Health Care for All

Do you hold a license in nursing, social work, family science, or psychology? Or maybe you’re pursuing a professional degree in medicine, pharmacy, or dentistry? Health care professionals who can deliver sensitive, competent care to transgender and gender-diverse patients and clients are more in demand than ever.

The Transgender and Gender Diverse Health Certificate is for people who want to make a difference on the front lines of health care, patient advocacy, or education. Whether you’re a practicing clinician or just starting out, now is the time to make a commitment to provide gender-affirming care.

    Why Choose Our Transgender and Gender Diverse Health Certificate?

    The Faculty. They are practitioners working at the cutting edge of transgender and gender diverse health. They regularly publish and present their research on the latest data and best practices in the field and are core contributors to developing world standards for transgender care.

    The Curriculum. We developed our certificate in partnership with the Institute for Sexual and Gender Health in the University of Minnesota Medical School, which includes the National Center for Gender Spectrum Health.

    The Staff and Students. We value an inclusive student environment.

    What You'll Learn

    • Up-to-date, evidence-based practices in gender-affirming health care
    • How to approach transgender and gender diverse health through an intersectional lens
    • Real-life health considerations for transgender and gender diverse populations

    What Is a Stackable Credential?

    This certificate, stacked with the Human Sexuality Certificate, can apply 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

     

    Sex Therapy OR Transgender Health Certificate

    Six Elective Credits equals

     

    Six Elective Credits

    Graduation Cap and Scroll

     

    Master of Professional Studies in Sexual Health

    Transgender Health Courses

    The Transgender and Gender Diverse Health certificate is made up of four fully online courses (12 credits total).

    Course Catalog | Course descriptions and prerequisites
    Class Schedule | Courses details by semester

    Faculty

    Transgender and Gender Diverse Health faculty are experienced professionals working in the fields of sexuality and gender spectrum health care, therapy, education, and policy.

    Meet the Faculty

    Apply

    Fall Application Deadline: March 15
    Spring Application Deadline: October 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).

    Contact enrollment advisor Steve Wicks if you would like to apply and:

    • you have completed the U of M’s Human Sexuality Certificate.
    • you have been admitted to the U of M’s Human Sexuality Certificate.
    • you have questions about admission requirements.
    • you would like advice on how to gather your application materials.

    You will receive an admission decision four to six weeks after the application deadline. 

    Read video transcript here.

    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.

    If you're ready to take the next step, visit the Sexual Health Programs Application Instructions page for details on how to submit each piece of your application.

    Admissions Advising

    Graduate enrollment advisor Steve Wicks is happy to answer your questions about the Transgender and Gender Diverse Health 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.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Those with a passion for serving in nursing, social work, family science, psychology, counseling, medicine, physical therapy, nursing, dentistry, or pharmacy can enhance their careers with a Certificate in Transgender Health. This certificate can better equip professionals in these fields to support transgender and gender diverse populations through the lenses of their specialties.

    A transgender person is someone whose gender identity or gender expression does not correspond with their sex assigned at birth.

    Director of Graduate Studies Dr. Kristen Mark defines gender diversity as an umbrella term that is used to describe gender identities that demonstrate a diversity of expression beyond the binary framework.

    A health certificate can build on skills and knowledge gained across the health care and human services fields. Using a multidisciplinary approach, a health certificate can enhance a provider’s ability to deliver health care or other services through an introduction to new or more specialized areas of focus.

    With a growing number of transgender and gender diverse people, there is a proportionate need for health care professionals that can serve these populations with knowledge and awareness. A certificate in transgender and gender diverse health can prepare graduates to provide gender-affirming care in areas from mental health to social work to a number of specialties across the health care field.

    At the University of Minnesota students in the 12-credit transgender health certificate program can explore areas such as gender diversity, intersectionality, and sexual health. Students will develop and refine their approaches to transgender health across diverse populations, like children and adolescents, within this broader demographic. All courses in the Transgender and Gender Diverse Health Certificate are offered completely online.

    Our Stories

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