With a doctor of philosophy (PhD) in human sexuality studies, you'll acquire the practical expertise and research skills to become an empathetic leader at the cutting-edge of sexuality studies.
Doctorate
82-85
5-6 Years
In our doctoral degree in human sexuality studies (PhD) program, you'll gain essential training for a fulfilling future conducting empirical research and contributing to sexuality scholarship. Students in this program are often mid-career professionals already practicing as sexuality educators, counselors, or therapists who bring a wide range of knowledge from social work, counseling psychology, and other social science fields.
This program combines live (synchronous) and independent (asynchronous) coursework to provide flexibility to students working full time. Starting Fall 2025, all courses will be offered 100% online.
You'll work collaboratively with community educators, teachers, therapists, clinicians, and writers to develop skills in areas including:
Choose a specialization that fits your needs and goals and receive hands-on practical experience in either educational or clinical settings. Most of our classes are scheduled on weekends and evenings with working adults in mind, so you'll be able to keep your current job during your studies.
Through a practicum placement and a rigorous, research-oriented education, you'll graduate prepared to meet requirements to become certified by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists and excel in the field of human sexuality study.
The PhD in human sexuality places emphasis on research design and methodology and involves completing the MEd in human sexuality studies as part of doctoral curriculum.
After foundational courses in history and ethics, cross-cultural perspectives, relationships across the lifespan, sexuality research methods, and more, you'll be able to explore a specialization as you complete your MEd.
Then, your advisor will help you determine the best practicum placements for your needs, interests, and goals, as you hone towards your dissertation. The scope of the dissertation project must be such that it will contribute to improved practice or theoretical understanding within the field.
View the Loading... for curriculum and coursework requirements for the human sexuality studies PhD degree .
Enhance your knowledge and sex therapy practice or related work (e.g., clinical research, intervention development) in the sex therapy specialization. International consensus is that sex therapy is considered a subdiscipline of other clinical disciplines (e.g., social work, clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, professional counseling).
Please note: To enroll in the sex therapy track, you must either already hold a licensable mental health degree or must enroll in one of our interdisciplinary programs. Licensable mental health degrees include: MSW, LMFT, LCSW, LPC, LEP, PPS, MA in Psychology, or an MA in Counseling. Please contact us if you are unsure as to whether or not you are qualified to apply to the sex therapy track.
View the curriculum & coursework requirements for the sex therapy track.
Explore educational philosophy, teaching methodologies, and practical skills necessary to educate others about human sexuality in communities, schools, or universities. Students choosing this specialization often seek careers as community educators, teachers, educational consultants, curriculum developers, professional writers, or journalists.
The sexuality education curriculum emphasizes developmentally and culturally appropriate design, delivery, and assessment of educational interventions across the broad spectrum of human sexuality.
View the Curriculum & coursework requirements for the sex education track.
Ready to advance your career at the intersection of policy, advocacy and sexuality? The public policy specialization is for you.
Policies set at the local, state, and federal levels impact the scope of individual rights, as well as access to information and quality services in the fields of sexuality, reproductive rights, and sexual health. In this specialization, you'll gain greater understanding of the dynamic and complex policy sector and build skills to effectively advocate for positive change, concluding with a practicum component where you'll spend a year working in a professional setting that sets you up for success in the field.
Note: While the sexuality-specific courses are taught in a combination of weekend and online courses, the four public administration courses required for this concentration are only offered weekday evenings on Widener’s Chester campus.
Curriculum & coursework requirements for the public policy track
The non-profit management specialization will advance your skills as a leader of non-profit and/or non-governmental organizations that work in the sexuality sector and related areas (i.e. reproductive justice, sexuality education, public education and information, healthcare, etc.).
This track enhances leadership and managerial skills, as well as the advancement and communications knowledge necessary to thrive given the increasing demands and challenges facing the non-profit sector. The program includes a practicum component where you'll spend a year working in a professional setting to get real-world experiences that set you up for success.
Note: While the sexuality-specific courses are taught in a combination of weekend and online courses, the four public administration courses required for this concentration are only offered weekday evenings on Widener’s Chester campus.
View Curriculum & coursework requirements for the non-profit management track
Our curriculum puts you on the right track to meeting the requirements for certification by the American Association and Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT).
Widener University is an AASECT-approved continuing education provider for human sexuality studies. Earning certification from AASECT is an essential milestone in your professional journey, validating that you have met rigorous training and experiential requirements. AASECT provides certification for sexuality educators, sexuality counselors, sex therapists, and supervisors. For healthcare and human service professionals, certification is widely recognized as a fundamental prerequisite for practice.
The Center for Social Work Education and the Center for Human Sexuality Studies offer a joint MSW and PhD in human sexuality. This program prepare professional social workers to teach, consult, conduct research, and give counsel and therapy in a variety of settings on complex issues of human sexuality. Students pursuing the joint degrees take courses in both programs concurrently.
Because the PhD Program in Human Sexuality Studies involves completing the MEd as part of doctoral curriculum, you can start in the master's program before fully committing to the PhD.
Our education emphasizes practical experience, so you'll complete a practicum requirement that applies your classroom knowledge to real-world clients, students, and organizations. We'll help you find the best placement to fit your career goals and personal needs, and a faculty member will supervise and mentor you throughout your placement.
In addition to your field education, the Center for Human Sexuality Studies operates the Interdisciplinary Sexuality Research Collaborative (ISRC), where you can assist in applying research to shape innovation in sexuality education. You'll also find a plethora of research material in the library's Sexuality Archives that will aid in independent research projects.
Here, you'll find welcoming faculty mentors committed to equity, inclusion, diversity, and social justice. Our faculty are highly-skilled practitioners and educators who can be found influencing policy, conducting de-stigmatizing sexuality research, and performing at our latest drag brunch. They're passionate about your personal success and provide mentorship, feedback, and support during your studies and even after graduation.
In addition to fostering relationships with faculty mentors, you'll build bonds with driven classmates and accomplished alumni by attending events, joining discussions, and participating in various clubs and organizations, including Gamma Eta Rho - A National Honor Society in Human Sexuality, Human Sexuality Education Student Organization, and more.
"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."
The Center for Human Sexuality Studies offers the support and flexibility to help students advance in their careers, like Arial Moore who's nonprofit Safe Havynn Education Center received a $1.3 million federal grant to expand teen sexual wellness programming.
Widener's Interdisciplinary Sexuality Research Collaborative receives ViiV Healthcare grant to continue developing sexuality education resources and tools
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Please apply by January 10 for matriculation in the fall semester.
Simply apply to Widener and complete the financial aid process to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. Because Widener is a private institution, we are able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it. You might be surprised at how much we are able to offer in assistance.
In order to receive your part of the financial aid pie, all you have to do is submit your FAFSA. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources.
Widener offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to enrolled students. GAs receive tuition assistance for their work. Once you're a student, contact your program director for more information.
A limited number of university-based scholarships are made available to enrolled graduate students made possible directly from our academic department or thanks to the generosity of university donors. No extra steps are needed to be taken prior to admission. Once enrolled, contact your program director to learn more.
Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.
If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.
Hyatt Hall
14th St
Chester, PA 19013
501 E 13th Street
501 E. 13th Street
Room 104
