Department of Women’s and Gender Studies

Studying life at the intersections

Study how gender and sexuality intersect with race, class, culture, ability, and access to shape lived experiences and social systems. If you often consider inequality, identity, representation, and social change, and want to turn that critical thinking into meaningful action, a degree in Women's and Gender Studies offers an empowering path forward.

With a degree in Women's and Gender Studies, you can pursue a career in education, advocacy, public policy, media, healthcare, law, nonprofit leadership, community organizing, and more. Since questions of gender and power exist in every field, you can pair Women's and Gender Studies with another major and be prepared to navigate complex social and professional environments with deeper insight and empathy.

Why study Women's and Gender Studies at NAU

At NAU, small class sizes and an interdisciplinary curriculum invite thoughtful dialogue, close faculty mentorship, and the freedom to explore the questions that matter most to you. Coursework blends academic rigor with personal growth and community engagement through topics like feminist theory, queer studies, body politics, political voice, transnational movements, media representation, art and protest, and systems of access and oppression. You'll connect theory to real-world issues through discussion, creative projects, media analysis, and applied learning.

Learning outcomes

As a Women's and Gender Studies major at NAU, you will:

• interpret and compare key concepts of assigned sex, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, radicalization, nation, social construction, hegemony, inequity, discrimination, and social justice, and the intersections among them.
• analyze variations in LGBTQIAP+ people's experiences by using queer and trans theory to identify and describe gender and sexuality assumptions.
• think through and apply feminist and queer studies concepts and theories in specific political, historical, geographical, and cultural contexts.
• learn about the intersectionality of women's and/or queer and gendered identities, informed by hierarchies of race, ethnicity, ability, class, nation, and more.

Student clubs and organizations

Engage with peers outside the classroom and outside your degree program by joining organizations that foster dialogue, advocacy, and connection under the shared dedication to gender equity and justice. 

Career readiness

Throughout your study, you'll develop essential skills that shape strong leaders, like critical thinking, communication, collaboration, adaptability, and ethical reasoning. Through community engagement, interdisciplinary coursework, and applied projects, you'll learn to connect ideas across contexts and respond thoughtfully to complex social challenges, differentiating capabilities that will serve you in any field or role you choose to pursue.

Scholarships and funding

NAU is committed to helping make your education more accessible. The Department of Women's and Gender Studies offers dedicated scholarships for students who demonstrate academic excellence and dedication to Women's and Gender Studies issues. You can also apply for conference travel support to present research and creative work. Browse additional scholarships you may be eligible for on Scholarship Universe.