Women’s Leadership BA

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Leadership combines the interdisciplinary study of women’s experience and representation with an emphasis on the key principles and practice of leadership. Students learn to ask critical questions about women’s lives in social, economic, political, and familial contexts, and to see connections in women’s lives across diverse cultures. This interdisciplinary curriculum combines coursework in women’s studies and leadership studies and is supplemented by a semester-long internship that provides students with practical work experience and opportunities to test leadership skills and strategies.

The major provides a solid foundation for students interested in advanced degrees in the humanities or social sciences, and for students pursuing careers in law, business, government, non-profit organizations, and work related to improving the lives of women locally, nationally, and internationally. Students develop strong oral and written communication skills, gain exposure to different leadership styles and paths to leadership, and learn the competitive skills they need to lead ethically in a rapidly changing global environment. The program is designed to work well as a double-major for students in the humanities, social sciences, and business fields.

The major consists of 33 credits and the program of study includes the courses stipulated in the curriculum map below. All students take a 12-credit core of required courses (Group I), which consists of an introductory women’s studies course (WS 1030  or WS 3010 ); a women and leadership course (WS 2300 ); a theories and methods course (WS 3490 , WS 4230 , WS 4360  or WS 4590 ); and a capstone senior seminar (WS 4010 ).

In addition to this core, students select six credit hours from courses that focus entirely on women or gender (Group II); six credit hours from courses that involve a substantial focus on women and gender issues (Group III); and six credit hours from approved leadership courses (Group IV). In addition, students complete a three-credit internship. While program faculty and staff help with internship placement, it is each student’s responsibility to identify and secure an internship in line with her or his career goals.

Click here for more information about Women’s Leadership.

Total Semester Hours: 120

¹ Students must complete through 2020 in a modern language. See Modern Languages Requirement   at Clemson University statement.

² See General Education Requirements .

³ Select from WS 3490 , WS 4230 , WS 4360  or WS 4590 .