1. Women's and Gender Studies
  2. M.A. in Women's and Gender Studies
  3. Admissions and Aid

Admissions and Aid

We welcome applications from students of any undergraduate, graduate, or work background with an interest in women’s and gender studies. To apply, please follow the Graduate Center’s general admissions process via the online application.

Learn more or apply online

The M.A. Program in Women’s and Gender Studies application requires the following:

  1. A letter of intent, summarizing your reasons for applying and why you feel you would be a good fit for the program
  2. A writing sample of 10-15 pages that significantly addresses gender
  3. Two letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors who know you and your work well

We admit new students each Fall. For consideration in our next incoming class in Fall 2023, the priority deadline is January 15, 2023 and the final deadline is April 15, 2023.

Please note: The Graduate Center, CUNY, offers limited funding for MA in Women’s and Gender Studies students. We have compiled a list of grant, fellowship, and scholarship resources for master's students. Information about tuition at the Graduate Center can be found on the Tuition and Fees page.

Tuition and Fees

Master’s students at the Graduate Center who are residents of New York State and registered for a minimum of 12 credits per semester will pay a flat fee for tuition. Out-of-state residents and students taking less than 12 credits will be charged on a per-credit basis.

See current master’s tuition rates >>

Fellowships and Financial Aid

While the Graduate Center does not currently offer full-tuition scholarships or additional stipends for living expenses, there are funding opportunities available to master’s students that can help cover the cost of attendance, including scholarships, federal and private loans, and federal work-study.

Explore financial aid for master’s students >>

Grants and Fellowships for MA Students

Since 1888, AAUW has been one of the largest funders of women’s graduate education, investing in women who go on to change the world.

Fellowships & Grants – AAUW : Empowering Women Since 1881

AAUW Career Development Grants

Career Development Grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce in education, health and medical sciences, or social sciences. Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields.

Career Development Grants – AAUW : Empowering Women Since 1881

AAUW International Fellowships

International Fellowships are awarded for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Both graduate and postgraduate studies at accredited U.S. institutions are supported.

International Fellowships – AAUW : Empowering Women Since 1881

AAUW Selected Professions Fellowships

Selected Professions Fellowships are awarded to women who intend to pursue a full-time course of study at accredited U.S. institutions during the fellowship year in one of the designated degree programs where women’s participation traditionally has been low.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Selected Professions Fellowships – AAUW : Empowering Women Since 1881

These grants support women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance their careers, change careers, or re-enter the workforce.

American Association of University Women Career Development Grants

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for individually designed study.research projects or for English Teaching Assistant Programs. A candidate will submit a Statement of Grants Purpose defining activities to take place during one academic year in a participating country outside the U.S. Applicants for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program include: recent graduates; Master’s and doctoral candidates and; Young professionals, including writers, creative and performing artists, journalists, and those in law, business, and other professional fields.

https://us.fulbrightonline.org/#&panel1-4

These scholarships are open to U.S. law students who are national members of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). Please note: Students of all ethnicities are eligible to join JACL.

JACL Law Scholarships Program Details - Apply Now

Thomas T. Hayashi Memorial Scholarship | Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)

Sho Sato Memorial Scholarship | Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)

KASF scholarships are offered to the qualified Korean American Students (including foreign students from Korea). All applicants must be enrolled in a full time program in the U.S. during the scholarship application year. If extra funds are available, other students (non-Koreans) may qualify for scholarships.

Scholarship Info

The purpose of the National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) Women of Color Caucus-Frontiers Student Essay Awards is to discover, encourage, and promote the intellectual development of emerging scholars who engage in critical theoretical discussions and/or analyses about feminist/womanist issues concerning women and girls of color in the United States and diasporas.

https://www.nwsa.org/general/custom.asp?page=prizes#otherprizes

The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans program honors the contributions of immigrants and children of immigrants to the United States. Each year, we invest in the graduate education of 30 New Americans--immigrants and children of immigrants--who are poised to make significant contributions to US society, culture or their academic field.

PD Soros Fellowship for New Americans – Home

For Asian/Pacific Islander youth, self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender with demonstrated involvement in the LGBT community.

The Tang Scholarship

The Professional Staff Congress-City University of New York (PSC-CUNY) Research Award Program was established as a major vehicle for the University’s encouragement and support of research and to leverage external funding.

PSC-CUNY Research Award Program