Why study this program?
The Department of Women’s and Gender Studies offers a program in Gender and Social Justice Studies (GSJ) leading to the degree of Master of Arts. The Department of Women’s and Gender Studies is a well-established, interdisciplinary unit housed in the Faculty of Arts. It draws from a strong, broad-based community of feminist and gender studies scholars in one of Canada’s top research universities. Core faculty conduct research in the areas of feminist legal studies, gendered violence, gender and development, gender and immigration, sexuality and queer studies, feminist theory, feminist visual culture, feminist cultural studies, feminist philosophy, feminist history, religious studies and trauma and cultural memory studies.
The course-based Master of Arts in Gender and Social Justice is offered by itself or in conjunction with a specialization within the Digital Humanities Program.
Detailed graduate program information is available on the Department’s homepage at www.wgs.ualberta.ca
Entrance Requirements
Normally, the Department’s minimum admission requirements are a BA in Women’s Studies or a related discipline with an admission GPA of at least 3.3 on the 4- point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
Where applicable, a minimum TOEFL score of 92 (internet-based) or equivalent is required (see English Language Requirement).
Applicants are also required to submit a CV, statement of research interest, a writing sample, and to arrange for three letters of reference.
Potential applicants, including non-traditional students, are encouraged to contact the Graduate Coordinator of the department at gsj@ualberta.ca to discuss their qualifications.
Applicants considering a specialization in Digital Humanities must meet both the minimum entrance requirements for the MA program in Gender and Social Justice and for the Digital Humanities (DH) Program. Applications are first reviewed by the Graduate Committee in Gender and Social Justice, and, if successful at that stage, are forwarded to DH for its review process.
The Department of Women’s and Gender Studies encourages applicants to submit their applications by January 15 to be considered for admission, awards, and graduate assistantship funding.
Program requirements
The MA in Gender and Social Justice Studies can be completed as a thesis-based degree, or as a course-based degree.
Coursework:
- GSJ 501 (3 units) - Praxis Workshop, which includes a mandatory Community Service-Learning component and
- GSJ 502 (3 units) - Research Workshop
- Four 3-unit graduate-level courses
- Additional coursework may be required
- Students who have not already taken a course in Feminist Research Methodologies (or the equivalent) will normally be required to audit WGS 302 in addition to their other courses.
- Students also may be required to take a theory course, if adequate coverage was not obtained in the student’s first degree.
- Students must complete minimum of 12 units of courses in GSJ
- Graduate courses offered by other departments may be taken with the consent of the Graduate Coordinator; thesis-based students may only take 6 units in courses outside of GSJ.
Course-based MA
The course based MA can be taken in Gender and Social Justice Studies or with a specialization in Digital Humanities.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 24 units in coursework, including a 3-unit capping project.
Coursework
- GSJ 501 (3 units) - Praxis Workshop, which includes a mandatory Community Service-Learning component and
- GSJ 502 (3 units) - Research Workshop
- Five 3-unit graduate-level courses
- Additional coursework may be required
- Students who have not already taken a course in Feminist Research Methodologies (or the equivalent) will normally be required to audit WGS 302 in addition to their other courses.
- Students also may be required to take a theory course, if adequate coverage was not obtained in the student’s first degree.
- Students must complete minimum of 12 units of courses in GSJ
- Graduate courses offered by other departments may be taken with the consent of the Graduate Coordinator; course-based students may only take 9 units in courses outside of GSJ.
- Students admitted to the course-based MA with a specialization in Digital Humanities are required to complete 9 units in courses in DH.
Capping Project
- GSJ 900 (3 units) – Directed Research Project. The required capping project is a portfolio – a synthesizing document that highlights students’ learning in the program and that will include a major research paper, a field statement, a creative project or a policy/program/legal analysis.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the MA will vary with the program (thesis- or course-based) and the candidate. Full-time students in the course-based MA program will normally complete the program within 12 months, while those enrolled in the thesis-based program will normally complete within 24 months. However, the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies recognizes that many of its students are non-traditional and that part-time registration may be their preferred option.
The maximum time to complete the thesis-based MA program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is four years.
The maximum time to complete the course-based MA program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is six years.
Courses
Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings, under the subject heading Gender and Social Justice Studies (GSJ).
Financial assistance in the form of graduate assistantships (normally teaching assistantships or research assistantships) for full-time MA students may be available.
Scholarships and bursaries may also be available, and some supervisors may support students from operating funds.
For further information about awards, scholarships, and financial assistance, please contact the Graduate Coordinator of the department and consult the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies website.
For general information, please visit the Tuition and Fees page on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research site.The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research administers over $29 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for graduate students, as well as financial and loan advising. Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.
Please refer to the detailed program information or email gsjgrad@ualberta.ca.
General inquiriesPlease check out some of our most frequently asked questions (FAQS) to see if your question has been answered, or contact the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) during our office hours.
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR)
Killam Centre for Advanced Studies
2-29 Triffo Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E1