With a doctor of philosophy (PhD), you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a leader and researcher in the field of human sexuality.
In our doctorate of philosophy (PhD) program, you will take the inside track to a future as an educator, clinician, therapist, researcher, and sexuality professional. This program trains professionals in the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to work with individuals and groups around the myriad of sensitive issues in human sexuality.
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 curriculum and coursework requirements.
All of our students gain hands-on practical 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.
With a PhD from Widener, you will develop the skills and expertise to excel as a sexuality educator and researcher.
Most of your classes will 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 beyond) and are able to keep their current jobs.
Thanks to our highly trained faculty and staff who use current educational philosophies and research methodologies, you will receive 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.
The Interdisciplinary Sexuality Research Collaborative (ISRC) at Widener is devoted to supporting, enabling, and producing a rich and comprehensive body of scientific research in human sexuality at the intersection of varied theoretical approaches.
"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."
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!"
Widener's Interdisciplinary Sexuality Research Collaborative receives ViiV Healthcare grant to continue developing sexuality education resources and tools
Bruce Hall
Kapelski Learning Center
Room 120