How to Apply to the Women’s & Gender Studies MA Program

Thank you for your interest in the graduate Program in Women’s & Gender Studies (WGS) at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM). WGS offers a Master of Arts in Women’s & Gender Studies; a coordinated degree in a Master of Arts in Women’s & Gender Studies and a Master of Library & Information Science; a coordinated degree in a Master of Arts in Women’s & Gender Studies and a Master of Social Work; and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s & Gender Studies. Before applying, please read this entire page. 

When an application for graduate study at UWM is submitted, the Graduate School first reviews it to confirm that certain minimum qualifications (see section A below) are met. If minimum qualifications are met, the application is then considered by Women’s & Gender Studies, where a faculty committee reviews applications and makes the final admissions decisions. 

Applications are submitted electronically through the Slate system. Materials that must be submitted with the application are listed in section B below. 

WGS admits new students to the MA Program and our coordinated MA/MLIS and MA/MSW programs for the fall semester only. For best consideration, you should submit your completed application no later than December 15th of the year before you intend to start, but if space permits we continue to review applications. 

General information on graduate study at UWM is available at uwm.edu/graduateschool/masters-future-students/. International students must also visit https://uwm.edu/cie/international-admissions/  for additional information specific to international applicants. 

A. UWM Graduate School Minimum Qualifications 

Applicants for admission to the UWM Graduate School must have the following: 

  1. A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent as determined by the UWM Center on International Education from a regionally accredited institution, completed before the first term of enrollment in the Graduate School. 
  2. Proficiency in the English language. International students will find information on demonstrating proficiency at https://uwm.edu/cie/international-admissions/. 
  3. A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, or an equivalent measure on a grading system that does not use a 4.0 scale. Applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below 2.75 must provide additional evidence of ability to succeed in graduate study. Possible forms of this evidence are listed at https://uwm.edu/graduateschool/admission/  (see “Minimum Qualifications”). Submission of this evidence is a requirement to be considered for admission, but is not a guarantee of admission. All of an applicant’s undergraduate coursework completed before award of the first undergraduate degree is included in the GPA computation. For courses that were repeated for credit, each attempt is included. 

B. Materials to Submit for Application to WGS MA Programs 

In addition to the information entered in the Slate application itself, the following items must be submitted for your application to be considered complete. 

  1. Transcripts: All applicants, including UWM students, must upload an official transcript directly in the Slate admission application system for all work done at higher education/post-secondary institutions. All applicants who are admitted to the Graduate School will be required to submit an official transcript with the degree posted within two weeks of the beginning of their first term of enrollment. Official transcripts are received by the graduate school directly from the issuing institution. UWM students will not have to submit their official, degree-bearing transcripts. International applicants should refer to International Admissions for more information. 
  2. Reasons Statement: An essential part of your application, the Reasons Statement is used to determine the appropriateness of your educational and professional goals and serves as an example of your ability to express yourself in writing. In the statement: 
    • Explain your reasons for pursuing graduate study in WGS. 
    • Describe specific interests and your background in the field. 
    • List any relevant skills or training you have acquired. 
    • List relevant academic awards or honors you have received. 
    • If you have experience or interest in teaching, please include that information (if you are applying for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship). 
    • List the names of those individuals who will write letters of recommendation on your behalf. 
  3. Fee/s:  A non-refundable, $75 base application fee is required of all applicants. 
  4. Writing Sample:  Upload a scholarly writing sample of at least five pages in length. This could be a research paper that you believe demonstrates your ability to research, organize your thoughts, make clear argument, and write. 
  5. Three Letters of Recommendation:  Submit the names and contact information of three references who will submit confidential letters of recommendation for you. After this information is entered in the Slate application, the system will then automatically e-mail these individuals with instructions on how they can upload their letters of recommendation directly. It is best if most (or all) of the recommenders are faculty (not necessarily in WGS) who are familiar with your academic work and potential.  

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