Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender (LGBT) Studies Certificate


Program: Certificate
Interdisciplinary Studies

College of Science, Department of Psychology
Neff Hall 388 ~ 260-481-6403

Program Coordinator:  Craig Hill


A certificate in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) studies is available to all Purdue University Fort Wayne students earning undergraduate degrees.  An introductory course and a culminating capstone course in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues are required of all students obtaining the certificate.  The program consists of three major areas of study, the first is specific to LGBT issues, the second is sexuality issues, and the third is gender issues. Students meeting the certificate requirements must complete three courses from the LGBT Courses group, two courses from the Sexuality Courses Group, and one from the Gender Courses group.  One required course in the LGBT Courses group is an LGBT course beyond LGBT 20000, or a course cross-listed as a GNDR course focusing predominately on an LGBT topic, or an independent study from any academic department focusing on an LGBT topic, this course must be at the 2000+ level or higher. The two courses selected within the Sexuality Area must be from different academic departments.  Furthermore, two courses fulfilling the LGBT Certificate requirements must be at the 4000+ level or greater.  The certificate can be earned and awarded independent of other degree(s).


Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this certificate, students will:

  • demonstrate knowledge of issues relevant to LGBT individuals and communicate this knowledge effectively to others
  • identify and apply the methods of inquiry for the disciplines that examine issues relevant to LGBT individuals and use those methods to evaluate information about LGBT individuals and other issues pertinent to sexual orientation and sexual identity
  • recognize bias and discrimination based on sexual orientation, and identify appropriate legal resources used to assist victims of such bias/discrimination
  • develop citizenship skills and knowledge of LGBT resources in the community
  • investigate companies’ policies and organizational cultures to determine attitudes toward LGBT employees

Declaring this Certificate:

Program Requirements:

  • A minimum GPA of 2.00 or higher is required for graduation
  • A grade of C- or higher in each course required for the certificate
  • At least 12 credits must be earned as resident credit
  • No courses may be taken on a pass/not pass basis
  • Additional information is found in the introduction above and in the program requirements section below

To earn the Certificate in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to those noted above:

Program Requirements


Sexuality Courses: Credits 6


 There are no prerequisites for courses unless indicated.

Gender Courses: Credits 3


Select one course from the following list.  There are no prerequisites for courses unless indicated.

Additional LGBT Course: Credits 3


Choose one of the following options:

  • an LGBT course beyond the level of LGBT 20000

  • a course cross-listed as a GNDR course focusing on an LGBT topic at the 2000+ level or higher

  • an independent study course from any academic department focusing on an LGBT topic at the 2000+ level or higher.   Students may request to substitute an LGBT-relevant course from another academic department in the place of the independent study, if approved by the LGBT program coordinator.

Total: Credits 19


Student Responsibility


You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program.  Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career.  If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean.