Admission – Graduate Program – Women's Studies Department

The criteria for admission to the M.S. program in Women’s Studies are a baccalaureate degree in any field (women’s or gender studies course work is a plus), an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and a demonstrated ability to succeed in graduate-level feminist course work and capstone experiences. In addition, the department seeks graduate assistants who are bright, motivated team members who can demonstrate that they take initiative; are organized; possess strong time management and problem solving skills; and pay attention to detail. All applications received by the deadline will be considered for both admission and assistantship; those received later will be considered for admission only. The application process in both cases is identical.

To complete your application to the M.S. program in Women’s Studies, you will need to send one set of materials to the graduate college and one set of materials to the department. Literature from the graduate college will be sent separately, and will include information about procedures, application fees, financial aid, and graduate assistantships. Most of our graduate students secure graduate assistantships, which pay a stipend of $9,000 a year and include a tuition waiver. (Note that we do not require GRE scores.)

The deadline for fall 2009 admission to the M.S. program is January 30, 2009. Applications will be considered after that date on a continuing basis; however, priority consideration, as well as consideration for funding through the department, will take place in early February. Applicants whose complete application is in hand on January 30 will have an advantage in the department's decision-making process.

To apply for the M.S. degree in Women’s Studies, you must submit an application to the department. Please use the instructions and forms below. If you have any questions about applying to the M.S. program, you may contact our office manager Cindy Veldhuisen at veldhc@mnsu.edu or (507) 389-2077.

A complete application file includes the following sent to:

Department of Women's Studies
Minnesota State University, Mankato
109 Morris Hall
Mankato, MN 56001

An essay, approximately two pages long, discussing your intellectual and activist interests in the field of Women’s Studies, leadership skills that will qualify you for a graduate assistantship, and goals for pursuing the M.S. degree in Women’s Studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Please read the “Criteria” description above for guidance on preparing your essay.
Two letters of recommendation, with at least one from an individual acquainted with your academic ability and potential. Each letter must be accompanied by a completed Reference/Waiver form
Your resume

The following will need to be sent to:

College of Graduate Studies
Minnesota State University, Mankato
115 Alumni Foundation Center
Mankato, MN 56001

Completed Application for Graduate Study
Two official transcripts from undergraduate (and graduate, if applicable) degree–granting institution(s)
Completed immunization form
$40 application fee—make check payable to Minnesota State University, Mankato
Additional materials are required of international applicants. International applicants should visit our international applicant page.

Further Notes on Funding

Students who do not receive, or do not wish to receive, graduate assistantships in the Department of Women’s Studies may wish to apply for assistantships in other offices on campus. For more information about funding opportunities for graduate students, visit the College of Graduate Studies Assistantships page.

All U.S. applicants and returning students are encouraged to file a Federal Application for Student Aid as early in 2008 as possible, http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Through this process, students who are approved for federal work study may be appointed as graduate assistants in the Department of Women’s Studies, with the same benefits and responsibilities as all other graduate assistants.