Grad Handbook | GRI | College of Liberal Arts

Master of Arts Program in Gender, Race, and Identity (MA)

Drawing upon the scholarly literature in the areas of critical theory, feminist methodology and particular disciplines, including race and ethnic studies, women and gender studies, sexuality studies and social justice, the Gender, Race, and Identity M.A. provides an academic course of study in the intersections of identities that shape our lives and experiences. In their coursework, students focus on key theories about power, oppression, diversity and equity, as well as interdisciplinary methods and tools for critical thinking, communication, scholarly contributions, and/or project management and execution around a range of social issues. The M.A. enables students to take a range of courses that provide in-depth understanding of a particular area of the student’s choosing and provides ample opportunities for application of new knowledge. The curriculum is designed to allow for flexibility for students to focus on topics and issues of importance to their professional development while they gain breadth and depth in the study of important intersections of race, class and gender.

Three specializations are offered within the degree program:

• Applied Community Studies
• Interdisciplinary Studies – Non-thesis plan
• Interdisciplinary Studies – Thesis Plan

MA admissions requirements

Applicants to the M.A. program should hold or expect to receive a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year university. Potential applicants for the M.A. should talk with the Director of Graduate Studies to determine how they might prepare to apply.

Students pursuing the Masters of Arts degree must satisfy all graduate school requirements and specific departmental requirements. The department deadline for application is February 1 for fall admission. Candidates must provide the following application materials to the department:

• Graduate admission application form, including fees
• Official college transcripts
• A brief statement of purpose and goals
• Two sealed letters of recommendation

A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (unless the applicant has demonstrated unusual promise during his or her junior and senior years) is also required for admission to Graduate Standing in Gender, Race, and Identity.

International prospective students must also take into consideration additional requirements described in the section on International Students ot the Graduate School website.

Degree requirements (MA program)

General requirements:

• A minimum of 21 units must be earned in residence.
• All M.A. students are required to take some portion of the coursework at the 700-level or above.
• In the interdisciplinary studies emphasis (thesis and non-thesis plans) and applied community studies emphasis (non-thesis plan), at least 17 units must be completed in courses numbered 700 or above.
• The M.A. program requires a comprehensive exam as part of the degree requirements. In general, the exam is an oral exam covering the professional paper, portfolio, project, or thesis. Students must register for 1 unit of GRI 795, the semester they will be completing their exams.

To maintain “good standing” all graduate students are required to enroll in a minimum of three graduate credits each fall and spring semester until they graduate. International students may be required to enroll in nine graduate credits each fall and spring semester depending on the requirements of their visa. All students holding assistantships (whether teaching or research assistantships) are required to enroll in a minimum of six graduate credits each semester they hold the assistantship.

All graduate students must maintain a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0. If their GPA drops below 3.0 they are either placed on probation or dismissed. Undergraduate courses will not count towards graduate GPA.

Applied community studies emphasis (31 units)

In addition to core and elective coursework, students pursue internships with community partners and, in consultation with their committee chair, will complete a professional paper or project.

Core seminars (9 units)

Three GRI graduate seminars (9 units) are required, to be selected from the following:

• GRI 710 – Feminist Theory (3 units)
• GRI 712 – Theories of Identity and Difference (3 units)
• GRI 730 – Theories of Oppression (3 units)
• GRI 790 – Special Topics (1 to 3 units)
• 700-level GRI (3 units)

Note: Topics courses, such as GRI 790, may each be taken twice for credit when topic varies.

Interdisciplinary electives (12-18 units)

At least 12 units of GRI or interdisciplinary electives must be taken at the 600-700-level. These courses may be any GRI courses or graduate level courses in related fields from a range of disciplines including but not limited to Sociology, History, English, Anthropology, Communication Studies, Art, Education, Social Work, Geography, and Health Sciences. GRI seminars not taken to fulfill the Core Seminars requirement can be taken as Interdisciplinary Electives.

Courses are selected in consultation with the student’s committee chair or the Director of Graduate Studies.

Internship (3-9 units)

At least 3 and up to 9 units of graduate internship credit with community partners. Students are responsible for finding their own internship partners and obtaining approval, before registering for course credit.

• GRI 736 – GRI Internship (1 to 4 units)

Comprehensive examination (1 unit)

The comprehensive exam consists of presentation of the design and execution of the Applied Community Practice Project and an oral defense.

• GRI 795 – Comprehensive Exam (1 unit)

Interdisciplinary studies emphasis (non-thesis) (31 units)

In addition to core and elective coursework, students will complete a professional paper or portfolio. This option is especially well suited for students pursuing dual degrees.

Core seminars (9 units)

Three GRI graduate seminars (9 units) are required, to be selected from the following:

• GRI 710 – Feminist Theory (3 units)
• GRI 712 – Theories of Identity and Difference (3 units)
• GRI 730 – Theories of Oppression (3 units)
• GRI 790 – Special Topics (1 to 3 units)
• 700-level GRI (3 units)

Note: Topics courses, such as GRI 790, may each be taken twice for credit when topic varies.

Interdisciplinary electives (21 units)

21 units of GRI or interdisciplinary electives must be taken at the 600-700-level.

These courses may be any GRI courses or graduate level courses in related fields from a range of disciplines including but not limited to Sociology, History, English, Anthropology, Communication Studies, Art, Education, Social Work, Geography, and Health Sciences. GRI seminars not taken to fulfill the Core Seminars requirement can be taken as Interdisciplinary Electives.

Courses are selected in consultation with the student’s committee chair or the Director of Graduate Studies.

Comprehensive examination (1 unit)

The exam consists of presentation of a project, professional paper, or portfolio and its oral defense.

• GRI 795 – Comprehensive Exam (1 unit)

Interdisciplinary studies emphasis (thesis) (31 units)

In addition to core and elective coursework, students research and write an interdisciplinary thesis.

Core seminars (9 units)

Three GRI graduate seminars (9 units) are required, to be selected from the following:

• GRI 710 – Feminist Theory (3 units)
• GRI 712 – Theories of Identity and Difference (3 units)
• GRI 730 – Theories of Oppression (3 units)
• GRI 790 – Special Topics (1 to 3 units)
• 700-level GRI (3 units)

Note: Topics courses, such as GRI 790, may each be taken twice for credit when topic varies.

Interdisciplinary electives (15 units)

15 units of GRI or interdisciplinary electives must be taken at the 600-700-level.

These courses may be any GRI courses or graduate level courses in related fields from a range of disciplines including but not limited to Sociology, History, English, Anthropology, Communication Studies, Art, Education, Social Work, Geography, and Health Sciences. GRI seminars not taken to fulfill the Core Seminars requirement can be taken as Interdisciplinary Electives.

Courses are selected in consultation with the student’s committee chair or the Director of Graduate Studies.

Thesis (6 units)

Thesis credits (minimum 6 units) are awarded for independent work on the design and writing of the thesis project in consultation with the committee chair.

• GRI 797 – Thesis (1 to 6 units)

Comprehensive examination (1 unit)

The comprehensive exam is the presentation of the thesis and its oral defense.

• GRI 795 – Comprehensive Exam (1 unit)

Timeline for MA degree completion

The normative time for the MA program is three years. Advisors will monitor students’ progress to ensure timely completion of the requirements for the MA.

• Declaration of Advisor/Committee Chair form

  • For master’s students, the completed form must be submitted to Graduate School by the end of the student’s second semester

• Program of Study form

  • For master’s students, the completed form must be submitted to the Graduate School by the end of the student’s third semester

    • Graduation Application deadlines

      • Must be submitted to the Graduate School several weeks in advance. Check website for exact dates.

    • Notice of completion – completed form should be submitted after all requirements have been met.

One can find an updated list of Graduate School forms and requirements on the Graduate School website.

Guidelines for forming MA committees

1. Committees must include 3 people: faculty advisor/chair, inside member, and outside member (also called a graduate school representative). A fourth member may be added in consultation with the chair and graduate director if significant for your individual program of study.
2. GRI MA committee chairs and inside members must be drawn from core GRI graduate faculty, who are Boehm, Escobar, Etienne, Gayles, Harry, Hobson, or Huerta.
3. Outside members must be OTHER than core GRI graduate faculty. We encourage you to reach out to GRI associates to identify an outside member. However, be aware that this list is continually being updated, and faculty not listed as GRI associates may also be eligible to serve as outside members.

Thesis filing guidelines and forms

Students who pursue the Interdisciplinary Studies (thesis option) should be aware of filing guidelines and required forms particular to the thesis format. This includes the following:

Master’s completion form

Regardless of track in the GRI MA, once all requirements for the MA have been met, all students must submit a Notice of Completion: Master’s Degree form in order to graduate.

Dual degrees

Students who are in enrolled in the GRI MA and another graduate program at the University of Nevada, Reno (that is, dual degree students) should note the following:

1. Students in dual graduate programs may have no more than one faculty member in common between their two degree committees.

   1. If your committee chair for your other degree is also GRI core faculty (Boehm, Escobar, Etienne, Gayles, Harry, Hobson, or Huerta), that person must serve on your GRI committee, and we recommend that they chair your GRI committee.
   2. If your committee chair for your other degree is not GRI core faculty (someone other than Boehm, Escobar, Etienne, Gayles, Harry, Hobson, or Huerta), that person must serve as your outside member on your GRI committee. Note: These parameters are to ensure effective collaboration across degree programs. If you have questions about how to proceed, or if either parameter presents a stumbling block, please consult with the GRI graduate advisor.

2. Students in dual MA programs may double count up to 12 non-thesis units between their two programs.
3. Students in the GRI MA and a PhD program may double count up to 24 nonthesis units between their two programs.