Women's Studies (B.A./B.S.)
Women’s Studies is an international discipline that focuses on gender, race, class, sexuality, ability, nation, and language as a means of understanding social systems and making meaningful contributions to a range of fields. Through a feminist perspective, women’s studies looks at how gender organizes and divides the world, and how individuals can make a difference for women and girls, along with wider human rights and environmental causes.
Women's Studies (B.A./B.S.)
Description
What is Women's Studies at ODU like?
Women’s Studies is an international discipline that focuses on gender, race, class, sexuality, ability, nation, and language as a means of understanding social systems and making meaningful contributions to a range of fields. Through a feminist perspective, women’s studies looks at how gender organizes and divides the world, and how individuals can make a difference for women and girls, along with wider human rights and environmental causes.
Program Highlights
What makes Women's Studies at ODU unique?
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Women’s Studies prepares students to contribute to a variety of fields—as advocates for justice, human rights, and equality
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We offer distinct opportunities to get involved in organizations through internships, service-learning, and professional development series
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Our department is supported by an active Friends of Women’s Studies organization that provides three scholarships, a range of events, and networking opportunities
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Women’s Studies graduates work in a range of fields—from social work, to law, to education, and international development. This department allows students to learn theories of social justice and apply them to benefit not only women and girls, yet a range of contexts where graduates can promote equality and human rights
AT A GLANCE
College / School:
Major:
Women's Studies
Degree Level:
Undergraduate
Careers
What are some careers in this field?
Check out these ideas from ODU Career Development Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Social and Community Service Managers
$70,530
MEDIAN SALARY
Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.
Directors, Religious Activities and Education
$45,470
MEDIAN SALARY
Plan, direct, or coordinate programs designed to promote the religious education or activities of a denominational group. May provide counseling and guidance relative to marital, health, financial, and religious problems.
Legal Support Workers, All Other
$67,960
MEDIAN SALARY
All legal support workers not listed separately.
Community Health Workers
$42,340
MEDIAN SALARY
Assist individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors. Conduct outreach for medical personnel or health organizations to implement programs in the community that promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health. May provide information on available resources, provide social support and informal counseling, advocate for individuals and community health needs, and provide services such as first aid and blood pressure screening. May collect data to help identify community health needs.
Employers
Graduates from this major have gone to work at
Planned Parenthood, Global Health Corps, Peace Corps, Citigroup, and Americorps.
Courses
What are some courses offered in Women's Studies at ODU?
WMST 306:
Women, the Environment, and Climate Change
This course will examine ways that women have been actively involved in environmental issues from earliest history through today. Students will assess their own connection to place and examine and access ecofeminist theory and national and global environmental justice movements, along with briefly reviewing gender and farming practices. Finally, the course will examine how climate change issues are affecting lives around the globe, including ours, and question how gender-, race-, and class-sensitive responses to the environmental challenges facing our planet can be created. Prerequisite: ENGL 110C.
WMST 390T:
Women and Technology Worldwide
An exploration of women as designers and users of technology and of the impact of technology on women's lives across the world. Variations in women's experiences by race, class, and culture will be stressed, along with particular focus on global developments that shape the context of women's and men's lives. Prerequisites: Three semester hours in human behavior or history.
WMST 595:
REFUGEE STUDIES
Advanced seminars on selected topics. The subject matter is usually be interdisciplinary. These seminars are more fully described on the women's studies website and in material distributed each semester to academic advisors.
Requirements
What are the requirements to apply for Women's Studies at ODU?
Students entering the BA,BS program in Women's Studies should meet the minimum university admission requirements (Undergraduate Admission)
To declare a Women's Studies major, students must see an advisor in the Women's Studies Department. All Women's Studies majors are required to have a conference with their advisor before each semester (preferably during preregistration).
Cost
Tuition and Fees
Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.
Virginia Resident
Per Credit:
$ 374
Non-Resident
Per Credit:
$ 1,039
Active Duty Military Rate
Per Credit:
$ 250
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States
Per Credit:
$ 407
Ways to Save
Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial aid
Scholarships
- Carolyn Rhodes Undergraduate Scholarship in Women’s Studies
- Anita Clair Fellman Service-Learning Scholarship
Next Steps
I like this program. What are the next steps?
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Contact
Need help applying?
Meet Your Enrollment Team
Our enrollment coordinators are ready to help you through the admissions process.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Name:
Elizabeth Groeneveld
Location:
3044 BATTEN ARTS & LETTERS, NORFOLK, VA, 23529
Email:
Office:
757-683-6572
Undergraduate Admissions
Location:
1004 Rollins Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529
Phone Office:
757-683-3685
Fax:
757-683-3255
Email:
admissions@odu.edu
International Admissions
Location:
2101 Dragas Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529
Phone Office:
757-683-3701
Fax:
757-683-3651
Email:
intladm@odu.edu
Transfer
I like this program and want to transfer. What are my next steps?
At ODU, we understand that as a transfer student you have unique needs that require a wide array of campus resources. The Center for Advising Administration and Academic Partnerships aims to create a transfer inclusive culture that supports the successful transition, engagement, and academic achievement of transfer students. The services and programs offered to you as a Monarch are endless so take advantage of every opportunity. Even before you set foot on campus, we encourage you to Explore, Experience, and Engage! Visit our Transfer Students page for more information.
Related Programs
What other options does ODU have?
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