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 utilizing 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.
Program Requirements
The certificate requires 15 credit hours, of which a minimum of 12 must be upper division. Each course must be completed with a minimum grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or better.
Required Course (choose one) -- 3 credit hours
Electives -- 9 credit hours
Notes: Only Interdisciplinary Studies major may use additional lower-division courses
Notes: Student must pick LGBT focus for course project and receive approval from certificate advisor.
Notes: Only Interdisciplinary Studies majors may use additional lower-division courses.
Notes: Only Interdisciplinary Studies majors may use additional lower-division courses
Notes: Only Interdisciplinary Studies majors may use additional lower-division courses. Credit is only allowed for WST 100 or 300
Notes: Credit is only allowed for WST 100 or 300
Capstone -- 3 credit hours
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.
Capstone Course (3)
Notes: Select capstone course with consultation of LGBT advisor.
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
Enrollment Requirements
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will apply knowledge about LGBT communities through directed research, an internship or community-based project under the supervision of an ASU faculty member.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered communities.
Career Outlook
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.
Example Careers
Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
- Growth: 18.4%
- Median Salary*: 49710
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary
- Growth: 4%
- Median Salary*: 85000
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
- Growth: 3.9%
- Median Salary*: 80910
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
- Growth: 7.5%
- Median Salary*: 52560
Lawyers
- Growth: 7.5%
- Median Salary*: 135740
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Growth: 11.4%
- Median Salary*: 90130
Marriage and Family Therapists
- Growth: 14.9%
- Median Salary*: 56570
Mental Health Counselors
- Growth: 18.4%
- Median Salary*: 49710
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Growth: 5.3%
- Median Salary*: 50820
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary
- Growth: 3.7%
- Median Salary*: 78970
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly.
For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor’s degree in 2.5 or 3 years.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master’s degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.
Accelerated bachelor’s degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
To add a minor, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
To add a certificate, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.