Skip to main content Skip to local navigation
Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist & Women's Studies Faculty of Graduate Studies

MA

The MA is a one-year degree that students may complete either by Major Research Paper or by Thesis.

MA Degree by Major Research Paper

Masters students planning to undertake an MRP are required to complete 21 credits of coursework (3 full courses or 6 half-courses), including:

  • GFWS 6002 3.0 Feminist Theory;
  • GFWS 6007 3.0 Feminist Research Colloquium;
  • GFWS 6907 3.0 MA Seminar in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies;
  • one other half-course (3.0 credits) chosen from the program course offerings; and,
  • 6.0 credits of the students choice.

The final selection of courses will be determined in consultation with the faculty advisor and/or the Director of the Graduate Program. With permission, up to 6.0 credits may be chosen from courses offered by another Graduate Program at York. Typically, full-time students will complete all the coursework in the first two terms. (See Course Descriptions for details).

The MA Major Research Paper (MRP) is equivalent to one full course. The MRP involves either an original piece of research or analysis or a substantial review of research on a topic. Students should aim for a MRP of about 50-75 pages in length. It usually takes one semester of full-time focus to complete and ideally is completed during the third term of the degree (Summer).

More detailed information about the MRP can be found under Degree Requirements.

MA Degree by Thesis

Masters students planning to undertake a Thesis are required to complete 12 credits of coursework (2 full courses or 4 half-courses), including: Typically full-time students will complete all the course work in the first two terms.

  • GFWS 6002 3.0 Feminist Theory;
  • GFWS 6007 3.0 Feminist Research Colloquium;
  • GFWS 6907 3.0 MA Seminar in Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies; and,
  • one half-course (3.0 credits) chosen from the program course offerings.

The final selection of courses will be determined in consultation with the faculty advisor and/or the Director of the Graduate Program. With permission, up to 3.0 credits may be chosen from courses offered by another Graduate Program at York. Typically full-time students will complete all the course work in the first two terms. (See Course Descriptions for details).

The MA Thesis is equivalent to two full courses. It has a more formal supervisory process than the MRP and is governed by rules set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. It usually takes at least one semester of full-time focus to complete and ideally is completed during the third term of the degree (Summer), although many students undertake the Oral Examination in an additional fourth term.

Students planning to complete their thesis during their third term should have their committee
selected and the proposal approved early in their second term. The MA thesis should be based on original work and should demonstrate the candidate’s independence, originality and understanding of the area of investigation. The thesis is typically 100-150 pages in length. Once the Thesis is completed and approved by the students committee, there is a formal Oral Examination held in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations.

More detailed information about the Thesis can be found under Degree Requirements.

MA Time Line

The MA is designed to be a completed in one year (three terms). Coursework is usually completed in the first two terms and the third term is used to write the MRP or Thesis. The Faculty of Graduate Studies requires that a Master’s degree must be completed within four years (12 terms) as a full time or part time student.

Learn More

The Graduate Program in Gender, Feminist & Women’s Studies at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

Contact Us
How to Apply