The undergraduate program in Gender Studies at Queen’s offers courses in feminist, anti-racist, Indigenous, postcolonial, queer, transgender, and social justice studies. Students learn how these theories/areas relate to tracing histories of oppression and privilege, engaging with popular culture, and critically analyzing everyday events. From research papers and blogs, to theatre performance and presentation, students work on meticulous research, clear and thoughtful writing, and high-quality public speaking. Our courses span the arts and social sciences to produce a truly interdisciplinary program, one that prepares students for a broad range of careers.
Whether in our international exchange program in Oslo, Norway, or in our local community-based activism practicum, we prepare our students to be global citizens. With a strong core and over 35 cross-appointed faculty from 21 different departments, Gender Studies provides breadth, depth and challenge. GNDS also administers a Certificate Program in Sexual and Gender Diversity (SXGD) open to students in all degree plans.
Top 5 Reasons to study Gender Studies:
“Taking Gender Studies classes introduced me to a discipline that combined academics with activism, passion with purpose, and took an intersectional approach to discussing axis of identity and oppression.”
-Laura Hughes, BAH ‘13
Major in Gender Studies
A major is an intensive course of study in one discipline, with approximately half of your courses within the discipline with room for an optional minor in any other Arts and Science discipline.
Medial in Gender Studies
A dual course of study in Gender Studies and any other Arts discipline.
Minor in Gender Studies
A minor is a less intensive course of study in the discipline that must be combined with a major in another discipline.
Internship option available
For a full list of Degree Plans, see the Academic Calendar
Gender Studies - MA
Alumni Career Statistics
Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary program combining the arts and social sciences and working with both historical and contemporary materials. The field is attentive to the sex-gender spectrum, to anti-racism, and to decolonization, as well as to critical thinking, and to creative and professional self-expression. Our job placement is outstanding and our graduates work in some of the following areas:
Where could Genders students go after graduation?
Taking time to explore career options, build experience and network can help you have a smooth transition to the world of work after graduation. Note: Some of these careers may require additional training.
The Sexual and Gender Diversity Certificate Program offers you the opportunity to think through and engage with your particular scholarly interests — from nursing, art history, law, political and religious studies to music, kinesiology or languages from the vantage point of sexualities or queer/trans gender issues. At a time when sexual minority concerns are on the public agenda, the Certificate Program provides an academic context for you to participate in these discussions. More now than ever, a certificate in SXGD can provide you with knowledge and skills you can take to careers such as journalism, family planning, mediation, counseling, social work, adult education, arts administration, writing, publishing, politics, social policy, law, medicine, engineering, human rights, or advanced studies in your disciplinary concentration. This Certificate is available to all undergraduate students regardless of their degree concentration.
Delivery Mode: On-campus
Number of Units: 30 units (5-10 courses)
Open to:
Students considering adding the Certificate in Geographic Information Science to their degree program should consult as soon as possible with the Department of Geography and Planning.
Simply send an email to the Student Services Team in Arts and Science and they will get it added to your student account.
Simply send an email to the Student Services Team in Arts and Science and they will get it added to your student account.
Would you like to be a GNDS exchange student and go to the Centre for Gender Research at the University of Oslo in Norway for one term?
“Looking back on my Queen’s experience, my immediate memories are not of moving day, football games in tricolour, or of the sunny afternoons spent by Lake Ontario. When I think of my time at Queen’s what I remember most is feeling a sense of acceptance and belonging in my first Gender Studies class. Taking a few Gender Studies courses in my first two years at Queen’s introduced me to a discipline that combined academics with activism, passion with purpose, and took an intersectional approach to discussing axis of identity and oppression. I had found my space; I felt at home.”
Laura Hughes: Gender Studies ’13
Niqab Bans, #blacklivesmatter, GamerGate—what are the realitites behind the hashtags and headlines? Gender, Race and Popular Culture explores what’s happening right now. Histories matter too, examined from many angles. Study LGBTQ+ representation and politics in Introductory or Advanced SXGD courses. Discover how we wear our histories in Gender, Dress and Fashion, and Racism, Colonialism and Resistance.
Students apply to Queen’s Arts (QA) through the OUAC (Ontario Universities Application Centre) website (ouac.on.ca). Secondary School prerequisites include six 4U and 4M courses, including a minimum of three 4U courses, one of which must be ENG4U. Applicants outside of Ontario may have additional requirements. Visit queensu.ca/admission for additional information regarding requirements and admission to Queen's.
Gender Studies (BAH)
OUAC Code:
QA (Kingston Campus)
QB (Concurrent Education, Kingston Campus)
QIA (The Castle)
QIB (Concurrent Education, The Castle)
See Full Admission Requirements
After first year, in May, students will declare their area of study (major, minor, specialization, e.g.). The thresholds are competitive year to year and do change. The 2017-18 thresholds for Gender Studies are: open PENDING LIST or 1.9 Cumulative GPA and a Minimum C- in GNDS 1## for AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE.
In keeping with the Queen’s commitment to global engagement, the MA in Gender Studies emphasizes the ways in which women, gender and politics are informed by questions of racism, colonialism, and globalization. Key areas focus on the intersections of: gender, sexualities and feminist politics; migratory and (post)colonial cultures (indigenous, global and diasporic); labour, class, and location; and, cultural representation. The program is both cutting-edge and attendant to the traditional scholarly strengths of gender studies and women’s studies. Courses, research queries and discussions encourage interdisciplinarity, and support new ways of looking at issues of sex/gender.
Future students looking to do intense scholarly research related to the areas mentioned above will excel in the MA. Research-oriented coursework and thesis will provide a foundation for work at the doctoral level or in social services, business or government. The MA program meets current societal needs, complements extant programs in Ontario, and fits well within the context of graduate studies at Queen’s. The resources of the Department and the University will support incoming MA candidates.
The Graduate Program in Gender Studies offers a one-year MA option. Keeping with our commitment to engaging theoretically rigorous and activist-minded studies of gender, the one-year MA will involve intense course work and a major research paper (as well as practicum option for interested students). In order to facilitate this transition smoothly, all incoming students—including those applying for Fall 2015 admission—will be applying for the one-year MA option. Students who wish to consider a two-year thesis option must apply for this in December of their first year of candidacy. Learn more
For queries regarding the Graduate Program, please contact our Graduate Assistant, Terrie Easter Sheen terrie.eastersheen@queensu.ca or 613-533-6000 ext 75397.
Certainly it is true that “A” students tend to get scholarships. But it is important to remember that many of our scholarships use grades as just one criterion when assessing you for scholarships: research experience, job experience, and evidence of communication, leadership and interpersonal skills are all important components.
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