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Thesis Track Option:

30 total hours: 24 hours of coursework, 6 hours of WGST 5950 (Thesis), and an oral thesis defense.

  • Students will choose a major professor prior to beginning their thesis, whom they will work closely with throughout the process. The major professor will assist in helping the student decide a topic, limiting its scope, conducting preliminary research, determining methodology, and preparing a thesis prospectus (a description of what the thesis will address). If the student is performing research which requires IRB, the major professor will assist with this as well.
  • Students will be expected to compose a committee that will include their major professor and two additional members (faculty in WGST or who are officially affiliated with the program).
  • After completing the thesis, students are expected to orally defend the project to the satisfaction of the major professor, as well as distribute the final thesis to committe members.
  • The student's thesis will be completed during the student's final two long semesters of enrollment.

Internship Option:

30 total hours: 27 hours of coursework, 3 hours of WGST 5850 (Internship), and written comprehensive examinations, taken during the Winter break/Summer break before their last semester of enrollment.

  • Completing an internship offers valuable hands-on experiences that enable students to glean an insider's perspective of a non-profit organization. Students who select this option will work with the program director (who will serve as their major professor) to copmplete their internship and accompanying program requirements. 
  • Students must complete at least 12 hours of graduate WGST coursework before enrolling in an internship. After which they will meet with the WGST program director, Dr. Morrissey, to determine expectations for the internship.
  • Students are expected to complete 50 hours of work per credit hour. Therefore, a student enrolled in three credit hours will complete 150 hours of internship work (10 hours/week) throughout their semester.
  • Students will also be expected to recieve a written evaluation from their internship supervisor by the end of the semester. The student will then write a reflection paper about their experience, utilizing scholarship relevant to their area of interest.

Special Project Option:

30 total hours: 27 hours of coursework, 3 hours of WGST 5900 (Special Problems), and written comprehensive examinations, taken during the Winter break/Summer break before their last semester of enrollment.

  • This option allows students to focus on a semester-long research or creative project opportunity, suitable for publication or professional review. Students are expected to choose a major professor, whom they will work closely with throughout the process.
  • Students must complete at least 12 hours of graduate WGST coursework before enrolling in this special problems course. After which they will meet with the their chosen major professor to determine expectations for the project.
  • This project will be completed during a single semester.
  • Once the project is completed, the major professor will provide a letter grade.

Comprehensive Examinations:

Students who chose either the internship or special project option will be required to do comprehensive exams the winter or summer break immediately preceding their last long semester of coursework.

  • The timeframe for comprehensive exams will be announced each Fall and Spring by the WGST Program director.
  • Comprehensive exams consist of 4 questions, based on the content of WGST courses.
  • After completing the exams, students will submit their essays to their committee, who will have one week to evaluate the students' work.