Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies ,Certificate
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.
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.
- College/school:
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Location: Tempe
2026-2027 Catalog Year
| Requirement | Minimum Grade | Credit Hours |
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| Requirement | Minimum Grade | Credit Hours |
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The certificate in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender studies requires 15 credit hours, of which 12 credit hours must be upper division. A minimum of six upper-division credit hours must be taken from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. When selecting courses, the college offering the course can be identified by viewing the course details in Class Search. Only courses completed with a grade of "C" (2.00 on a scale of 4.00) or better can be used to satisfy certificate requirements. |
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SST 213 Introduction to LGBTQ+ History and Culture
or
WST 213 Introduction to LGBTQ+ History and Culture
or
SWU 180 Introduction to LGBTQ+ Studies
(CIVI)
3 Credit Hours
Minimum
Grade:C
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C | 3 |
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SST 361 Queer Pop
or
WST 361 Queer Pop
3 Credit Hours
Minimum
Grade:C
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C | 3 |
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6 Credit Hours
Minimum
Grade:C
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C | 6 |
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Upper Division
Capstone All students will complete a three credit hour capstone experience after completing a minimum of nine credit hours in the certificate program. The capstone experience will be supervised by any member of the faculty approved by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies Committee. To get started, visit https://sst.asu.edu/content/lgbt-studies-certificate-capstone-instructions
3 Credit Hours
Minimum
Grade:C
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C | 3 |
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Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
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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.
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.
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.
School of Social Transformation
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WLSN 5th floor
SSTadvising@asu.edu
480-965-7682
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.
