"Mississippi University for Women v. Hogan" is a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1982, which addressed issues of gender discrimination in educational institutions. The case emerged when a young man, Hogan, challenged the admission policy of the Mississippi University for Women, which restricted enrollment to female students in its nursing program. Hogan argued that this policy violated his right to equal protection under the law, as it discriminated against him solely based on his gender. The Supreme Court, led by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, ruled in his favor, asserting that the state's rationale for the women-only policy did not sufficiently justify the exclusion of men from the program.

O'Connor employed an intermediate standard of review to evaluate the state's claims, concluding that the policy did not effectively address existing gender inequalities. She noted that since men could audit classes, the admission policy failed to meet its stated objectives. The decision was met with dissent from several justices, highlighting the complexity of gender-based policies in education and the ongoing debate regarding equal access. This case is significant as it set a precedent for future legal interpretations of gender discrimination and equal protection rights in educational settings.