Contact: Dr. Sabah Randhawa, Provost and Executive Vice President

Date: November 28, 2011

Contact: Dr. Sabah Randhawa, Provost and Executive Vice President Oregon State University Phone: (541) 737-0733 E-mail: [email protected]

1. Institution and Program  Oregon State University  Master of Arts (MA) in Women Studies  CIP #: 050207

2. Program Description The Women Studies program at Oregon State University currently offers an undergraduate major, undergraduate minor, undergraduate certificate, graduate minor, and graduate primary and secondary fields in the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) degree program. In recent years, the Women Studies (WS) program has grown, both in terms of the number of students in WS courses and in the number of WS courses offered. The Master of Arts (MA) in Women Studies proposal is in response to: increased student interest in the establishment of a stand-alone graduate degree program; recent growth in the number of associated faculty; and the University’s emphasis on issues of diversity, student engagement, social justice, and social responsibility.

The proposed MA in Women Studies curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers in a variety of fields including higher education, government and non-government agencies, and nonprofit and private sector organizations--particularly those that engage in matters related to equality, diversity, and social justice. The Women Studies graduate program will teach students both to think critically about issues of gender, and to work in the world as responsible and engaged citizens.

The MA in Women Studies degree program will produce informed and culturally competent graduates ready to take on leadership positions regionally, nationally, and globally. Objectives of the program include:  To prepare students for doctoral-level work in Women Studies and eventual careers in academia  To prepare students to work in a diverse, global environment  To prepare students for leadership and careers in social justice and social change agencies, particularly those serving the needs of women  To enhance the knowledge and skills of students already working in such agencies  To prepare students to bring gender, social justice, and diversity perspectives to any work environment The MA in Women Studies degree program will advance Phase II of OSU’s strategic plan in the signature area of Promoting Economic Growth and Social Progress. In addition, this new graduate degree program will enhance Oregon State University’s commitment to diversity, social responsibility, and civic engagement and will help build local, state, national, and global leaders who can respond to social needs through direct service and public policy formulation.

There are no other higher education institutions in Oregon that offer a graduate degree program in Women Studies.

3. Evidence of Need and Target Population A needs assessment for the proposed MA in Women Studies degree program was conducted during Fall Term 2010. Three hundred and fifty-nine students responded to the survey that was distributed in Women Studies classes at Oregon State University. Of the responding students, 42% were at least somewhat interested in the proposed MA in Women Studies. Forty-five percent of the interested respondents cited employment or job advancement as an important motivating factor in pursuing a graduate degree program in Women Studies. The greatest number of interested students self-identified themselves as white females younger than 25. Needs assessment surveys were also mailed to regional employers including government, non-government, nonprofit, and private institutions. Of the surveys returned, 100% were interested in having an MA in Women Studies located at Oregon State University. Forty-two percent were “very interested” in the program. Ninety-two percent thought that the MA program would be useful for the professional development of their employees and that it would help meet their organizations’ future personnel needs. Based on the student needs assessment survey, the majority of individuals served by this degree will be resident full-time graduate students working part-time inside or outside the home. Many may be nontraditional in terms of age, marital/ partnership/parenting status, employment, or homemaker status. With the needs of students and potential employers in mind, the MA in Women Studies degree program has been designed by the participating faculty to support diversity in all its various forms as it applies to Women Studies.

OSU Office of Academic Affairs (11-11)