Women's and Gender Studies

Simmons was founded over a century ago for the purpose — radical at the time — of enabling women to earn their own livelihoods through access to education. Today, we continue that legacy in all that we do.

Students sitting in class

Face the world with confidence, competence and conviction

Women's & Gender Studies courses, whether taken as part of the major or to enrich another discipline, invite students to understand past and present experiences in order to prepare for challenges and opportunities in their future personal and professional lives.

Our students develop theoretical, empirical and methodological perspectives for studying the status and experiences of women. By considering gender in diverse national and international contexts, you'll study the multiple and contested meanings and roles of gender to develop an understanding of how gender is related to other social categories such as race, class, age, sexuality, religion and nationality.

Our students find fulfilling careers in management, law, academia, counseling, education, library, museum or archival work, as well as health care, social services, public administration, writing, publishing and the media.

So you know that Simmons is a great place to be, you've learned about our programs, maybe even come for a visit...now you're ready to apply! Let's get started.

Our Faculty

Photo of Kelly Hager

Kelly Hager

  • Professor and Interim Dean of the Undergraduate Program
Diane Grossman photo

Diane Grossman

  • Interim Dean, Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities and Director of the Honors Program
Dawna Thomas speaking at podium

Dawna Thomas

  • Professor and Chair of Critical Race, Gender and Cultural Studies