Graduate Certificate in Sexual Health

This program will be of interest to:

• Allied health professionals.
• Nursing professionals.
• Aspiring professionals in the field of counselling related to sexual health and well-being.
• K-12 educators.
• Other health practitioners looking to broaden and expand their areas of expertise in the field.
• Graduate students from rehabilitation medicine, nursing, education, psychology, human ecology.

The program provides participants with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to succeed in the emerging field of sexual health. Drawing on theory and the best practices through case studies, simulations, and group projects, participants will critically apply the conceptual, theoretical, and practical frameworks necessary to address the common challenges associated with comprehensive sexual health education. The impact of personal bias will be explored concerning different cultures, lifestyles, and values.

Upon program completion, registrants will be issued a parchment through the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research and the use of the letters GCertSH (graduate certificate in sexual health) to designate program completion. Certificate courses may be used as elective credit with the approval of the home institution.

This certificate is made up of four 3-credit graduate level courses offered in a fully distanced based format. To obtain the certificate registrants must complete the following four required courses.

REHAB 543: Sexual Health: Issues and Perspectives

OE3 (either term or Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer, 3-0-0). This course will provide the students with an understanding of sexuality from a personal, familial, societal, cultural and ethical perspective. The course will provide an overview of basic anatomy, physiology, psychosocial, lifespan and sexual health issues. The impact of disability and illness on sexual identity and functioning as well as specific sexual dysfunctions will also be covered. This course will present strategies and skills service providers can use when dealing with sexual health issues.

REHAB 546: Sex Positivity: In Theory and Practice

This course will give students a better understanding of the importance of using a sex-positive approach with clients. The course will explore what shapes an individual's sexual morals, values, and beliefs. The impact of religion, culture, media, and the law on sexuality will be emphasized. This course will help students become more aware of their sexual attitudes and offer strategies to become more effective sexual health practitioners.

Pre-requisite: REHAB 543

REHAB 544: Sexual Health Education

OE3 (either term or Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer, 3-0-0). This introductory course will provide students with an understanding of sexual health education philosophy, instructional techniques and an appreciation of the common challenges associated with comprehensive sexual health education. The impact of personal bias will be explored concerning differing cultures, lifestyles and values. The course will focus on practical implementation of tools and skills for the service professional based on current evidence in the literature.

Pre-requisite: REHAB 546

REHAB 545: Sexuality: Illness and Disability

OE3 (either term or Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer, 3-0-0). This course will provide the students with an understanding physical and mental changes associated with an illness, injury or disability as it affects sexual health adjustment. The course will provide an overview of sexuality in terms of basic anatomy, physiology, and sexual health issues as it relates to disability. The impact of disability and illness on sexual identity and functioning as well as specific sexual dysfunctions will also be covered. This course will also provide practical guidelines for dealing with specific sexual health concerns expressed by clients and their partners.

Pre-requisite: REHAB 544

Apply Now

The online application will ask for references, supervisors, CV etc. HOWEVER, certificate program applicants DO NOT NEED TO provide this information as admission requirements for certificate programs are relaxed. Please follow the instructions outlined in the document below which provides step-by-step instructions on how to complete the application.

All North American Institutional transcripts must have a print date of no more than 12 months from the application date

Supporting Documents

Official transcripts must be mailed directly to the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine:

Shawn Drefs
Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
University of Alberta
3-48 Corbett Hall
Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4

Eligible students include all health professionals who meet the following University of Alberta Faculty of Graduate Studies & Research (FGSR) requirements:

1. Submission of all original post-secondary degree transcripts with print date no more than 12 months from application date.
   1. You can upload a COPY of your recently obtained original degree transcripts to the online application - this will suffice for the initial approval process.
   2. Once approved you will still be required to mail a copy of your original degree transcripts to the faculty.
   3. We can access U of A transcripts if you were a former student here.
2. GPA of 3.0 (if you do not meet this requirement please contact the continuing professional education lead).
3. For students whose first language is not English, a TOEFL equivalent to entry-level U of A Rehab programs (minimum of 580).

Mail Transcripts to the institution directly to:

Shawn Drefs
University of Alberta
3-48 Corbett Hall
Edmonton, AB
T6G 2G4

For more details on this course, please contact Shawn Drefs, at:

Email: frmcpe@ualberta.ca
Phone: 780-492-1587

Alberta Student Aid: Grant - repayment is NOT required

Contact AB Student Aid

Alberta Part-Time Grant: The Alberta Part-Time Grant is available to Alberta residents taking post-secondary education on a part-time basis.

Value: up to $900 per semester

The maximum grant funding available for one calendar year is $1,800.00.

Learn More

Certificate program courses are offered regularly and students are required to complete all courses within approximately 24 months.

Certificate students must not allow more than 12 months to pass without a course registration to meet the U of A's Maintenance of Registration Policy or may be subject to re-applying to the program and an approximate $1500 re-admission fee.

Certificates must be completed within 4 years of initial registration

Time is devoted one week before the start of the first course in the series for students to familiarize themselves with the eClass system (online learning platform) and to complete any online pre-course materials.

Contact frmcpe@ualberta.ca to obtain program information or information on upcoming course offerings.