About Our Programs

Fall 2024

Please visit this page to see the WGS MA Degree or Dual Degree Course Requirements.

The MA Program

Our WGS MA program is a two-year program. UT Austin has Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Students are not expected to attend during the Summer semesters. During the Fall and Spring semesters, 9 hours (or three 3-hour courses) is considered full time for a graduate student. The WGS MA program requires 36 hours of course work total. Students may choose between the MA Thesis and the MA Report as the capstone project during their second year of the program.

In addition to these course requirements, students are also required to present at the Annual WGS Student Conference at least once during their course of study.

Dual Degree Programs

Our dual-degree programs are three-year programs, and most students also take summer classes to complete their two degrees within three years.

MA/MSIS: The Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) and the School of Information (INF) offer a dual degree program combining training in information studies with study of the role that gender plays in shaping society. Graduates of the program are awarded a Master of Arts in Women's and Gender Studies and a Master of Science in Information Studies. Students in the program will be able to complete both degrees in three academic years (summers included) with a total of 60 credit hours. WGS/INF, MA/MSIS: Dual Degree Code 93310
MA/MPAff: This Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) and the LBJ School (P A) offer a dual degree program that responds to an increased need in the public, nonprofit and private sectors for specialists who have advanced training in policy analysis and leadership and management skills, as well a comprehensive understanding of women’s and gender issues. Students in the program will be able to complete both degrees in three academic years (summers included) with a total of 66 credit hours. WGS/PA, MA/MPAff: Dual Degree Code 93320

Students seeking admission to dual degree programs must apply through the Office of Graduate Admissions. Students apply to each individual program's graduate offices in order to be admitted to the dual program. Potential students may apply to the Dual Degree program using the dual degree code on the online Graduate School Application for Admission form website.

Applicants must be accepted by both admissions committees in order to attempt the dual degree. There is not a special application for the dual degree program (besides marking the appropriate program/major code on the Graduate School Application for Admission form website). Like all other graduate applicants, the student is responsible for submitting any additional information required by the Graduate Studies Committee for each program.

Each program (MSIS, MPAff, and WGS) has its own separate requirements in addition to the Graduate School Application for Admission form. Each program needs to be individually sent all the information for its own program. Since the MSIS, MPAff and WGS programs all have separate admissions committees, they cannot accept only one application with all the materials. Please keep them separate.

Destination: Austin, Texas!
Austin is a vibrant, varied city, with numerous educational, business and leisure resources. Austin is frequently numbered amongst the top ten U.S. cities for business vitality, including being ranked as one of the hottest job markets for young adults and one of the best cities for relocating singles. Austin is also considered one of the cleanest and healthiest cities in the U.S. Prevention magazine named Austin as the second best city in the country for fitness, citing the city’s good air quality, mild weather, beautiful parks and safe streets; and with Austin Energy’s GreenChoice program, Austin leads the nation in renewable energy usage. In addition to being the Capital of Texas, Austin has a justified reputation as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” So what’s not to love about Austin?

More information:
To learn more about UT’s Graduate School: Graduate School Brochure, Graduate Student Organizations, and About the Grad School.

Sawyer Tedder, M.Ed. sawyer.tedder@austin.utexas.edu (pronouns: they/them)
Senior Academic Program Coordinator
Department of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies, University of Texas at Austin

Applications for our Master's Programs must be received electronically by December 1st