With a doctorate of psychology (PhD) and a master of education (MEd), you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a leader in the field of human sexuality.
In our dual degree master of education and doctorate of psychology program (MEd/PsyD), you will take the inside track to a future as an educator, clinician, therapist, and sexuality professional.
Not only will you work with other community educators, teachers, therapists, clinicians, educational consultants, curriculum developers, professional writers, or journalists in communities, schools, or universities, but you will also be trained in:
At Widener, you will gain experience by doing. Through a practicum placement and a rigorous research-oriented education, you will develop the skills and aptitudes to excel in the field of human sexuality.
View the Loading... for course requirements and information.
All of our students gain hands-on practice experience in either educational or clinical settings, depending on their program track. Field experience is accompanied by a practicum course through which you will receive supervision from a faculty member. Field placements are located where you live, and students who live more than two hours away from campus can attend their practicum class through video conferencing.
For the PsyD/MEd interdisciplinary program, applicants need to apply through the PsyCAS website. Follow the prompts for the dual degree carefully, and include a copy of your most current resume. Students are interviewed and accepted individually by each program.
Please visit the Clinical Psychology (PsyD) program page for more information about requirements specific to the clinical psychology doctoral degree.
With a PsyD/MEd dual degree from Widener, you will develop the skills and expertise to excel as a sexuality educator and clinical psychologist and will be trained to use science to inform your practice.
Most of the classes take place only on specified weekends, so you will know in advance when you are required on campus. Because of this format, students commute from around the Philadelphia area (and further) and are able to keep their current jobs.
Note: does not apply to PsyD courses
Thanks to our highly trained faculty and staff who use current educational philosophies and methodologies, you will received an education that emphasizes affecting learning and cutting-edge strategies.
If you are interested in becoming certified by the American Association and Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, our curriculum puts you on the right track to meeting the requirements for certification.
I have been a therapist working with LGBTQ children, youth, and families for the last 20 years. I went into this work to raise the voices of individuals who are far too often silenced.
In 2014, I founded the Gender & Sexuality Development Clinic at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to have a way for Transgender and Gender Expansive children, youth, and their families to receive multidisciplinary care. In supporting these wonderful families, it became clear that there needs to be many more therapists who can provide support. My motivation in building this training program is to have more therapists in the community who can provide this great care.
"I love the interdisciplinary aspect of GWS--we move from analyzing a novel to looking up statistics on intimate partner violence, to discussing psychological and feminist theories, to applying all that back to the novel. It's the best way to learn and grow—after all life is interdisciplinary!"
“I identify as a psychodynamic therapist, with an active private practice, who utilizes these experiences to infuse my teaching and research interests with relevance for the practitioner of tomorrow. I have a keen interest in how to best train students to work with diversity across multiple dimensions (age, disability status, race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc.), particularly as it impacts both the treatment alliance and treatment process.”
"My approach to teaching is best described as embracing an existentialist and social reconstructivist perspective, emphasizing respect for what each student brings to the classroom and students’ responsibility for their own learning. In my teaching at Widener, these methods have resulted in positive outcomes as measured by student course evaluations and verbal feedback."
Our graduates finish our program ready to serve their communities and gain the experience to be leaders in their fields.
Bruce Hall
Kapelski Learning Center
Room 120