MA / PhD Program

The graduate program in Feminist Studies offers three areas of emphasis, all from intersectional and transnational perspectives: Race and Nation Genders and Sexualities Productive and Reproductive Labors In addition to our M.A./PhD and PhD program, we offer admission to teachers and those seeking careers in the public sector or non-governmental organizations interested in an independent M.A. program.

A new generation of activists and academics

Download our MA/PhD Programs Flyer in PDF format.

Preference in admission is given to applicants who have a strong background in women's, gender, or feminist studies and evidence of potential for excellence in research, analysis, and oral and written communication.

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Admission Information:

Admission for Fall 2012 is currently closed. The Fall 2013 admission cycle will begin in late summer or early fall 2012.  To initiate the application process online, visit https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp/.

Graduate Students at the Lavender Graduation

• Statement of Purpose: Applicants should put their name on each page of their Statement of Purpose. The statement of purpose (typically 2-5 pages) should clearly indicate why the applicant wishes to pursue graduate studies in the field of Feminist Studies.
    
• Personal Achievements/Contributions: Applicants should put their name on each page of their Personal Achievements/Contributions. The essay (typically 2-5 pages) should describe any aspects of the applicant’s personal background, accomplishments, or achievements that will make a significant contribution to the diversity of the department and/or the campus.
  
  
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae: List your positions of employment or volunteer work/community service since high school, either full or part-time. Include awards, distinctions, and memberships if applicable.
  
  
• Writing Sample. Applicants must submit one copy of a research paper or some other piece of writing that best reflects research, analytical, and writing ability. This may be an undergraduate or graduate paper or policy paper. All writing samples must be in English (20 pages approximately).
  
  
• Three Letters of Recommendation: These letters should reflect the referee's evaluation of the applicant's overall intellectual and critical thinking ability, effectiveness of oral and written communication, and commitment to feminist studies.
  
  
• Supplemental Information Form: Download the form, fill it in, and then upload online.    
       Word Doc
       Text file
  
  
• GRE General test scores. Verbal, quantitative, and analytical scores on the GRE are required of all applicants. There are no minimum scores for the Feminist Studies program. Test scores must be received by UCSB no later than January 1. GREs taken later may arrive too late to for your application to be considered. Campus code for the GRE is 4835 -- no department code needed. For more information, please consult the GRE website at http://www.gre.org/.
  
  
• International Students Only. Students whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. TOEFL scores must be at least 550 on the paper-based test (PBT), 213 on the computer-based test (CBT), or 80 on the internet-based test (IBT). On the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), students must have an overall band score of 7 or higher. If accepted to the MA or PhD program, all students whose native language is not English will be required to take the English Language Placement Examination at the beginning of the first quarter in which they are registered. Students must pass the test in order to be eligible for a position as a teaching assistant.
     
• Official Transcripts (2 copies mailed) from all post-secondary institutions attended. Applicants must request two official copies of their transcripts from each college-level institution they have attended (where 12.0 or more units were earned). This includes junior college, lower-division, extension, study abroad, and graduate transcripts, regardless of whether or not a degree was awarded. Official transcripts or documents must arrive in a sealed envelope from the degree-granting institution. A copy of the diploma is not an official document. Since transcripts cannot be returned, foreign students should not send an original document if it is irreplaceable; they should obtain a notarized or certified copy instead. Documents in any language other than English must be accompanied by certified translations.

Please mail any hard copy materials to:
Christina Toy 
Graduate Admissions Officer
Department of Feminist Studies 
South Hall, Room 4631
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-7110

Supplemental forms (for example, required coversheets for letters of recommendation and statement of purpose, etc.) can be found at: https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/admissions/forms/.

Other information on the admissions process and helpful links are on the Graduate Division's FAQ page: https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/admissions/faq.htm.

Language requirement: Upon admission, Ph.D. students must demonstrate reading proficiency in at least one language other than English. Students must pass a language examination or otherwise demonstrate competency before advancing to candidacy. On an individual basis, alternatives to this requirement (for example, proficiency in statistics) may be accepted.