Majoring in Women's Studies

As an interdisciplinary degree, a Women’s Studies major uses subjects like history, economics, health, science and art to study the lives of women from a feminist perspective. It encourages the understanding of women’s contributions to society as well as promotes strong critical thinking skills that can prove to be valuable in many careers. A degree in women’s studies creates a foundation for equality and promoting change. 

Women’s Studies degrees will differ between schools with some focusing on politics and activism while others emphasize literature and art. When looking into programs, be sure to read each course description to get an idea of what focus the degree takes at each school.

Students in this major are taught how to mediate conflicts and misunderstandings that can come up because of gender differences, but they can also be used in many fields. 

Here are a few occupations and how Women’s Studies is used in their day to day work:

1. Clinical social workers help to provide fresh perspectives for their clients based on their understanding of the history of women’s roles in society. Connecting women in need to available resources is also important for them. 
2. Around the world, human rights advocates campaign for equality and justice. Some partner with organizations that monitor the treatment and advancement of women.
3. Women’s shelter directors are in charge of finding funding and support for their facilities as well as protecting the privacy and safety of their clients. They also meet with lawyers and law enforcement during certain court proceedings.
4. Lawyers who specialize in women’s issues tend to handle sensitive and deeply sensitive cases.
5. Those in public relations or marketing can offer unique perspectives into women’s interests and preferences which can affect how companies launch new services and products.
6. Those in film and television who studied Women’s Studies can promote equality in the industry, produce relevant content focused on women’s issues, etc.

There are also many jobs available in human resources, health, community development, government and more. There even has been a recent increase in the demand for those who specialize in Women’s Studies to work as consultants in higher education, government agencies, etc. You can find more information about career opportunities HERE on the website for Feminist Majority Foundation’s Job Board.

With this being a fairly new major, there aren’t many required courses for Women’s Studies majors. This allows freedom for students to learn about a myriad of subjects. Classes will vary from university to university, but most will include subjects like feminist theory, gender and society, women’s history and the history of sexuality.

Majoring in Women’s Studies is a great opportunity to look at the world from a feminist perspective. And it’s not just limited to women–men, those who identify as non-binary and those who in the LGBTQ+ community are often encouraged to take classes in this major. It is ideal for those who have an interest in social justice and want to work toward equality and empowerment for women while confronting their own assumptions about gender.