Towson University to Discontinue Its Department of Women’s and Gender Studies

The department of women’s and gender studies at Towson University in Maryland is slated to lose its departmental status, according to a report from The Towerlight. 

Beginning in the fall 2026 semester, the women’s and gender studies department will be absorbed into Towson’s interdisciplinary program. Although the department will dissolve, students can continue to major and minor in women’s and gender studies under its new departmental home. The interdisciplinary department offers a wide range of other majors and minors, all of which have low student enrollment. As of the fall 2025 semester, only 11 students are majoring in women and gender studies.

While no faculty members associated with women’s and gender studies will be dismissed, the program will no longer have a dedicated department chair or conduct any administrative tasks associated with academic departments.