The Women’s Studies thematic was first listed in the Michigan State University Academic Program Catalog in the 1976-1977 year. A thematic is a concentration of courses from many disciplines which are taken to supplement a major course of study. Documentation indicates that a collection of interdisciplinary courses focusing on women were taken as an informal thematic at MSU as early as 1972-1973. In 1993-1994, the thematic was replaced by a cross-disciplinary major leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. This major emphasized the position of women in culture and society and the intersections with other social identities, including race, class, religion, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability and nationality. By 2000, a graduate certificate could also be earned. After a reorganization of the program in 2001, the focus of the program expanded to include issues of social justice and international relations. Although the College of Arts & Letters is the program’s primary administrative group, the program is also aligned with the College of Social Science and International Studies & Programs. Joyce Ladenson and Jayne Schuiteman were the primary directors of the program for the time frame these records represent.

The MSU Women's Studies Program was very active from the 1980s through 2000 in sponsoring events with nationally-acclaimed feminists and scholars.