Bachelor of Arts Major in Women's and Gender Studies

At a glance

Credential: degree
Credits: 120
Next start: monthly

Athabasca University's online women's and gender studies program will develop or expand your knowledge of the established field of women's studies and the emerging field of gender studies.

35
Average age
89%
Employment rate
^$65k
Median income
95%
Student satisfaction

Source: 2023 AU institutional data and 2022 Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS)

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About Bachelor of Arts Major in Women's and Gender Studies

Unlock a deeper understanding of the world around you with Athabasca University's online women’s and gender studies program. Dive into the transformative power of feminist and gender theories, learning how they have shaped the experiences of women across time and various contexts. At the same time, you'll develop a critical awareness of the systems that foster inequality and oppression, such as patriarchy and racism, all while exploring empowering alternatives for social justice and equity.

Discover how feminist and gender theories, concepts, history, methodologies, research, and activism inform the lives and experiences of women across time and place. You will also learn about gender as a social construct within a variety of contexts.

Admission requirements

There are no formal admission requirements for the 4-year program. All you need is to be 16 or older. You can enrol anytime and start right away, regardless of your previous education.

Program details

Overview

Develop your awareness of the historical, cultural and political bases of prejudice, discrimination, inequalities, and oppression. Consider and analyze how intersecting systems of oppression condition humans' lives, including:

patriarchy
heteronormativity
racism
colonialism
capitalism

You will explore feminist insights and alternatives that foster solidarity, equity, and social justice among diverse human experiences and ways of life.

Routes and options

The Bachelor of Arts, Women's and Gender Studies Major is an online, 4-year degree program. There are no set start dates - you can enrol at any time and register for courses right away.

Bachelor of Arts, Women's and Gender Studies Major (4-year online degree)

A 4-year degree fully prepares students for most graduate programs.
The 4-year BA program allows you to pursue either a double major or a minor.
- Double majors must meet the requirements for both majors, which may restrict course selection or require additional credits above the 120 required for the BA.
- You should talk to an academic advisor about your program and courses if you're considering a double major.
- To earn a minor you must complete 30 credits in that subject area.
List of minors:
- Anthropology
- Canadian Studies
- English
- French
- Global Studies
- History
- Humanities
- Inclusive Education
- Labour Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Economy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology

Note: AU does not offer an Honours BA.

Completion times

Finish this program in as little as 4 years of full-time study, or work at your own pace and take as long as you need. There is no time limit for completion. The program may be completed faster if transfer credit is applied toward your degree.

How to apply

You can apply to AU online, anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.

How to enrol in an undergraduate program

Transfer and advanced credit

If you have previous post-secondary education or significant life and work experience that relates to this program, you may be eligible for transfer credit or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). This could mean fewer courses to get your AU degree.

If you transfer credit, you must complete a minimum of 30 credits at AU.

Learn about transfer and advanced credit at AU

Request and send your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit.

Learn more about MyCreds

Tuition and fees

Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.

You can estimate your total program cost by multiplying the cost of a 3-credit course by the number of courses you need to take for the program. Remember that tuition costs may increase each year.

0 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$163
Course Materials Fee	$56 (*exceptions apply)
0 credit total	$828

1 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$203
Students' Union Fee ($3.75)	$3.75
1 credit total	$206.75

3 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$163
Course Materials Fee	$56 (*exceptions apply)
Students' Union ($11.25) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$13.25
3 credit total	$841.25

4 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$812
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$163
Course Materials Fee	$56 (*exceptions apply)
Students' Union ($15) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$17
4 credit total	$1,048

6 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee (except HADM 435*)	$1,218
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$163
Course Materials Fee	$56 (*exceptions apply)
Students' Union ($22.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$24.50
6 credit total	$1,461.50
* HADM 435 base tuition fee is $1,437. (Total = $1,680.50)

9 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$1,827
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$163
Course Materials Fee	$56 (*exceptions apply)
Students' Union ($33.75) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$35.75
9 credit total	$2,081.75

0 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$163
Course Materials Fee	$56 (*exceptions apply)
Out of Province Fee	$175
0 credit total	$1,003

1 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$203
Students' Union Fee ($3.75)	$3.75
1 credit total	$206.75

3 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$163
Course Materials Fee	$56 (*exceptions apply)
Students' Union ($11.25) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$13.25
Out of Province Fee	$175
3 credit total	$1,016.25

4 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$812
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$163
Course Materials Fee	$56 (*exceptions apply)
Students' Union ($15) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$17
Out of Province Fee	$175
4 credit total	$1,223

6 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee (except HADM 435*)	$1,218
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$163
Course Materials Fee	$56 (*exceptions apply)
Students' Union ($22.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$24.50
Out of Province Fee	$175
6 credit total	$1,636.50
HADM 435 base tuition fee is $1,437 (Total = $1,855.50)

9 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$1,827
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$163
Course Materials Fee	$56 (*exceptions apply)
Students' Union ($33.75) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$35.75
Out of Province Fee	$175
9 credit total	$2,256.75

0 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$163
Course Materials Fee	$56 ( *exceptions apply)
Out of country fee	$784 **
0 credit total	$1,612

1 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$203
Students' Union Fee ($3.75)	$3.75
Out of country fee	$261
1 credit total	$467.75

3 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$163
Course Materials Fee	$56 ( *exceptions apply)
Students' Union ($11.25) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$13.25
Out of country fee	$784 **
3 credit total	$1,625.25

4 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$812
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$163
Course Materials Fee	$56 ( *exceptions apply)
Students' Union ($15) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$17
Out of country fee	$784 **
4 credit total	$1,832

6 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$1,218
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$163
Course Materials Fee	$56 ( *exceptions apply)
Students' Union ($22.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$24.50
Out of country fee	$784 **
6 credit total	$2,245.50

9 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
Tuition fee	$1,827
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$163
Course Materials Fee	$56 ( *exceptions apply)
Students' Union ($33.75) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$35.75
Out of country fee	$784 **
9 credit total	$2,865.75

Courses

Embark on a transformative educational journey with AU's online women’s and gender studies program, where you'll develop the skills to critically examine the complex intersections of gender, race, and other social factors. Learn to apply feminist insights and intersectional methods to not only understand but also challenge prejudice, discrimination, and inequity in various aspects of life—preparing you for a diverse range of academic disciplines and positive community impact.

To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Bachelor of Arts, plus those specific to your major, minor or concentration.

Our program course plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you'll take them in. If you're feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.

Program requirements

Program course plan

Top courses

Here are some of the most popular courses students take in this program.

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Career options

With an online degree in women's and gender studies from AU, you'll be well-equipped for careers in a diverse range of fields that value critical thinking and social justice advocacy. Whether you're interested in human services, public policy, non-profit organizations, or academic research, your skills will empower you to challenge inequality and foster positive change in your community and beyond.

Some careers could include:

addictions counsellor
advocate for women's/children's rights
program coordinator
researcher
teacher
program advisor
child welfare worker
education coordinator
residential counsellor
lobbyist
journalist
mental health-care counsellor
social service worker
fundraising consultant
training and technical assistance specialist
crisis intervention worker
life skills worker
rehabilitation advisor
organizer/coordinator

Resources and links

Additional information that you need to know about AU and this program.

Program resources

Additional resources

Program contact

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