The Formal Route to Becoming a Sexuality Educator:
Then there is a more formal and academic route. The advantages of this route include: knowing what your basic interest is early on in your academic years and expanding into an area of more focus; not having to “catch up”, you’ll be aware of the newest information that has come out; and you will also have at your fingertips individuals who can assist you in the journey to becoming a sexual health educator. This can be a major benefit — who you know can do wonders for your career path! Not to say that there aren’t disadvantages to going the formal route-for example, trying to find a college/university that has a major in human sexuality is pretty difficult. If you do graduate with a degree in human sexuality, you can be limiting yourself in terms of the job market. There are not a plentitude of Human Sexuality Educator jobs available once you graduate so you may have to do something else until your dream job opens up. A prospective employer could look at your resume and see that you majored in Human Sexuality and not take your discipline as a serious matter. So you could choose to major in another field of study, but focus your attention on “sexuality”. Here are some tips to help you if you choose to go the formal route:
If you’re in college or looking at colleges look for bachelor degree programs: psychology, biology, education, anthropology, sociology, women’s studies, public health, or other similar majors. Then look to see what courses are offered in each of these majors. In some colleges you can receive a major in any of the above, but focus your study in Human Sexuality. For example, in the following fields look for these classes:
Psychology
Physiological Psychology
Psychobiology
Psychology of Gender
Psychology of Homosexuality
Psychology of Sexuality
Sex Therapy
Sexology
Education
Curriculum Development
Health Education
Human Sexuality Education
Learning Styles
Anthropology
Anthropology of Sexuality
Gender Studies
Sociology
Sociology of Gender
Sociology of Sexuality
Biology
Biology of Gender
Biology of Reproduction
Neurobiology of Reproduction
Reproductive Endocrinology
Human Development and Family Studies
Early Childhood Development
Human Development
Human Sexuality 101
Marriage and Family
Parenting
Other
AIDS/HIV
Community Health
Ethics
History of Birth Control
Program Evaluation
Public Health
Public Policy
Public Speaking
Writing
Internships!
For those of you who are determined to receive a degree specifically in Human Sexuality, the options are not as wide as the ones listed above. Colleges and universities that offer a major in Human Sexuality usually list it in the Education Department, the School of Medicine, Psychology Department or Sociology Department. Some say it is more difficult to receive a degree in Human Sexuality and be taken seriously by the scientific professional community unless you have a higher degree from another field. But it can be done if you are determined enough! Please be warned that in some cases you will need to be accepted into these departments before you can be accepted into the Human Sexuality program. Remember to keep pursuing your dream, but do it by setting reasonable goals that you can accomplish.
Also, when you are researching potential schools, check out the research the professors are involved in at the school. Call, write, or e-mail these professors and talk to them about their particular field of research. Does their interest mesh with yours? If so, that is potentially a good match. If not, look around until you find one that interests you.
