Women's and Gender Studies | Academic Advising & Career Centre

Admissions Category: Social Sciences & Humanities

Program Overview

Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Toronto Scarborough is an interdisciplinary program that explores the intersections of gender, race, sexuality, class, age, disability, nationality and other relations of power that shape multiple social and cultural differences and inequalities. It integrates theory and practice by introducing students to scholarship from a wide range of intellectual perspectives, and challenges them to work for change and equality in their communities and in their daily lives. Through our innovative learning environments, transformative feminist teaching and curriculum, students will learn to scrutinize structures of power, inequality and injustice. Students will ultimately develop the knowledge, language and tools they need to challenge conventional assumptions about the world around them.

Complementary Programs:

Health Studies, Sociology, International Development Studies, History

Check out future career opportunities and skills acquired from completing this program:

Competencies & Skills

Gather, review, interpret and organize information
Develop cross cultural awareness
Edit and proofread material
Evaluate ideas, theories and evidence
Observe and compare people/data/things
Interpret historical ideas in a modern context
Synthesize a large amount of information

Careers for Graduates

Policy or Research Analyst in Government
Researcher/Analyst/Outreach in advocacy and community groups
Community or Social Service work
Research Associate/Market Researcher
Public Relations Coordinator
Publishing
Event Organizer
Equity Advisor

Further Education

Women’s and Gender Studies
Social Work
Education
Public Health
Public Policy and Administration
Advocacy and Social Justice
Public Service
Law School
Paralegal Studies
Human Resources

Program Pathway

Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4

Year 1
Choose Your Courses Wisely

1.0 credit as follows: WSTA01H3, WSTA03H3.
Explore different kinds of courses; this will also help with fulfilling breadth requirements and electives.
Use Degree Explorer and the UTSC Calendar to plan your courses and program of interest.

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills

Schedule an appointment with your Program Librarian for in-depth research assistance with your assignments.
Get writing and academic English support at the CTL Writing Centre.
Attend an Academic Integrity workshop.

Apply Theory to Practice

Attend the Women’s and Gender Studies Open House.
Attend the UTSC Faculty Mix & Mingle Fair to connect with professors and learn more about their specialties.
Start building your Co-Curricular Record (CCR) and search for Experiential Learning opportunities on CLNx.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)

Get involved with the Women’s and Gender Studies Students Association (WGSSA) or the Historical and Cultural Studies Students Association (HCSSA); also explore other relevant student clubs and activities on campus.
Visit and get involved with the Women’s and Trans Centre.

Plan for Your Future Career

Volunteer with organizations to explore your interests; check listings on CLNx (>Jobs & Recruitment).
Attend the UTSC Get Experience Fair in September and register with SCSU’s Volunteer Network Program to explore opportunities.

Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely

1.0 credit as follows: WSTB05H3, WSTB11H3.
Consider taking requirements listed under Year 3 and Year 4.
Use Degree Explorer and meet with your Program Advisor to ensure you are on track with your degree.

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills

Further develop your general academic skills by attending workshops offered by the Academic Advising & Career Centre (AA&CC) and Centre for Teaching & Learning (CTL).

Apply Theory to Practice

Get involved in relevant opportunities on and/or off campus; apply to Work Study, or other part-time and summer jobs on CLNx (Jobs & Recruitment).

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)

Check CLNx (>Jobs & Recruitment) to search for Work Study or volunteer positions on campus to gain experience and to get involved.
Read the Department of Historical and Cultural Studies newsletter to find out about events, volunteer and work opportunities.

Plan for Your Future Career

Connect with professors and advisors early so you are on track with your post-graduation plans.
Explore careers through the AA&CC’s Job Shadowing and In The Field programs.

Year 3
Choose Your Courses Wisely

0.5 credit as follows: WSTC02H3, and 2.5 additional credits in WST courses, of which at least 0.5 credit must be at the C-level, and a further 1.0 credit at the D-level (including 0.5 credit from WSTD03H3, WSTD04H3, WSTD09H3, WSTD10H3).
Use Degree Explorer to ensure you are on track with your degree.

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills

Consider competing for the UTSC Library Undergraduate Research Prize or Poster Forum.
Consider participating in the annual Women’s and Gender Studies symposium of student research.

Apply Theory to Practice

Build on your skills and knowledge through relevant events offered through your department, student groups, DSL and the AA&CC.
Seek out research and volunteer opportunities with faculty.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)

Run for an elected position in the HCSSA, WGSSA, and/or Women’s and Trans Centre.
Look into volunteering or working overseas to expand your network through International Student Centre’s (ISC) Global Learning programs.

Plan for Your Future Career

Run for an elected position in the HCSSA, WGSSA, and/or Women’s and Trans Centre.
Look into volunteering or working overseas to expand your network through International Student Centre’s (ISC) Global Learning programs.

Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely

2.0 credits from courses listed under requirement 6 of the Women’s and Gender Studies Major Program on the UTSC Calendar website.
Ensure you have fulfilled your breadth requirements.
Use Degree Explorer to ensure you are on track to graduate.
Register your “Intent to Graduate” on ACORN by the deadline.

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills

Apply for an Academic Travel Fund through Department of Student Life (DSL) to research, present at a conference, or engage with the international academic community.

Apply Theory to Practice

Attend the Summer & Full-time Job Fair in January to meet with potential employers looking to hire students for summer and full-time positions relevant to your field.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)

Participate in the AA&CC’s Partners in Leadership program to learn and network with an alumni mentor about transitioning to work or further education.

Plan for Your Future Career

Attend the AA&CC’s Get Hired job search conference in April/May.
Attend a Jobs for Grads orientation for a job search “crash course” and for access to full-time job listings.
Discuss your grad school plans with your professors and AA&CC staff and get your Personal Statement reviewed in the AA&CC.

Glossary

AACC - Academic Advising and Career Centre (www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc)
CCR - Co-Curricular Record (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/ccr/overview.htm)
CLNx - Career Co-Curricular Learning Network (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home.htm)
CTL - Centre for Teaching and Learning (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl)
DSL - Department of Student Life (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentlife)
HCSSA - Historial and Cultural Studies Student Association (https://hcssa.weebly.com)
ISC - International Student Centre (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/utscinternational)
SCSU - Scarborough Campus Students Union (https://www.scsu.ca)
WGSSA - Women and Gender Studies Student Assoc.(https://www.facebook.com/utscwgssa)
WST - Women and Gender Studies (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/hcs/womens-and-gender-studies)