Women's Studies

Women's Studies |

Women's Studies is not simply a study of women; it also involves critical reflection on the process of knowing and on the established understandings of history, literature, society, the arts, and the sciences.

The Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies is an exciting educational opportunity offered by the Graduate School for promising students and other individuals to think and to speak critically; to plan quality research; and to contribute to policy discussions on topics concerning women.

Housed at Howard University, the program has the advantage of highlighting the lives and contributions of women of color and of diverse cultures. Women's Studies is not simply a study of women; it also involves critical reflection on the process of knowing and on the established understandings of history, literature, society, the arts, and the sciences. Reflecting the Mission of the University, the emphasis is on gathering and using information to enhance the quality of women's lives and to solve the social problems facing women, particularly women of color, in the United States and throughout the world.

Program Components

• Focused course work and guided research
  • One introductory course
  • Four women's studies courses
• 15-hour academic degree program, excluding internship
  • Courses currently available within such departments as psychology, art, sociology and anthropology, political science, history, modern languages and literature and African studies
• Internship of 100 hours
• Interdisciplinary studies
• National and international issues
• Focus on women of color
• Diverse and unique array of courses from different departments
• A mentoring relationship with faculty
• Opportunities to present work at symposia
• Involvement in a range of lectures and presentations
• Individualized help of the Graduate Program Director or faculty advisors
• Internships in a variety of agencies and organizations

Program Benefits

The Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies will enhance the graduate degree by providing

• A professional credential to supplement other training
• Interdisciplinary breadth to the master's or Ph.D. degree
• Expertise in Women's Studies theory and research
• In-depth knowledge of the role of gender in the past, present, and future
• Unique strengths in teaching and research
• Opportunities to engage in problem-solving on a wide range of issues critical to women

• Program Frequency: Full-Time
• Format: In Person

The Certificate Program is open to graduate students at Howard University, students from the Washington, D.C. Consortium of Universities, and from other universities in the United States, as well as persons working in government, private, and non-government organizations.

Students already enrolled at Howard University can simply apply to the Certificate Program with no further financial obligation, endorsed by the chairperson of his/her respective department.

Applicants who are not students of Howard University must satisfy the requirements for admission to the Graduate School for a degree program. The Certificate consisting of 18 credit hours, will be divided in the following manner:

1. Introduction to Women’s Studies (mandatory)SUBJ: WOMS, CRSE: 500
2. Four Courses from the existing selection of courses in Women’s Studies offered at Howard University 
3. Internship in Women’s Studies, (Capstone Experience) a mandatory capstone course (SUBJ: WOMS, CRSE 501) The internship is to be of 100 hours with an agency that deals with women’s issues.

Caution to Prospective Students

The Board of Trustees of Howard University on September 24, 1983, adopted the following policy statement regarding applications for admission: "Applicants seeking admission to Howard University are required to submit accurate and complete credentials and accurate and complete information requested by the University. Applicants who fail to do so shall be denied admission. Enrolled students who as applicants failed to submit accurate and complete credentials or accurate and complete information on their application for admission shall be subject to dismissal when the same is made known, regardless of classification."

All credentials must be sent to:

Howard University Graduate School 
Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions
2400 Sixth Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20059

Students not enrolled in a degree program in the Graduate School but enrolled in the Graduate Certificate program pay the per credit hour rate for the academic year. The tuition rate per credit hour for AY 22-23 is $1,930. For information about tuition rates, please visit the Cost of Attendance website.

There are no scholarships awarded for the tuition of a non-degree Graduate Certificate. Additionally, Title IV federal financial aid is not available for Graduate Certificate programs unless otherwise formally noted in writing.

For students currently enrolled full-time in a Graduate School degree program, a certificate program fee is charged in lieu of the per credit hour rate.

• Application