GRE results*
- GRE not required for WGS MA only and WGS/INF students
- GRE is required for students applying to the dual WGS/PA program because GRE is required for MPAff degree
- Scores must be sent from ETS to the OGA electronically. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) code for the University of Texas at Austin is 6882.
- TOEFL (if applicable)*
- Three letters of recommendation
If you have questions for OGA, please contact them directly: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions/contact
Part 2: The following should be submitted electronically (via the Admissions Document Upload) to the Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Graduate Program:
- You will need to complete and submit the Graduate School Application for Admission form in order to gain access to the Supplemental Documents Upload System (PDF upload module).
- WGS Graduate Program Application Cover Sheet (PDF): Pages 1-2, (sometimes referred to as the Supplemental Information Form) includes helpful checklist. Don't forget your signature.
- Statement Of Purpose/Personal Statement: Please address the following questions below (500-750 words, double-spaced):
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I. What led you to your interest in pursuing a degree in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies?
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II. What are your professional and career goals, and how would a WGSS degree help you achieve them?
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III. Describe the kinds of work you would like to do in the WGSS program at UT. What topics, methods, and/or questions motivate you? After reviewing the list of faculty affiliated with the Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of Texas at Austin (https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/cwgs/faculty-research/), explain which professors and/or areas of study spark your scholarly interests.
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If you are applying to a dual degree program, your statement should also address their writing prompts and questions.
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- Scholarly Writing Sample (15-25 pages)
- Resume/CV (Honors, Research Experience, Activities, Career, etc.)
- Transcript(s)
Applicants will be able to monitor which materials have been submitted via the Check My Status tool, after they have paid their application fee.
If you have trouble using the PDF upload module, please contact the WGS Graduate Coordinator directly: ajsalcedo@austin.utexas.edu
Part 3: If you are applying for a Dual Degree Master's Program (MA/MSIS or MA/MPAff),
You must also submit required materials to the other program's graduate office. Your application should specify Dual Degree Programs are listed in a separate "Dual Degree Programs" section on the list of majors. You may need to scroll to the bottom. Please note that their application and admission deadlines may be different than WGSS. The dual degree programs use the earliest applicable deadline.
Contact the university's School of Information and the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs for more information about the dual degree admission process.
Part 4: Dual Admission to WGSS MA and African and African Diaspora Studies PhD Programs
The Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies and the Department of African and African Diaspora Studies share several faculty and many interests and programs. In order to strengthen these networks and support Black feminist and queer studies scholarship, we have developed a sequential MA/PhD program. Select applicants will be admitted to enroll in the MA Program in Women’s & Gender Studies, with a deferred admission to the PhD program African and African Diaspora Studies upon completion of the WGS Master’s Degree (in two years). Questions can be directed to Annie Brookover ann.brookover@austin.utexas.edu (Graduate Coordinator, AADS).
Graduate Coordinator
Sawyer Tedder - send email
Related Links:
- Do I need an undergraduate degree in Gender Studies in order to join your graduate program?
We have applicants with different undergraduate backgrounds. The application needs to demonstrate the ability to frame a relevant program of study in the interdisciplinary field of women’s, gender and sexuality studies, but a degree in WGSS specifically is not required.
- Can I get more advice about my application materials?
Submit a strong writing sample. Past successful applicants have submitted essays written for undergraduate or graduate courses or papers presented at a conference. A successful writing sample will demonstrate:
- Understanding of the field of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies;
- Readiness to learn intersectional feminist theories and research methods;
- Ability to suggest a potential research project (master's thesis, report, or capstone project, depending on the degree path you choose), although once admitted, you are free to explore and revise your topic
Scholarly research should be based on primary sources or scholarly secondary sources. Your sample should demonstrate your analytical writing and critical thinking skills. (If you do not have a paper that is at least 15 pages long, you may submit two papers in order to meet the page length requirement.)
- How do I know if you received my application materials?
You can use "Check My Status" to see if you have any remaining materials. https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/adm/mystatus/
- Where can I find information on application fee waivers?
There is information on admission application fee waivers here from the University of Texas at Austin. You need only pay one UT application fee per year, so if you plan to apply to different programs/majors at the same time, you will only need to pay the application fee once. Fee waivers for the GRE are administered by ETS.
- I am required.I am required.
- I'm already a student at UT Austin in a different graduate program. Can I switch to WGSS?
Yes, current or returning UT Austin graduate students who wish to be considered for admission to a different graduate program may apply via the change of major application.
- What is a Dual Degree program?
A dual degree program allows you to earn two degrees simultaneously. The Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies offers a dual degree with Information Studies (MA/MSIS), or Public Affairs (MA/MPAff).
- What can I do with the WGS MA degree?
A WGS MA degree gives you many options. Many of our graduates go onto PhD programs, or remain in the education field. Others work in non-profit and advocacy organizations, or find careers in the private sector. While at UT Austin, you are eligible to work with Liberal Arts Career Services and the Graduate School's Career Resources to design your professional trajectory.
- How long does the WGS MA degree take to complete?
The degree requirements are listed here. The WGS MA degree is a two-year, full-time, residential program. Three classes (or 9 hours) is considered full-time for graduate students at UT Austin during the long semesters. At UT Austin, an academic year has a Fall and a Spring "long" semester, and a shorter summer semester that can contain first session, second session, or whole session classes. The WGS MA program can be completed in two academic years without summer classes.
- Do you have a PhD program?
The University of Texas at Austin does not have a Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies PhD program at this time. Many of our graduates go on to apply successfully to PhD programs in related disciplines at UT Austin and elsewhere.
- Do you offer an online program?
No.
- What kind of topics do your faculty research?
You can use our faculty page to view faculty by rank and home department/field of study. You can also use the EUREKA database to search by topic, research interest, or keyword.
- What kind of projects have your MA students done?
We have an archive of Thesis projects produced by our students. The faculty committees are listed on the first few pages of each project.
- How competitive is the program?
We receive an average of 30 applications per year, and make between 3 and 6 admissions offers per year. WGSS offers all admitted students funding support for two years of study (Fall and Spring semesters).
- When can I expect a decision on my application?
Our admission committee hopes to make decisions by late February/early March.
- What type of funding is available?
There are In-state Tuition Waviers, Fellowships, TAships, and GAships. The WGS Admissions Committee uses application materials to match admitted students to funding opportunities. All admitted students are automatically considered for funding. You can find out more on our Funding page.
- What does a funding package look like?
We offer admitted students support via fellowships or teaching assistantships. Either award includes in-state tuition for Fall and Spring, tuition assistance, and a monthly stipend. You can find out more on our Funding page. This is separate from Federal Financial Aid (student loans or federal grants). All students can apply for Federal Financial Aid through the UT Financial Aid Office with the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Some summer funding is available, but we can't guarantee funding for all students during the summers. To receive summer funding, students must be registered for at least one class and in residence at UT Austin.
- What is the cost of living in Austin?
The UT Financial Aid Office has more information on Cost of Attendance, and the UT Tuition Office allows you to calculate tuition (full-time for graduate students is 9 hours per semester in Fall and Spring), and compare UT Tuition to other schools. You can also compare Cost of Living with other cities. Another fun tool is Should I Move for Work?
- If I am an international applicant, can I be exempt from the TOEFL exam?
International applicants who are from a country where English is the only official language are exempt from this requirement. Additionally, applicants are exempt from the requirement if they possess a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution or an institution in a country where English is the only official language. You can contact Graduate Admissions for clarification on test scores: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions/contact International applicants can take either the TOEFL, or the Academic Examination of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
- What other resources do you have for international students?
The International Office's International Student and Scholar Services offers financial information specifically for students coming to the United States from other countries. International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) Office lists a few resources for international students regarding financial support including scholarships and fellowships. Most of our international students have had external fellowships from outside organizations such as the Ford Foundation and Fulbright Foundation. Detailed instructions on how to apply for admission are also provided by the Graduate School; please review them thoroughly.
