Master of Arts (Women's and Gender Studies)

The Master of Arts (Women’s and Gender Studies) aims to:

1. Support students to develop an appreciation of the rich, diverse and rapidly growing field of Women's and Gender Studies
2. Extend students' critical understanding and practice within the boundaries of a discipline area
3. Enable students to develop the capacity to apply feminist epistemology with interdisciplinary approaches
4. Introduce students to conceptual and analytical thinking, and the research and writing skills, necessary to complete a successful thesis

Develop a career around improving people’s understanding of women’s and gender issues, and help create systemic and structural change across a range of industries and organisations. Career opportunities exist in government departments and non-government organisations, the arts, advocacy and human rights agencies, education, consultancies, media outlets and private industry.

Potential occupations include:

• Gender mainstreaming specialist
• Women’s project coordinator
• Fundraising program officer
• International development officer
• Human rights advocate
• Women's rights advocate
• Writer
• Media creator
• Women's services worker

Potential employers include:

• Government departments
• Non-government organisations
• International development consultancies
• Organisations and private sector industries with a gender equality or equal opportunity policy and strategy
• Media outlets
• Schools and universities

Higher education

Masters applicants must normally hold an approved bachelor degree or equivalent qualification from an approved, recognised tertiary institution.

English Proficiency Requirements

Flinders University conducts an English Language proficiency check on applications submitted for consideration to its courses. 

This will be met in a number of ways, including if the applicants: 

• first language is English (i.e. citizenship is held for a country where English is the official language)
• completed secondary schooling in Australia
• completed prior study in English (e.g. a Certificate IV or higher from a recognised Australian training institution)
• completed one semester of full-time equivalent tertiary study at a higher education institution 
• completed a recognised Foundation Studies or bridging program 
• performance in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) meets the University's admissions requirements 
• registered with an Australian professional registration body relevant to the applicant's proposed course (e.g. applicant holds current registration as a Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Teacher, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker and such in Australia)
• achieved a score within an international English language proficiency test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Cambridge CAE that meets the minimum proficiency for the university
• completed an approved English language course from a registered English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Provider
• In some instances, applicants may be asked to provide evidence they meet the requirements if the information required is not available in their application. 

Credit transfer may be granted, on application, for prior study completed in a relevant honours, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master degree; accredited professional development; or relevant work experience.

Applications for credit transfer are assessed on a case by case basis according to Flinders University policies. Students must be made an offer for entry into a degree before lodging their completed credit transfer application, along with all necessary documentation for formal assessment. 

The Master of Arts (Women's and Gender Studies) requires 2 years of full-time study (or the equivalent part-time). The course specialisation is offered by the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

Offered both in-person and online, Flinders Women’s studies explores the importance of the concepts and constructs surrounding gender and society. Why so many think the way they do. How societies developed upon gender-orientated lines, and why it’s more important than ever to question taken-for-granted assumptions to build a more balanced, inclusive and just future.

It explores feminist politics and different types of feminism, women’s empowerment, human rights, indigenous knowledges, LGBTIQ issues - intersectional approaches help us understand who we are, and how we can better advocate for those whose experience is different to ours.

Recommended Study Pattern

The Master of Arts (Women’s Studies) offers a combination of coursework and a minor thesis. Topics cover areas such as feminist questions, gender and international development, Indigenous women, and media analysis.

Award Requirements

To qualify for the Master of Arts (Women's and Gender Studies), a student must complete 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.

Not all topics are necessarily available each year.

The course specialisation articulates with the 18 unit Graduate Certificate in Gender Mainstreaming Policy and the sequentially developed topics enable progression through the two awards.