Women’s Studies is an interdisciplinary program that explores knowledge about women’s lives and experiences - both historically and in contemporary societies.  Women’s Studies courses analyze the contributions and importance of women in the development of human societies and bodies of knowledge, and challenge the errors of omission in traditional disciplines.  The certificate combines an emphasis on intellectual development with practical knowledge that prepares students to use their education to lead effective lives in the world.  We define education broadly, to include coursework, internships, and service learning, as well as preparation for professional work or further education.

Women’s Studies provides students with important background preparation to work in settings such as counseling, business, communications, public and community service, advocacy work, work for non-profit organizations, public health, and law.  Such careers may include domestic abuse or welfare rights advocacy, family counseling, sexual assault counseling, health care, human resources and public relations.

The credit certificate program consists of a cluster of credit courses that are part of the regular curriculum offered at UW-Washington County.

The Women’s Studies certificate will give students a focus on issues concerning women and gender within a variety of academic disciplines.  It can give cohesion to a student’s electives within the AAS degree, lead students to a specialization in the area of women’s studies for some employment purposes, or prepare them for a major or a minor in Women’s Studies at other UW institutions.

Requirements:
The Women’s Studies Certificate requires a minimum of 15 credits earned with a grade of C or better.  Up to 3 credits can be transferred from institutions outside the UW Colleges.

Credits for the Certificate must include the following:

1. WOM 101: An Introduction to Women’s Studies

2. A combination of 12 additional credits from the cross-listed courses offered in the Women’s Studies Program, with at least one course from each of the following categories:

Humanities
WOM 202: Feminist Philosophy (PHI 202)
WOM 279: Women in Literature (ENG 279)

Social Sciences
WOM 138: Sociological Perspectives on Gender Roles (SOC 138)
WOM 208: Psychology of Gender (PSY 208)
WOM 231: Feminism, Equality, and Public Policy (POL 231)
WOM 250: Women in Cross-Cultural Perspective (ANT 250)
WOM 280: Women in History (HIS 279)

Additional credits may be taken from the following courses:
WOM 291: Selected Topics in Women’s Studies*
WOM 299: Independent Study in Women’s Studies

*Other courses that could be substituted for WOM 291 might include:
ZOO 291: The Biology of Women
PED 291: Women’s Health
COM 291: Images of Women in Theater

Students may also earn credits toward the certificate from any course in a department that is offered for Women’s Studies credit on a one-time basis, for example, when ART 187 is offered with a focus on Feminist Art.

Additional Information:
Two other certificate programs are currently available at UW-Washington County:
1. Certificate in Business
2. Certificate in International Studies

Phone the Student Services Office at (262) 335-5201 or e-mail chris.beloin@uwc.edu or dan.cibrario@uwc.edu for more information about these certificate programs.