Why Earn a Certificate in Sexual Health Education?

If you're passionate about promoting sexual health and want to build your skills as an educator, this flexible online certificate is a great place to start—or continue—your journey. You can deepen your understanding of sexual health education while choosing courses that align with your personal interests and professional goals.

Many students use this program to fulfill key requirements toward AASECT Sexuality Educator Certification, including training areas and, with the optional practicum, some group supervision hours. And if you're also looking to fulfill AASECT’s Core Knowledge Areas, you might explore the Human Sexuality Certificate or the MPS in Sexual Health.

The Advanced Sexual Health Certificate brings much needed human sexuality studies to a wider professional audience. Our program is:

  • Applicable. You’ll learn from experts who are currently working at the cutting edge of this field.
  • Accessible. You can take the Advanced Sexual Health Education Certificate online over as little as one academic year. Take courses that may not be offered at your home university or in your country.
  • In-demand. Sexuality education courses are often left out of standard training for many related jobs.
  • A career booster. You can earn a promotion or specialize your practice with expertise in this area.

What Is a Stackable Credential?

This certificate, stacked with the Human Sexuality Certificate, can be applied toward the Master of Professional Studies in Sexual Health degree. Watch the video to learn more.

Core Certificate plus

 

 

 

 

 

Human Sexuality Certificate

Elective Certificate plus

 

 

 

 

 

Sexual Health Education, Sex Therapy, or Transgender Health certificate

Six Elective Credits equals

 

 

 

 

 

Six Elective Credits

Graduation Cap and Scroll

 

Master of Professional Studies in Sexual Health

How Can a Sexual Health Education Program Advance My Career?

With an advanced certificate in sexual health education, you will gain professional skills in:

  • Writing sex education curricula
  • Working with vulnerable populations
  • Designing sexual health interventions
  • Evaluation and assessment
  • Innovative approaches to sexual health education delivery
  • Navigating ethical issues in sexual health education

Those who may benefit from a sexual health education certificate include*:

  • K–12 instructor or administrator
  • Educational consultant for corporations
  • Senior living health coordinator
  • Youth group facilitator
  • Hospital or clinic specialist
  • Peer educator
  • Wellbeing coach
  • HIV counselor
  • Community outreach coordinator
  • Victim services advocate

 

*American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists

AASECT Certification

The Sexual Health programs were developed in partnership with the Institute for Sexual and Gender Health in the University of Minnesota Medical School. Each HSEX course is approved by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) for up to 35 CE credits. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. 

The Advanced Sexual Health Education Certificate fulfills the 60 required hours in all five Training categories for Sexuality Education. Participants who apply and are admitted to the practicum course may also receive up to 20 group supervision hours by an AASECT-Certified Sexuality Education Supervisor. Completion of this program does not guarantee AASECT certification. For more information, contact [email protected].

Sexual Health Education Courses

Prerequisites 

Students must have completed HSEX 6001 Foundation of Human Sexuality or demonstrate appropriate external academic or professional experience before beginning the Advanced Certificate. Admitted students missing HSEX 6001 must enroll as their first course after admission.

Required Courses (12 credits)

For their remaining 6 credits, students choose two of the following courses:

Other HSEX electives may be approved in consultation with DGS.

Faculty

Advanced Sexual Health Education faculty are experienced professionals working in the fields of human sexuality studies, and sexual health and gender research, education, and policy.

Meet the Faculty

Apply

Fall Semester Application Deadline: May 1 and June 1*
Spring 2025 Semester Application Deadline: November 1

We strive to be fair in the admissions process. Our program thrives when we have students from different backgrounds and cultural experiences. The admissions committee completes a holistic review of all required application materials to ensure that you will be successful in the program. We do not require standardized test scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

You will receive an admission decision four to six weeks after the application deadline. Learn more about the application process in the video below. If you have questions about admission requirements, or would like advice on how to gather your application materials, please contact admissions advisor Steve Wicks.

*We will accept applications for admission on a space-available basis until June 1, 2025.

Read the video transcript.

Admission Requirements

We welcome applications from students who have:

  • a bachelor's degree from an accredited post-secondary US institution or its international equivalent
  • an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00*

* If your GPA is lower than 3.00, please provide an explanation in the extenuating circumstances part of your professional statement.

Important Note

If you have finished or are currently admitted to the MPS in Sexual Health, or one or more of the sexual and gender health certificates, please contact your academic advisor. It may be possible to reuse some of your application materials.

Please be aware that certificate students are not eligible for federal financial aid. If you’re considering applying for the MPS in Sexual Health in addition to the certificate, keep in mind that only master’s degree students are eligible for federal financial aid. Please see the Financial Aid page for more information about other funding options including CCAPS scholarships.

View Application Instructions

Admissions Advising

Graduate enrollment advisor Steve Wicks is happy to answer your questions about the Sexual Health Education program and the application procedure.

Or you can give Steve a call at 612-301-6127.

Do you have a more detailed question or want to tell us a little bit about yourself before the meeting? Fill out this brief questionnaire.

Our Stories

Request Program Information

Do you want to receive:

  • snapshots of how other students put their education to work on the job?
  • ideas about how to fund your program?
  • career-boosting tips and inspiration?
  • stories about key faculty?
  • highlights on core courses?
  • generally interesting news about the program?

You can sign up for periodic updates here and we'll deliver these and more right to your inbox.

Important Links