From 2008 to 2012, the Sociology Department housed the Master of Arts in Women’s Health (MAWH) Program, the first professional degree program in the country focusing on women’s health from a social science perspective. The program consisted of a three-semester, 36-credit course of study, including an intensive hands-on practicum component during the third semester. Core courses and electives offered by the program addressed a range of topics designed to equip students with the broad contextual knowledge necessary to understand the complex forces that influence women’s health and well-being, and the skills to impact the women’s health field as leaders, advocates, researchers and practitioners. Required courses included the Sociology of Women’s Health, Female Physiology and Gynecology, Research Methods in Women’s Health, Diversity in Women’s health and Illness, and Women in the U.S. Health Care System. Electives covered a range of topics, including intimate partner violence, adolescent health, women’s health and the environment, Black women’s health, research methods, women and HIV/AIDS, alternative and complementary medicine and women’s health education and advocacy.  Students developed their leadership and skills through a wide range of practicum placements, including organizations addressing domestic violence, homelessness, LGBT health, breast cancer, reproductive health, childbirth options, teen pregnancy prevention, human trafficking and many other issues. Graduates have found employment in a variety of positions in Boston-based, national and international settings, as well as going on to pursue doctoral studies and medical training.

MAWH Graduates (by year)

2009

Erica Bartmanis

Darcie Bernier

Kezia Ellison

Michelle Marino

2010

Ellesse Roselee Akre

Dawn Choi-Kolack

Malika Clinkscales

Stacey Ferguson

Jaime Hill

Sierra Harris

Elizabeth Isabelle

Courtney Jones

Brita Lund

Joanna Prager

Marilyn Proulx

Margaret Rose

Kristina Sandfoss

Ashley Shoares

Ashlie Willis

Nyjah Wyche

2011

Trista Akers

Lindsey Bever

Tamara Buchanan

Charnell Covert

Codie-Anne Crew

Suzannah Dowling

Aliya Faust

Nourbese Flint

Rachel Hypolite

Sylvia Ikerionwu

Stacy Leavens

Sarah Livingston

Jennifer Mason

Natalie Massenburg

Leah Rubinsky

Allyson Schechner-Kanofsky

Tove Silver

Christine Sinclair

Colleen Thompson

Felisa Walker

2012

Salimah Bey

Lindsey Bull

Hadiyah Charles

Arielle Dance

Tanya Fairclough

Temara Holt

Yasmeen Long

‘Auli’I Nathaniel

Michelle Pomerleau

Chantal St. Louis

Elizabeth Whitham

Nekose Wills