About PhD Program,
Our graduate program provides a rigorous interdisciplinary education designed to develop well-prepared scholars in the field of feminist studies and gender, women, and sexuality studies. Feminist studies PhD majors and minors pursue general and specialized courses in feminist studies while conducting scholarly research and analysis that truly drives change. Our graduate students are scholars, teachers, and activists, bringing to their work remarkable intelligence and a commitment to analyzing how power operates in and across societies, economies, and cultures. Along with feminist studies, the contribution of queer and trans* studies—in regard to gender, sexuality, and biological bodies—is also a central component of our graduate program.
We offer a wide variety of courses, with emphases in:
- Critical race and transnational feminisms
- Social movements
- Critical gender and sexualities, trans*, and queer studies
- Feminist ethnography and geography
- Feminist health, medicine, and science studies
- Intersections of race, ethnicity, and nationalism
Combining interdisciplinary breadth and specific area concentrations, we train graduate students to respond to today’s most pressing global realities. Feminist studies graduate faculty members are excellently positioned to help students develop dynamic programs of study. Our core faculty and affiliates are part of internationally acclaimed research initiatives in the areas of race and social justice, global health, law and society, popular media, music and the arts, politics and social movements, race and migration, development and political economy, food justice, and human rights.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
To be in good standing, candidates must maintain a 3.5 GPA and make timely progress on their exams and dissertation writing. The department follows the University’s policies and standards for performance and progress in a doctoral program.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores may be required by your program of interest.
International and domestic applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English language proficiency. A TOEFL, MELAB, IELTS, PTE Academic, or Cambridge C1 Advanced test is required for applicants whose first language is not English.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Fellowships, grants, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and loans provide the most common forms of support for graduate students.
Your graduate program’s Director of Graduate Studies will offer guidance finding the resources you need to finance your graduate education. In addition, your employer may offer tuition reimbursement.
Tuition costs vary by school year and are based on the number of credits you plan to take. Students who are residents of Minnesota or who live in an area with reciprocity agreements are eligible for reduced tuition costs compared to non-residents.
Application Requirement,
Create an online application account.
Click on “Start New Application” for each application you intend to submit, and follow your program’s application instructions. Please note that you will need to pay a separate application fee for each application you submit.
We highly encourage you to contact your program(s) of interest regarding their individual admissions requirements, timelines, and processes.
- Unofficial transcript(s) for each institution attended.Non-English transcripts must include an English translation.
- Personal Statement/Research Statement (2-3 pages).Please provide a statement outlining your immediate educational and long-range career objectives in relation to your chosen field. If there is a particular faculty member with whom you wish to study, please give that person’s name and explain why you want to study with that person. You may also wish to include other information, such as any undergraduate research experience, internships, or other experience you may have had to document your preparation for advanced study in your chosen field.
- Diversity Statement (1 page). Enrolling and graduating a diverse student body is central to the University of Minnesota’s mission. Please write a statement that identifies the distinctive qualities, characteristics, and life experiences you would contribute to your graduate program and to the education of fellow students at the University of Minnesota. You may wish to include examples that address your contribution to the diversity of the student body and illustrate your motivation to succeed by setting high standards for accomplishing intellectual and other goals, overcoming obstacles to achievement, and/or helping others to gain access to the resources necessary for success.
- Extenuating Circumstances Statement (1 page, optional).If you would like to provide an explanation of circumstances that contributed to your test scores or GPA, please do so.
- Resumé/CV.May include descriptions of research or work experience, if relevant.
- Writing sample (up to 20 pages).Scholarly writing on a topic related to feminist studies. The sample may be excerpted from a longer work, but may not exceed 20 pages.
- Graduate Program Additional Material (1 page).Statement focused on examples from your life history that demonstrate your motivation or drive to succeed at past goals you have set.
- Three letters of recommendation.These are uploaded by your recommenders electronically. You will have the opportunity to enter their names and email addresses in the online application system. The department requires that you waive your right to examine the letters; check this option when prompted via the application. Do not submit paper copies of the letters to the department. Letters of recommendation should address:
- The applicant’s working relationship with the recommender
- The applicant’s intellectual ability, ability in research, and professional skills and creativity
- The quality of the applicant’s previous work and promise of productive scholarship especially in the field of feminist studies
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2024
Application Fee,
- International ($95.00)
- S. citizen/permanent resident ($75.00)
