Gender Studies explores how gender, sexuality, race, class, and other identities shape our experiences and institutions. You’ll develop critical thinking, effective communication, and analytical skills through an inclusive, intersectional lens—hallmarks of a strong liberal arts education. Employers and graduate programs highly value these skills, making the minor a powerful asset for career readiness across a wide range of fields.

This minor enhances any major by adding depth in cultural awareness, ethical reasoning, and social analysis. It strengthens your liberal arts foundation and helps you stand out in the job market with a broader, more inclusive perspective. Check out our Instagram account (@genderstudies_csbsju) for our series on Why You Should Minor in Gender Studies for a variety of careers and fields!

From law and healthcare to business, education, and public service, Gender Studies prepares you for careers that value critical thinking, empathy, problem-solving, teamwork, cultural competency/agility, and communication. Employers increasingly seek graduates who can navigate diverse workplaces and think across disciplines. Again, check out our Instagram!

Yes! Graduate and professional programs value applicants who can think critically, write clearly, and understand complex social dynamics—all strengths developed through Gender Studies.

Many programs offer internships, community engagement, or research projects. These hands-on experiences build your résumé and help you apply classroom learning in real-world settings. Our students take advantage of the many research opportunities available on campus, like this ongoing interdisciplinary project with computer science! Check out our Careers page to hear directly from students about their experience with internships, research projects, and what our alums are doing!

We designed the Gender Studies minor to be flexible and easy to integrate into your academic plan. Many courses in the minor fulfill general education requirements—such as Ways of Thinking, Cultural and Social Difference, or writing requirements—as well as requirements in many majors, so you can make progress on multiple goals at once. With no strict prerequisites and a wide range of course options (in almost 2 dozen departments and on both campuses!), it’s a manageable and rewarding addition to any major.

The minor is 20 credits (5 courses). For more information, visit the Curriculum page.

Most introductory courses have no prerequisites, making it easy to start. The program is designed to be accessible and flexible, supporting your academic and professional goals.

Often, yes—most elective courses can count toward both the minor and your major. This is especially common in fields like sociology, psychology, or strategic communication studies. Our courses also often count for general education requirements. This makes the minor a flexible and efficient way to broaden your academic and professional toolkit.

Because courses are offered across a variety of departments, you’ll experience a range of learning styles. Expect a mix of reading, writing, discussion, and projects in the classes you take. These assignments are designed to build your communication and analytical skills—both essential for career success.

Definitely! Courses often explore how gender and identity show up in media, politics, and everyday life—making your learning relevant, engaging, and applicable to real-world issues.

Not at all. While many students are passionate about equity, the skills you gain—like analytical thinking, cultural literacy, and ethical leadership—are applicable in any field and contribute to your overall career readiness.

That’s a great question, and one we hear often. While public conversations around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, Accessibility and Belonbing (DEIJ-AB) have become more visible—and sometimes more polarized—our Gender Studies program remains committed to academic excellence, open dialogue, and preparing students for a diverse and interconnected world.

Minoring in Gender Studies isn’t about aligning with a political stance; it’s about exploring how gender and other identities shape our lives, histories, and institutions. Students gain valuable skills in analysis, communication, and empathy—qualities that are highly sought after in today’s job market. We welcome curiosity, questions, and respectful discussion in all our classrooms.

At a time when inclusion programs are being scaled back or eliminated, studying inclusion is more important than ever—not only to understand and address deepening social inequities, but also to stand out as a job candidate in a workforce where fewer employers are offering this critical training in-house.

It’s easy—just contact your faculty advisor, talk to academic advising, or contact the Gender Studies Program Director. You can then fill out a Major/Minor Update Form and plan your courses to fit your goals.