The Gender and Women’s Studies Department offers two graduate minors.

The graduate minor in Gender and Women’s Studies provides sophisticated training in feminist theory and methodologies that enriches students’ degree work. Because gender is a central category of analysis across many different fields of study, the graduate minor strengthens students’ formal credentials and offers a versatile area of specialization.

The graduate minor in Queer Studies provides the opportunity for students to gain expertise in queer theory and methodologies that enhances their graduate degree work. It offers rigorous interdisciplinary training to complement and strengthen students’ research and pedagogy in their primary field of study.

Coursework requirements for each minor are outlined at the end of this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What paperwork do I need to complete for my graduate minor, and when?

First, students should declare their intention to earn the minor using this form. This is internal to the department and is used to communicate with and facilitate advising for graduate minors as they progress toward their degree.

Second, once students are finished (or nearly finished) with their required coursework, they should file a petition with the Graduate College, via the Grad College Student Portal. The petition must be submitted prior to graduation for graduate minor credentials to appear on the student’s transcript. The Grad College website also provides details about adding or dropping a graduate concentration and about the petition process. Students have until their last enrolled semester to declare a graduate minor.

2. Does my cross-listed course or independent study count as an elective? Can I substitute a course for one of the required classes?

400-level and 500-level courses that are permanently cross-listed with GWS can always count as electives for the graduate minor. Students can check the course listings here.

For courses not permanently cross-listed, independent studies taken outside of the GWS department, or other substitutions to required courses, students should complete this form and upload the course syllabus for departmental review and approval.

3. Who should I contact with questions about the grad minor?

If you have questions not answered here, or would like to request graduating advising, please contact the Associate Chair at gws-grad-advising@mx.uillinois.edu.

Requirements for the Graduate Minor in Gender and Women's Studies

Requirements for Graduate Minor in Queer Studies