The collaborative program in women's studies at the master's level is designed for students from selected disciplines in arts, education, health sciences, law, social sciences, and counselling and spirituality(Saint Paul University), who have an interest in women's studies. These students are permitted to combine advanced studies in their primary discipline with analyses from a women's studies perspective. The program thus adopts at the graduate level the interdisciplinary structures and approach which have proven effective in undergraduate studies. The degree awarded is a master's degree in the primary discipline with "specialization in Women's Studies".

Participating Units

The following units participate in the collaborative program in women's studies at the master's level: counselling and spirituality (Saint Paul University), criminology, education, English, globalization and international development, history, human kinetics, law, music, nursing, philosophy, political studies, religious studies, Lettres françaises, and sociology (the latter two programs are offered in French only). Please refer to the booklets of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for further information on the graduate programs of each of these disciplines.

To be accepted in the collaborative program in women's studies at the master's level, applicants must first be admitted to the master's program in a participating discipline. Successful applicants will normally hold an honours degree or the equivalent and have a minimum average of 70 per cent (B). They must also have a background in women's studies that is adequate for graduate study, as assessed by the women's studies graduate committee. Applications submitted to the committee should include a brief statement on this applicant's background and on the proposed area of research. The committee's assessment may take into account an applicant's relevant employment experience.

Applicants with little or no background in women's studies (fewer than two undergraduate courses, one graduate course related to women's studies or the equivalent) are required to read 6-8 articles or chapters to be determined by the Institute of Women's Studies (IWS). Confirmation of acceptance into the collaborative program is conditional upon the student successfully completing a 5-page critical paper based on the articles or chapters. The paper must show ability to understand and critically assess the core concepts of the readings. The paper must normally be handed in by mid-August.

Applications for admission to the collaborative program in women's studies at the master's level are normally submitted at the same time as the application for admission to the master's program of the relevant discipline. In exceptional cases, students could commence their specialization in women's studies in their second session.

Language Policy

The courses offered directly by the collaborative program in women's studies at the master's level are given every year in English and in French. Each participating unit will apply its own language requirements. Except in the case of students in English, and in Lettres françaises, all students have the right to submit their written work, including their research paper and thesis, and to answer examination questions in English or in French.

Master's Degree Requirements

1. Two compulsory courses:
FEM5300 FEMINIST THEORIES (3cr.)
or
FEM5700 THÉORIES FÉMINISTES (3cr.)

FEM5103 FEMINIST METHODOLOGIES (3cr.)
or
FEM5503 MÉTHODOLOGIES FÉMINISTES (3cr.)

Students must complete the two compulsory courses before their first registration for the major research paper or thesis.

2. A thesis or major research paper on a topic related to women’s studies. The proposed topic must be approved by the Women’s Studies Graduate Committee (WSGC) as well as by the student’s primary program. A thesis or major research paper in women’s studies must demonstrate a knowledge of feminist scholarship in the field or fields appropriate to the topic, and of feminist methodologies where applicable. Joint supervision by a professor from the participating unit and a professor chosen by the WSGC may be appropriate in some cases. At least one of the examiners of the thesis or major research paper must be a professor chosen by the WSGC.