Gender Studies Major Resources

Gender Studies explores a core aspect of our identities – our gender.

Gender is always considered intersectional, meaning sexuality, race, class, ethnicity, religion, and other cultural categories shape how we are gendered and how we express it. Gender Studies is a unique interdisciplinary major, teaching students how to analyze complex information from many different perspectives. It prepares students to succeed by focusing on the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and by fostering a deep appreciation and respect for the diversities of human identities.

Here you will find:

  • Key information about your major
  • How and when to meet with your major advisor
  • Planning tools that will help you track your progress in the major
  • Ways to explore career opportunities related to the Gender Studies major

Take a few moments to look at the information below. It will help you plan effectively and avoid surprises during your studies at John Jay. Please visit the Gender Studies Program website for information, resources, and opportunities!

Gender Studies Requirements

You are responsible for the major requirements that were in effect when you declared the major. To confirm the requirements you should be following, go to the Undergraduate Bulletin for that academic year. For example, if you declared the Humanities and Justice major in Fall 2015 or Spring 2016, you would click on the 2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin. If you declared the major and then left the College for more than one full semester, you’re responsible for the major requirements in effect when you return, if they have changed. Not sure when you declared the major? Find out here.

Below, find the Undergraduate Bulletin that was in effect when you declared the major.

The Gender Studies major is interdisciplinary and therefore allows you to take courses in a wide range of departments. A number of Gender Studies major options also happen to meet general education requirements. We encourage you to be aware of this possible overlap, know that it’s ok for major courses to also meet general education requirements, but make an effort to look at interesting ways to meet requirements that don’t necessarily involve overlapping courses:

U.S. Experience: ART/AFR 224CSL 260

Individual & Society: ANT/PSY 210ART 222GEN 101ISP 145LLS 255POL 237

Scientific World: GEN/BIO 255

300 level justice: HIS 375ISP 334POL 318

Major Advising

Gender Studies major advising is being done remotely in Spring 2024.

Gender Studies majors with questions during the Spring 2024 semester can reach out to Professor Olivera Jokic (ojokic@jjay.cuny.edu).

Gender Studies majors with questions during Winter session (January 2-24) 2024 can reach out to Professor Olivera Jokic (ojokic@jjay.cuny.edu).

Sophomores with 45-59 credits may have a major hold placed on their registration. The hold will be removed when they have a major advising appointment with the major director. Students should use AdvisorTrac to schedule that appointment. This meeting will encourage wise planning and allow students to ask any questions they may have about the major. How do you know if you have a major hold? Go to CUNYfirst and complete the following steps:

  1. Check the Holds box of your CUNYfirst Student Center. If "Advisement Required" appears, click on “details.”

Image

pic

  1. Click on “Advisement Required.”

Image

pic

  1. See which type of advisement you need. If you must see a major advisor, then make a major advising appointment following the steps preferred by this department.

Image

pic

Plan Ahead: Graduate on Time

Our core courses build your analytic skills. This means they are meant to be taken in a particular sequence, and some are prerequisites for others. It is important to be aware of this and plan accordingly. Keep the following tips in mind:

  • Some courses are only offered during the fall or spring semester. Do not let yourself get stuck trying to take a course during the spring when you did not take the prerequisite in the fall. Mistakes like this can cause you to stay an extra semester or an entire year. Talk with the Gender Studies program director to make sure you're planning ahead wisely!
     
  • Please use our Gender Studies Major Checklist to schedule courses in sequence and avoid adding extra semesters to your degree. ​
     
  • Remember that you will need at least a 2.0 GPA in the major and at least a 2.0 overall GPA to graduate.
  • DegreeWorks degree audit - Use this online planning tool to track your overall progress toward graduation. You will see which of your general education and major requirements are completed, in progress, or still needed.  Refer to the DegreeWorks FAQs to better understand how to use this helpful tool. Note: be sure to confirm the accuracy of your degree audit with a general advisor and the Gender Studies Program Director.
     
  • Gender Studies Major Checklist - Fill out this printable worksheet to keep track of which major requirements you have completed and which ones you still need.​
     
  • Sample Four Year Plan - See an example of how you could complete all your degree requirements (major, general education, electives) and graduate in four years! Remember that this sample plan shows just one possible way to combine your requirements.

A General Academic Advisor will confirm what general academic requirements you still need, make suggestions about smart course planning that will help you graduate without delays, discuss your interest in adding a minor or second major, inform you about opportunities such as study abroad, discuss general questions and concerns, and make helpful referrals. Visit the Academic Advisement Center's webpage for more information.

Gender Studies & Careers

“The Gender Studies program. . . teaches us to be better human beings. The knowledge that we gain from the course work can be applied to life right the moment we step outside of the classroom.” - Dominique Mendez-Rose, GS Major
 

“GS. . . helped so much with your professional and personal development.” - Shavonn Wheeler Senior, GS Major
 

"Gender Studies enabled me to study abroad. I had a great experience learning about the culture and traditions within Balinese society...I was able to strengthen my critical thinking and research skills. I met great friends and lots of cheery, welcoming locals. We went on many field trips to see the most beautiful and culturally rich places in Bali." - Christina Manuel (GS and ICJ double major)
 

“Gender 101, in my view, opened my eyes to reality. All this time, I was sleeping and not understanding society around me. This class enabled me to question my own society, my own gender and sex. . . There is so much that I have learned from this class that literally made me think outside the box.” - Sheikh Aktaruzzaman, Forensic Psychology major
 

Employers and graduate and law school admissions personnel do not typically look for a specific major but instead focus on the skills candidates offer. Critical thinking, problem-solving, writing proficiency, and being open and able to relate to a diversity of people is what they usually say they look for in a candidate. They also look for a high GPA. Gender Studies courses teach you about diversity and focus on the development of writing skills, critical thinking, and solving complex problems. Gender Studies as a major or minor prepares you to be a highly qualified candidate for advanced degrees and employment directly out of school. Graduates from the program have gone on to law school, graduate school in social work and other areas, the NYPD, and positions at social justice and governmental organizations.

Whatever your reasons for majoring in Gender Studies, it’s good to think about why you find this discipline so interesting, what skills you’re developing, how those skills will be valuable to your career. See How To Market Your Gender Studies Degree to learn about strategies for professional development. Listen to Professor Crystal Jackson talk about exactly what Gender Studies is, and how it prepares you for a range of professions that have a big impact on creating greater justice in the world.
 

The Center for Career and Professional Development is a great resource for all questions related to job searches, internships, and career preparation. CCPD staff are available to meet individually with students and alumni in L72.00 New Building. To request a 45-minute counseling appointment, log on to John Jay Careers Online. 15-minute drop-in sessions are available all day Mon-Fri. (Stop by in person earlier the same day to schedule a drop-in session.).

 

If you are specifically interested in law school, the  Pre-Law Institute offers many resources for law school preparation. John Jay students and alumni who would like to make an appointment with a pre-law advisor may do so either by stopping by the Pre-Law Institute in 8.66 NB, signing up on our advisement page or emailing pli@jjay.cuny.edu.