Widener University

We are still accepting applications for Fall 2012!

Please contact our graduate assistants at 610-499-1378 or humansexualityprogram@mail.widener.edu for more information.

Do you want to earn a PhD from the only doctoral program in human sexuality in the country offered by a fully accredited university? Or, might you want to learn to be a sexuality educator or sex therapist by enrolling in our Masters or dual-degree programs?

Choosing one of our master's, doctoral, or dual-degree programs allows you to work towards becoming a certified sexuality educator, counselor, or therapist through a “Special Status Agreement” with the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). 

Programs can be completed as either a full or part-time student. We offer both clinical and educational tracks depending upon your personal and professional goals.  Whether part-time or full-time, you can receive an individual Masters of Education in Human Sexuality, or Doctor of Philosophy in Human Sexuality. 

Program Features

• Reasonable tuition costs. 
  
• Classes offered on weekends and weeknights for working professionals and commuters from across the country
• Supervised field experience during practicum placement
• Use of current educational philosophies and methodologies appropriate for all learning styles
• Emphasis on affective learning 

The human sexuality programs prepare future and current professionals to teach, consult, provide counseling and therapy and conduct research in a variety of settings on complex issues related to human sexuality.  Graduates are able to:

• Communicate, plan, implement and evaluate human sexuality curricula using a variety of methods in a range of settings
• Access accurate, current knowledge of the literature in the field of human sexuality
• Demonstrate knowledge and proficiency as it relates to excellence in research 
• Identify their own values on sexuality issues and assess their effect on their practice
• Use interviewing and therapeutic skills in human sexuality with individuals, couples, and families
• Acknowledge and accept the human diversity of age, gender, identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race and religion
•  Be aware that professionals serve as role models and accept this responsibility

Is This Program For You?

Whether you are a teacher, social worker, psychologist, nurse, counselor, clergy person, physician, or right out of college, these programs are for you if you want to:

• Provide community education and training programs related to sexuality and sexual health
• Incorporate sexuality education in K-12 and health education classrooms
• Teach sexuality education at the college level
• Offer counseling or therapy with a sexuality specialization
• Engage in sex research and scholarship
• Work within communities of faith regarding sexuality issues
• Advise policymakers on issues such as HIV/AIDS, adolescent pregnancies, sexual orientation, gender, and power from a multicultural perspective
• Become a certified sexuality educator, counselor or therapist through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) 
  

Weekend and Weeknight Classes

Classes offered on weekends provide access to study for people working during the week, and/or commuting from a distance. In fact, many of our students drive from within the Philadelphia metropolitan region, or fly into the nearby Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to take classes on Widener's Main Campus in Chester, Pennsylvania. Since 1999, when the human sexuality program was transferred to Widener University from the University of Pennsylvania, we have thrived, growing in the diversity of the students, and the number of options for those who want to pursue a career in human sexuality education. 

As a full-time student in one of the Human Sexuality programs you would register for 3 courses. Each course requires that you attend 2 weekends of class. So for example, a full-time student is required to attend 6 weekends of class per semester. As a part-time student, you will register for 2 courses, equaling 4 weekends of class per semester.   Weeknight classes provide students living locally with the option of having a class that  meets for 3 hours each week throughout the semester.

How do I apply?

Submit an online application and mail your supporting documents to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Management.

*Please note that you should submit two (2) academic recommendations and one (1) professional recommendation.

Contact our graduate assistants at 610-499-1378 or humansexualityprogram@mail.widener.edu with any questions.