Women and Gender Studies (BA in Combination)

Learn how gender is central to how humans understand themselves and organize their relationships across the globe. Study gender as it relates to class, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, age, ability and Indigeneity. Focus on social justice and equity issues and critically analyze issues that are happening locally and around the world in preparation for careers across industries.

You must complete this program with another Bachelor of Arts program.

Apply Your Learning

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.

Here are just a few examples of the experiences you can add to your Women and Gender Studies program:

  • Study abroad for an academic term to become immersed in another culture.
  • Take a course that offers a Community Service-Learning (CSL) placement and engage with the local community while earning course credit.
  • Join student clubs such as the Women and Gender Studies Student Association, Not My Laurier: Golden Hawks Combating Gender Violence, Because I am a Girl (BIG), HER Campus or a special interest club, and meet fellow students who share your passions and interests.
  • Combine your Women and Gender Studies program with another program, like Communication Studies or Sociology, and apply for co-op at the end of your first year.

Check out the Women and Gender Studies Experience and Career Guide for more!

 

2022 graduates who secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies

 

Laurier ranks in the top 6 percent of universities worldwide*

 

students who gained hands-on learning experiences at Laurier in 2022

*Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

Admissions

Format: full time or part time      Duration: four years     Start: September (fall term) or January (winter term)     OUAC code: UH

Program Options and Courses

Design Your Degree

This program must be completed in combination with another Bachelor of Arts program. You can easily pair your studies with Communication Studies, English, Film Studies, Global Studies or Sociology, among others.

In addition, you can add an option or minor that will allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge. A few examples of popular options and minors include:

  • Teaching Option (Coming soon!)
  • Intercultural Understanding Option
  • Indigenous Studies Minor
  • International Public Policy Option
  • Legal Studies Option
  • Management Option
  • Public Policy Minor

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

First-Year Courses

  • Introduction to Women and Gender Studies
  • 4.5 elective credits in courses that interest you

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Introductory French
  • Mapping Global Studies: Culture, Conflict, Development
  • Studying Popular Culture
  • Literature and Love
  • Film and Narrative

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Gender, Culture and Technology
  • Women and Enviro (In)Justice
  • Women and Social Justice
  • Girls, Women & Popular Culture
  • Gender and Sport

Community Service-Learning

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Community Service-Learning (CSL) courses at Laurier integrate service in the community with what you are learning in your classes. Placements are approximately 10 weeks and take place on a weekly basis from the second week of classes to the final week, typically for two hours per week.

CSL placements consist of volunteering at a local community service, such as a soup kitchen or a children's treatment centre. It’s a great way to apply classroom knowledge and gain practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, develop your network, and graduate with experience.

Interested? Learn more about Community Service-Learning.

Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

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Your Career Awaits

Recent changes in policies and practices in the public and private sectors have led to an increasing number of job possibilities for people knowledgeable about women and gender issues. Human resources offices, public policy-makers, government, police forces, social services agencies and educational institutions are all interested in employees with such knowledge, especially for positions that address employment equity and sexual harassment concerns.

Women and Gender Studies courses can also help you prepare for a variety of careers:

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • children's rights advocate
  • community development
  • counsellor/therapist
  • crisis worker/intake/referral
  • human resources
  • lawyer/paralegal
  • non-profit organization director
  • policy analyst
  • social worker
  • victims advocate
  • women's centre organizer

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

Interested in More Info?

Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.