4+1 Application Instructions

Submit online application, including a non-refundable application fee, directly to the University of Cincinnati Graduate School website. Your application should include the following:

  • Personal essay: (approx. 1-2 double-spaced pages), in which you demonstrate your personal and intellectual commitment to women's, gender, and sexuality studies, your potential to succeed in a research-oriented graduate program, and your professional goals consistent with advanced work in the field.

  • Writing sample: in most cases, this typically will be an essay or research paper about women, gender, and/or sexuality related issues written for a prior college course. Can also include such things as a journal or magazine article or a grant application.

  • Current Resume/CV

  • List of Courses Relevant to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies that you have taken, including related courses in traditional disciplines, such as "Chinese Women's History," "Sexuality in Education," or "Gender and Media in Sociological Perspective."

  • Recent (within 2 years) TOEFL or IELTS Scores: Required for non-native English speakers. By the time the student enters the WGSS major to pursue 4+1, s/he should have the following expected minimum scores: TOEFL score: 100 (online iBT); 600 (paper-based); IELTS score: 7. Visit www.ets.org/toefl or www.ielts.org to register and find test times and locations (the institutional code for the University of Cincinnati is 1833).

  • Contact Information for one (1) letter of recommendation: Enter the contact information of an individual who can address your academic work in women's, gender, and sexuality studies. S/he will be contacted by email to submit letters of recommendation online.

  • Transcript(s): Because your undergraduate WGSS major was taken at UC, you do not have to submit an official transcript, as long as 1) you select "University of Cincinnati" as a previous or current institution on your online application or 2) you request an internal transcript to be sent to the department.

All applicants should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (see www.fafsa.ed.gov) by early February. All full-time 4+1 students receive 25% tuition remission during their single graduate year.

Prospective 4+1 students must meet with WGSS Undergraduate and Graduate Directors by the end of their junior year and should submit their applications for this fast-track MA by the beginning of their senior year in the WGSS major. If you have any questions, call the WGSS Department at (513) 556-6776 or e-mail our Undergraduate Director at womens.studies@uc.edu and our Graduate Director at wgssgrad@uc.edu.