LGBTQ Studies

The LGBTQ Studies Certificate prepares students to work and live in our diverse world by concentrating on forms of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression that are frequently left out of traditional fields of study.

The interdisciplinary approach of the certificate provides students with analytical frameworks for understanding how social, cultural, legal, and political factors influence the lives of LGBTQ individuals, families, and communities. The program of study examines a broad spectrum of diversity to foreground ways that sexuality and gender intersect with race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, disability, and nationality in people’s lives.

The LGBTQ Studies Certificate can complement your major or stand alone as a post-baccalaureate credential.

Knowledge of LGBTQ issues and competency in serving gender and sexually diverse populations is relevant to many different fields, from education, law, and healthcare to business, counseling, and social work, among others. We warmly welcome students from all colleges as well as community members to participate in the program.

Students who complete the Certificate in LGBTQ Studies should expect to achieve the following:

  1. Knowledge about the history and current issues facing LGBTQ individuals, families, and communities;
  2. Knowledge about modes of resistance and community responses to these issues;
  3. Familiarity with major concepts and methods in the fields of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer studies; 
  4. Ability to analyze the ways that sexual orientation and gender identity intersect with race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, disability, and nationality in people’s lives; 
  5. Ability to apply theory to practice through research, creative production, practicum experience, and/or advocacy.


 

Certificate Requirements

Required course:
WGST/HUM/SOC 366Sexualities, Genders, & Bodies4
Select 3 classes from the following:9-12
CRJ 419
LGBTQ+ Criminology
FNDS 1306
Crossing Boundaries: ‘Passing’ and Social Identity in American History
FNDS 1602
Hope and Joy in Queer and Trans Lives
WGST/SOC 388
LGBTQ Religious Experience
WGST/ANTH 406
Sexuality and Culture
WGST/SOC 414
Sexuality, Gender and the Law
WGST/ANTH/SOC 451
Family Diversity & Power
WGST/ENGL 471
LGBTQ Literature
WGST/ENGL 486
Queer Theory & Literature
WGST 488
Colonialism, Race & Sexuality
WGST 499
Independent Studies (approved contract required)
Total Credit Hours13-16

Notes:

  1. A maximum of one transfer course may count toward the certificate.
  2. A maximum of one course may be taken as pass/fail.
  3. Any LGBTQ related CASL internship may count in the certificate with permission of the LGBTQ Program Director by Petition.
  4. WGST 323 Introduction to Critical Disability Studies may count in the certificate with permission of the LGBTQ Program Director by Petition. (Student agrees to do a final project that is LGBTQ related)
  5. A minimum 2.5 GPA in the courses counting toward the certificate is required at the time of graduation and/or posting of the certificate.
  6. All four courses (13 - 16 credits) may overlap with a student's major or minor.