collage: Kimala speaks, group of students tabling, intersex symbol, students at graduation, two students working on a laptop

Grow. Prosper. Advance.
Be a part of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at SDSU.

We are pleased to announce that the department of Women’s Studies has officially changed its name to the department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS). The change reflects the current state of the field and communicates the wider orientation of our scholarly research and curriculum. It also affirms the belonging of trans, non-binary, Two Spirit, and other gender diverse people in our department and field. 

Our unit has the honor of being the first Women’s Studies program in the nation. We offered the first courses in Women’s Studies in spring 1970, and the Women's Studies Program was officially approved in May 1970. The program became a department with its own dedicated faculty lines in 1974. We began offering a minor in fall 1975, a B.A. degree in 1982, and an M.A. degree in 1995. Our faculty were also central in the creation of the LGBT Studies minor (2009), the annual Lavender Graduation ceremony (2010), the LGBTQ+ Studies B.A. degree (2012, the second one in the nation), and the Women’s Resource Center (2015). A full timeline of our history up to 2020 was created for our 50th anniversary celebration. 

Today, the department has 10 tenure track faculty, 10+ lecturers, one staff person, a strong M.A. program, and about 100 majors and minors. We explore all forms of social and ecological justice through intersectional/Women of Color and transnational feminist, queer, and trans lenses, and we bridge theory and practice as we work toward liberation. Our courses fulfill almost every general education requirement and draw thousands of students every year. 

Want to change your life?

  • Find your passion with us.
  • Find your voice with us.
  • Find a community with us. 

Want to change the world?

  • Get a global perspective with us.
  • Make a difference with us.
  • Be a part of history with us.
Department of Women's Studies cactus with pink flower

A Statement of Solidarity

with Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities

In solidarity with Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities, the Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies supports this statement by the National Women's Studies Association condemning anti-Asian violence and racism.

With SDSU's Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Resource Center and the Women's Resource Center, we strongly encourage all students, faculty, and staff to visit sacd.sdsu.edu/apida-pledge and commit to creating a welcoming and safe climate for our APIDA communities and to take action.

If you're in need of support, please reach out to [email protected].

with Black Lives Matter and SDSU Department of Africana Studies

SDSU’s Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies denounces racism in any form and violence against Black people, and we stand firm in our belief that Black Lives Matter.

We particularly affirm our solidarity with the SDSU Department of Africana Studies for their unwavering commitment to understand, teach about, and celebrate the lived experiences of all Africana peoples.

Please read their statement, and support Africana Studies at SDSU.

Stay Connected

Upcoming Events

Follow Us on Facebook

Get Involved

Join one of SDSU's student groups and make a difference on campus and in the community.