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 who choose this major are taught 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. An interdisciplinary curriculum that combines coursework in gender  studies and leadership studies includes 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. The major gives students strong oral and written communication abilities, exposure to different leadership styles and paths to leadership, and 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 and social sciences.

The program of study includes the courses stipulated in the curriculum map below. The major consists of 33 credits. All students complete an 18-credit core of required courses, which consists of an introduction to women’s studies course (WS 1030  or WS 3010 ); a core gender theories and methods course (ENGL 4360 , PHIL 3490 , SOC 4610 , or WS 3490 ); a two-course sequence on women and leadership (WS 2300  and WS 2400 ); an individually designed and approved internship (WS 3900 ); and a senior capstone seminar (WS 4010 ).

In addition to the major’s core, students select 15 credits from a list of courses related to or affiliated with women’s studies (listed in footnote four of the curriculum map.) Special topics courses in various departments may also meet this requirement. Students should check the program’s website for a list of other qualifying courses in a specific term, and should be aware that a course substitution form must be submitted in order for such a course(s) to count towards the completion of major and graduation requirements.

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 ENGL 4360 , PHIL 3490 , SOC 4610 , or WS 3490  

⁴ Select from AAH 3050 , ANTH 4230 , COMM 4550 , COMM 4800 , ECON 4350 , ENGL 3530 , ENGL 3800 , ENGL 4360 , ENGL 4530 , ENGL 4820 , ENGL 4830 , FR 4100 , HIST 3160 , HIST 3180 , HIST 3190 , HIST 3530 , HLTH 3100 , PHIL 3280 , PHIL 3490 , POSC 4580 , POSC 4800 , PRTM 3250 , PSYC 3060 , PSYC 4080 , PSYC 4800 , SOC 3100 , SOC 3110 , SOC 4600 , SOC 4840 , SPAN 4030 , THEA 3170 , THEA 3180 , WS 3490 , WS 4590 , WS 4900 , and WS 4950 . Special topics courses in various departments may also meet this requirement. Students should check the program’s website for a list of other qualifying courses in a specific term, and should be aware that a course substitution form must be submitted in order for such a course(s) to count towards the completion of major and graduation requirements.