Gender and Women's Studies Certificate

Gender and Women's Studies

Program Number: 908093CERT

Your Degree: Certificate

Estimated Time to Complete: 12 Credits | Finish in 1 semester

Delivery Method: 100% Online, Some Online/Some In Person

Area of Study: Law, Protective and Human Services

Estimated Program Cost: $2,590.32

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Program Overview
Gender and Women's Studies is an interdisciplinary certificate in which students gain knowledge about women and gender through the varied lenses of art, literature, history, psychology, political science, and sociology. Students explore the diverse realities of gender and the lives of women in historical, cultural, social, and global contexts. While examining identity, power, representation, inequality, and social change, particular attention is given to the ways in which gender intersects with other dimensions of inequality such as sexuality, race, class, nationality, religion, age, and disability. By understanding diverse life experiences, students gain perspectives relevant to their personal lives and develop critical, employer-sought skills they can utilize in the 21st century workforce.
Program Details
Students earning the Gender and Women's Studies Certificate can attend full or part time.
Gender and Women's Studies classes may be offered at these Madison College campuses:
Madison - Truax
Madison - South
Reedsburg
Portage
Fort Atkinson
Watertown
With additional education and work experience, graduates may find employment in the following fields:
Research
Education
Non-Profit Organizations
Government
Consulting Firms
For more information, email Autumn Behringer at ambehringer@madisoncollege.edu or Angelika Gulbis at agulbis@madisoncollege.edu.
Program Courses

Here's a sample course sequence that shows how classes for full-time students are typically organized by semester.
Once you're admitted, your full curriculum and sequence—including any pre-requisites—is defined in your Degree Progress Report.
Required Courses
20-809-206
Introduction to Women's Studies
Women’s status and roles in contemporary U.S. society are investigated by analyzing various disciplines and institutions such as the family, law, medicine, psychology, education, religion and the media as they impact upon the socialization process and the classification of people by gender.
3 credits
Additional Course List
Students must complete a minimum of 9 credits from the following:
20-801-211
Queer Literature
Students analyze and discuss gender expansive and LGBTQ literature with a focus on intersectional identities. Weekly assignments allow students to consider cultural and historical time periods, documentary films, and biographical articles in both discussion boards and individual journals. Students write creatively and critically as they discover connections between literary elements and theory. Assignments include a narrative, literary analysis, and a research project.
3 credits
20-801-250
Women In Literature
Women in Literature examines women as both writers and subjects of literature. Students read works from a number of genres and eras, studying ways women writers have contributed to, challenged and redefined the literary tradition. Students may analyze theme, genre, language, identity issues, social and political topics, and critical theory. The works are selected to explore intersections of gender with race, class and sexuality.
3 credits
20-809-201
Human Sexuality
Use empirical research to examine the biological, psychological, and social aspects of human sexuality. Investigate how culture and history shape our understanding, alongside contemporary social, ethical, and political issues. Topics include sexual anatomy, gender development, love, relationships, sexual orientation, expression, sex work, and education. Covers practical aspects like consent, sexual health, contraception, and pregnancy, and how sexuality evolves through the lifespan.
3 credits
20-809-204
Sociology of Relationships and Families
Examines sociological trends in relationships and family life, including the history and institutions of marriage and the family, choosing a partner, cohabitation, divorce, sexuality, fertility, and parenting. Topics cover effective communication with friends, family, coworkers, and partners; the impact of work and gender roles on relationships; and navigating challenges like stress and conflict. Students gain skills to form and maintain healthy relationships and a satisfying family life.
3 credits
20-809-210
Psychology of Men
Psychology of Men examines and analyzes ways biology, culture and society shape identity and life experiences of the American male. Included in the course are historical views, socialization, manliness, competitiveness and sports, violence and war, work and success, sexuality, health, relations with other men, women and children, and alternatives for men.
3 credits
20-809-245
Gender and Politics
Gender and Politics covers topics such as feminism, intersectionality, political participation and representation, and social movements. Students in this course will analyze, evaluate, and compare the effects of strategies to enhance gender equality, and women's political participation and representation, across state, national, and international institutions.
3 credits
20-809-253
Sociology of Gender
Examine the social construction of gender and its influence on identity, relationships, and life experiences. Students explore the importance and power of gender as well as how gender intersects with other social categories such as race, class, and sexuality. Topics include gender socialization, inequality, and social change. Students reflect on the cultural reinforcement of gender norms and the ways in which individuals and institutions challenge them.
3 credits
20-809-255
Introduction to LGBTQ+ Studies
Introduction to LGBTQ+ Studies introduces students to historical and contemporary understandings of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. Through the lens of interdisciplinary scholarship, students will explore topics such as identity formation, socialization, sexuality, cultural influences, health, politics, globalism, equity and inclusion, intersectionality, and activism.
3 credits
20-809-277
Couple Relationships
Introduces students to empirical findings on relationship and marriage success and failure based on leading research and skills-based programs. Students learn to choose partners wisely, distinguish patterns that erode as well as protect romantic relationships, and gain research-based skills and strategies for strengthening a variety of relationships including friendships, family relationships, relationships with coworkers and classmates, romantic relationships and marriages.
1 credit
20-815-211
Art History: Women In Art
Explores gender studies as they apply to the historical, cultural, and socio-economic context of women artists and feminist art in Western art history. Examines the production of women artists from the Middle Ages through current issues and the ideologies that influence our understanding of and access to the artistic production of women. Theories and experiences of gender, race, class, and sexual orientation will be considered.
3 credits
*Students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher may choose to complete an honors project in Gender and Women's Studies for up to 3 credits towards the additional 9 credits requirement.
How to Apply
Earning a certificate is a great way to expand your skill set and add professionalism to your resume. Applications are always open, so apply today!
International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.
There are no admission requirements for this certificate. Simply submit your application by the deadline for each term.
Application Dates
Fall 2026
Application open
Application completion deadline is November 15, 2026
Spring 2027
Application open
Application completion deadline is April 15, 2027
Fall 2027
Application available on October 15, 2026
Application completion deadline is August 31, 2027
Additional Notes
Certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid.
Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a certificate does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the certificate.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Gender and Women's Studies career.
It's Free to Apply
Career Outcomes
Transfer Pathways. Many courses offer a direct one-to-one transfer to University of Wisconsin schools. Direct transferability varies according to major and college of choice. Check with your advisor and transfer school for verification of qualified courses. This certificate also serves as a gateway to many related majors, such as Women’s Studies, Social Work, Psychology and Sociology.
Academic and Professional Development. Interested students may choose to pursue opportunities for service learning, internships, conference presentations and undergraduate publishing. Consult your instructor or certificate coordinators for more information.
Honors Program Participation. Interested students may choose to participate in the Honors Program, working one-on-one on an Honors Project in Gender and Women’s Studies with a supervising faculty member who teaches one of the certificate courses.
Earn Credits toward an Associate Degree. Credits may be used as electives for a University Transfer associate degree. The certificate includes courses across several disciplines, including art, English, history, psychology and sociology.
Address six of the eight Madison College Core Abilities. Core abilities are identified by Madison College as the critical skills graduates gain during the course of their studies and use as lifelong learners on the job, at home and in the community. The Gender and Women’s Studies Certificate curriculum contributes to the following core abilities: communication, critical thinking, ethics, global and cultural perspectives, self-management and social interaction.