Gender and Cultural Studies + Public Policy

Simmons University offers a joint master’s in gender and cultural studies + public policy. This one-of-a-kind program will give you the tools to promote social justice and combat discrimination through policy change.

Our interdisciplinary degree combines our specialty in gender and cultural studies with Boston’s vibrant public policy environment. You’ll explore issues around diversity, race, gender, class, ethnicity, ability, and sexual orientation. You’ll also enjoy:

• Small, intimate classes
• Individualized pathways for every student
• Participation in the Consortium for Graduate Studies in Gender, Culture, Women, and Sexuality (housed at MIT) 

Why Study Gender and Cultural Studies + Public Policy at Simmons?

Our Master of Arts degree will prepare you to shape policy within government, business, healthcare, and nonprofits. The degree brings a pragmatic public policy approach with the broader, creative insights of gender and cultural theory.

You’ll develop core skills and essential content knowledge. Research areas encompass public policy, political science, public health, comparative politics, race, gender, sexuality studies, and more. Some other topics you’ll cover:

• Key theories of power, in the interest of helping you study and promote social justice.
• Theories of gender, race, sexuality, class, and ability.
• Prisons in political thought.
• The social and theoretical frameworks defining disability throughout history.
• Transgender politics and freedom.

You will learn to apply this knowledge in real-world environments. Professional skills you’ll develop include policy analysis, statistical reasoning, using evidence to make policy interventions, writing, oral presentations, and critical listening and informed responses. 

You will also have two options for capstone projects to deepen your knowledge and expertise:

• Working with a specific organization on a policy problem related to race, gender, ethnicity, ability, and sexual orientation. If you select this option, you might partner with their organization and do a formal internship. In this case, a 20–30 page policy brief would be the desired outcome for the capstone experience.
• Writing a 50–60 page thesis focusing on a policy issue related to race, gender, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, etc.

Careers in Gender and Cultural Studies + Public Policy

Our graduates are employed in various sectors. These include institutions of secondary, higher, and adult education; local governments; museums; and feminist publishing houses. 

This program prepares you equally well to work in a nonprofit organization. Our alumnae/i work in organizations committed to housing equity, ending gun violence, combating climate change, and supporting LGBTQ+ youth.