Nurturing future diplomats, global policymakers, and leaders in West Africa for nearly four decades. Grounded in academic excellence, rigorous research, and cross-cultural expertise.
Credit Hours
Certificate & Honor Programs
BA Program
The BA Degree in Gender Studies and the Certificate Program in Interdisciplinary Research were offered for three years, beginning in Academic Year 2019-2020 to 2021-2022.
At the end of the academic year (2021), the college reflected on its goals and the University of Liberia’s vision to ensure that all academic programs reflected best practices. So, it had a curriculum review to raise the standards of its programs to effectively prepare our graduates for graduate studies, quality services in the job market, and job creation, using research as a tool for solving critical national issues.
The results of that curriculum review were threefold. First, it was agreed that the name of the college be changed from the Honors College of Research & Gender Studies to the College of Gender Studies & Interdisciplinary Research.
In addition to the change of the college’s name, it was also agreed that the college would offer four minor areas of study to reflect the structure of the other undergraduate colleges at the UL. The final consensus was that the Interdisciplinary Research program be institutionalized and offered to all students enrolled in the undergraduate colleges of the UL.
In April of 2023, at the end of the 2021-2022 academic year, the college wrote a Petition to the ACC and the Faculty Senate to change the name of the college, offer four minor areas of study, and approve the research courses to be offered to all students of the UL.
On April 25 & 27, 2023, both the ACC and the Faculty Senate approved the Petition. The College of Gender Studies & Interdisciplinary Research was officially approved to offer four minor areas of study, including Gender & Research; Gender & Economics; Gender & Statistics; and Gender & Peace Building.
The Honors College aims to provide an interdisciplinary research and Gender Studies platform that empowers students with sustainable research knowledge and skills to address critical national issues, including gender equality and advocacy.
The mission of the Honors College is to train the University’s brightest students to use effective research skills to identify and offer solutions to critical national problems.
Community service is enshrined in the motto of the College of Gender Studies & Interdisciplinary Research. Students will be trained to light the darkness with “Excellence, Character & Service”. Students will participate in service projects including clean-up campaigns, collecting toys for children in various orphanages across the country, setting up reading programs at various elementary schools, and volunteering services to gender advocacy causes in Liberia.
Capstone Honors Experience for Honors College Graduating Seniors
Senior students of both the Three-Year Certificate Program and the Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies will participate in a capstone honors experience which includes a student exchange program, a presentation of a paper at a partner Honors College, or a presentation of a published research project at the College Annual Research Symposium.
Minor Areas of Study
Students enrolled in the college will begin their minor studies in the First Semester of 2022-2023. They may choose a minor area of study at the beginning of their sophomore year. Each minor consists of six (6) courses with a total of 18 credit hours.
The minor areas of study are:
Upon graduation, students would acquire a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Gender Studies with a concentration or emphasis in one of the minors listed above.
Department of Gender Studies Curriculum/Course offerings
Three-Year Certificate Program in Interdisciplinary Research Studies
The Interdisciplinary Research Studies Department also offers a Three-Year Certificate Program to students enrolled in the Honors Program. In addition, sophomore students who already have a major in one of the six undergraduate colleges can take courses in the research program.
The Certificate Program will serve as a minor or an additional certificate for students in all undergraduate colleges, in addition to his/her major discipline.
Department of Gender Studies Curriculum
The total number of credit hours required to obtain a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Gender Studies is 142. This includes 49 credits of general education courses, 15 credits of Research and Interdisciplinary seminar courses, 60 credits in the major content area of Gender Studies, and 18 credits in Minor Courses. Students will be required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.250 or above in order to graduate with honors. However, the required GPA for graduation as a gender student is 2.500.
Provisional Courses
A set of Provisional Courses are on offer at the IBB School for students without a background in Political Science.
1.0 The LUX-IN-TENEBRIS Honors Scholars Program
2.0 Three-Year Certificate Program in Interdisciplinary Research
This program is taken by sophomore students who are already majoring in one of the undergraduate colleges. The college content will be taken in student’s college. The Certificate Program may serve as a minor or an additional certificate the student wishes to achieve in addition to his/her major discipline.
3.0 Degree Program: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Gender Studies
Dean
BSc, MA, FIAGP
Director, Honors Program
BSc, MPH, & MA
College Coordinator
BA
Secretary
BBA