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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies ,Certificate

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies, Certificate

Academic programs / Undergraduate degrees / Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies

Diversity, Equality, Gender, Human Rights, Identity, LGBT, Social Justice

Learn from the lived experiences of those around you and make the future brighter for the LGBTQ+ community. Form connections while developing your skills as an engaged scholar to influence change in society.

Program description

The certificate program in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender studies offers students a multifaceted understanding of society.

Lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people play important roles as colleagues, clients, parents, children, siblings, neighbors, employees, employers, religious leaders and friends. Given the increasing visibility of and changing political climate for LGBTQ+ people in the United States, all students, not only those who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, are served well by learning about contemporary social issues regarding people from LGBTQ+ backgrounds and about their histories and communities.

The educational experience is enhanced when students are introduced to complex intersections between and among sexual, racial, ethnic, religious, geographic and national identities. This program's philosophy is to promote intellectual and pedagogical diversity as one of the university's greatest assets, and this is done in part by instilling in students a sensitivity to cultures different from their own and through careful analysis of the self in historical, artistic and sociocultural contexts.

The goals of the program are to give students knowledge about the history of, evolution of and current issues facing the LGBTQ+ community; practical experience using coursework knowledge in the community through an internship or community service project; and theoretical perspectives on heterosexuality as a presumptive sexual identity. Students gain an understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender studies as an academic area of inquiry and an understanding of community politics, dynamics and conflicts, and they engage in a use-inspired education that culminates in a public presentation.

At a glance
  • Second language requirement: No
  • STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Curriculum
Concurrent program options
Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission

Additional requirements:

A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the awarding of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Transfer options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.

Program learning outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:

  • Demonstrate knowledge about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
  • Apply knowledge about LGBT communities through directed research, an internship or community-based project under the supervision of an ASU faculty member.
Career opportunities

Graduates who have combined the certificate in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender studies with their major program of study may become more marketable to employers. They often decide to pursue employment in law, education, public service, and human welfare and social work. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.

Contact information

Program term definitions

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

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