Application Instructions for MA Programs

Submit online application, including a non-refundable application fee, directly to the University of Cincinnati Graduate School website. Your application should include the following:

• Personal essay: (approx. 1-2 double-spaced pages), in which you demonstrate your personal and intellectual commitment to women's, gender, and sexuality studies, your potential to succeed in a research-oriented graduate program, and your professional goals consistent with advanced work in the field.
• Writing sample: in most cases, this typically will be an essay or research paper about women, gender, and/or sexuality related issues written for a prior college course. Can also include such things as a journal or magazine article or a grant application.
• Current Resume/CV
• List of Courses Relevant to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies that you have taken, including related courses in traditional disciplines, such as "Chinese Women's History," "Sexuality in Education," or "Gender and Media in Sociological Perspective."
• Recent (within 2 years) TOEFL or IELTS Scores: Required for non-native English speakers. Expected minimum TOEFL scores: 100 (online iBT); 600 (paper-based). Expected minimum IELTS score: 7. Visit here or here to register and find test times and locations (the institutional code for the University of Cincinnati is 1833). Current UC PhD international students applying for the MA as a dual degree do not have to re-take the TOEFL or IELTS.
• Contact Information for three (3) letters of recommendation: Enter the contact information of individuals who can address your academic work in women's, gender, and sexuality studies. These will be contacted by email to submit letters of recommendation online.
• Unofficial transcript(s) of all undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate courses taken at any institution other than UC. Please note: If your undergraduate and/or graduate coursework was taken at UC, you can either submit an unofficial transcript or select "University of Cincinnati" as a previous or current institution on your online application. If admitted into the program, all students will need to arrange for official transcripts to be sent by the beginning of the Fall semester to the Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 210164, Cincinnati OH 45221-0164. All applicants should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (see here) by early February.
• Video submission (optional): the University of Cincinnati Graduate School online application portal asks graduate student applicants to submit a video response to a prompt. Submitting a video response is optional. The WGSS graduate admissions committee will not consider applicants’ video responses when rendering admissions and/or funding decisions.

Applications should be completed by January 15, if you wish to be considered for a Graduate Assistantship and/or scholarship. Initial notification for admissions and financial aid will be made by late February or early March. Given sufficient space, we will consider complete applications for admission (without funding) up to August 3rd. If you have any questions, e-mail our Graduate Director, Dr. Michelle McGowan.

Prospective joint and dual degree students must submit separate applications to their other programs.