Certificate Program and Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies 

The University of New Mexico Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Program offers a transcripted graduate certificate in WGSS. Graduate students already enrolled in a graduate level program at UNM may apply for admission to the WGSS graduate certificate program on a rolling enrollment basis. Students may submit their materials at any time, but no later than September 15 for Spring graduation, and no later than March 15 for a Fall graduation. Please be aware that OGS has its own deadlines for formally adding the transcripted certificate to the student's program of study. Students are responsible for informing themselves of the deadlines set by OGS and respecting them. 

The Graduate Certificate in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies is designed as an area of specialization for students pursuing a master's degree or a doctorate in disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, fine arts, or the professional schools at the University of New Mexico. The Graduate Certificate provides graduate students the opportunity to complete an education program that addresses feminist, queer and transgender studies. Graduate courses in feminist, queer and transgender studies offered through WGSS are also available to graduate students not pursuing the graduate certificate.

Application Process

The Graduate Certificate is designed to be taken in conjunction with an M.A. or Ph.D. program in another department at UNM. Acceptance into a graduate degree program is required in order to be eligible to pursue the Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies Graduate Certificate.

Applications should include: 

  • Application cover sheet.
  • Proof of admission into a graduate program at UNM, such as copy of your registration form from my.unm.edu
  • A letter of intent addressing the applicant's research project and interest in feminist, queer, and transgender studies. Please include discussion of any coursework (undergrad or grad) that is relevant to WGSS. 

Director of Graduate Studies: Professor Scarlett Higgins
For academic advising, please contact Dr. Scarlett Higgins at shiggins@unm.edu. 

Certificate Offered

Women Studies (GCERT)

Graduate Certificate in Women Studies

The graduate certificate requires a total of 15 credit hours:

6 credit hours of required courses, WGSS 510 and WGSS 512. 

9 credit hours of electives approved by the WGSS Graduate Director. The electives may be taken within the WGSS program or another program/Department. Content of the elective course must include at least 50% reading material in feminist, queer, and transgender studies.

Students must receive at least a 3.0 GPA in all courses.

Applications should include:

Proof of admission into a graduate program at UNM.

Letter of intent, including research project and how it is related to WGSS, as well as any relevant undergraduate and graduate coursework.

Applications should be sent to: shiggins@unm.edu.