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Sexuality, Gender, and Queer Studies - Bachelor of Arts 2023-24 Degree Map

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree

Degree Maps show one way how you can earn a degree in four years. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. If you transfer credit to PSU, the number of credits you need per year will vary accordingly. 

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This guide outlines the requirements in the 2023-24 catalog. Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

PSU Bulletins (2015-present) about this content

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5Freshman Inquiry or Honors5
BA Second Language 1013-5BA Second Language 1023-5BA Second Language 1033-5
BA Fine & Performing Arts3-4BA Science/Social Science3-4UNST 231 or WS 332U4
Total Fall Credits11-14Total Winter Credits11-14Total Spring Credits12-14

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter Courses Winter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4BA Second Language 2033-5
BA Second Language 2013-5BA Second Language 2023-5WS 360U4
BA Science/Social Science3-4SGQS Upper Division Elective4BA Science/Math3-4
General Elective4General Elective4General Elective4
Total Fall Credits14-17Total Winter Credits15-17Total Spring Credits15-17

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4
WS 307U4SGQS Upper Division Elective4Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement (International)3-4
General Elective4General Elective4SGQS Upper Division Elective4
General Elective4General Elective4SGQS Upper Division Elective4
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits16Total Spring Credits15-16

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
WS 3814WS 4124Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6
SGQS Upper Division Elective4WS 4094WS 4154
General Elective4General Elective4WS 4824
WS 4092General Elective2General Elective1
WS 4112    
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits14Total Spring Credits15

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • UNST 231 or WS 332U: For the SGQS major, student must take the Gender & Sexualities SINQ; transfer students may substitute WS332U for this requirement. UNST courses used toward the major will only count for the major, not for UNST requirements. 
  • Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required.
  • SGQS Upper Division Elective: Transfer students may use 4 credits of a lower division Advisor approved SGQS course toward the SGQS elective requirements.
  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement (International): Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: WS 381 focuses on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BSt), Chicano/Latino Studies (ChLa), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • WS 381:  WS 381 is only offered Fall term. WS 381 satisfies the Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement-Domestic group. 
  • WS 409: Variable credit course.
  • WS 412, 415, and 482: WS 412, 415, and 482 are NOT offered multiples terms each year. Please check with the department for course rotation each year.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

Resources for Sexuality, Gender, and Queer Studies

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