Statement of Collaboration
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Sexual Health aims to develop the knowledge, skills,
The development of this certificate was a collaborative effort between the University of Alberta and the Alberta Society for the Promotion of Sexual Health (ASPSH) whose mandate is to promote optimal sexual and reproductive health and well-being throughout the lifespan. By bringing together both academics and professionals who practice in the community, students will be given tools, strategies and skills to work with clients using a sex-positive approach.
and attitudes needed to facilitate learners to become best-practice service providers in sexual health education and clinical practice. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of current sexual health issues and perspectives, and the diversity of human sexuality and its expression. Students will apply this to their discipline and develop skills to increase the effectiveness of their
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
clinical or educational practice.
This certificate requires completion of three graduate-level courses totaling 9 credits. These are offered in a full distance-based format. The courses must be taken in order, with the earlier courses being a pre-requisite of enrollment in subsequent courses. Successful completion of the courses will be noted on a University of Alberta transcript and a certificate will be granted by the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
Upon program completion, students will earn the use of the PgCSH (Post-graduate Certificate in Sexual Health) designation.
Online Certificate in Sexual Health
For Health Educators, Service Providers and Professionals
FACULTY OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
For further information about courses and course registration, please contact: Shawn Drefs, Director of Professional Development 780-492-1587 | frmcpe@ualberta.ca
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The Sexual Health Certificate is for: • allied health professionals • nursing professionals • aspiring professionals in the field of counselling related to sexual health and well-being • K-12 educators and community-based service providers • graduate students from rehabilitation medicine, nursing, education, psychology and human ecology Students must meet the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) requirements for entry into Certificate Programs. Students will be enrolled as graduate students through the FGSR.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW Students completing the Certificate in Sexual Health will: • understand information on various topics in the area of human sexuality and apply these to a healthy sexual lifestyle; • demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes in the application of various sexual health interventions and educational models; • describe human sexual anatomy and physiology; selected sexual dysfunctions and sexually transmitted infections; and psychosocial factors of sexuality; • describe sexuality in the context of human development; and • unite sex-positive approaches and harm reduction principles in the provision of sex education and sexual health services. Each participant can choose to focus on one of two streams: the Clinical Stream, which focuses on the understanding of physical and mental changes associated with an illness, injury or disability as it affects sexual health, or the Educational Stream, which focuses on the understanding of sexual health education philosophy, instructional techniques and an appreciation of the common challenges associated with comprehensive sexual health education.
For more details on how to apply, visit uab.ca/pd
REHAB 543
REHAB 546
REHAB 544
REHAB 545
SEXUAL HEALTH: ISSUES & PERSPECTIVES (3 credits, required)
SEX POSITIVITY: IN THEORY & PRACTICE (3 credits, required)
SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATION (3 credits, elective)
SEXUALITY: ILLNESS AND DISABILITY (3 credits, elective)
This course will provide 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 factors, 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 that service providers can use when dealing with sexual health issues.
This course will give students a better understanding of the importance of using a sex-positive approach, fostering an attitude of openness and acceptance to various forms of sexual expression. The factors that shape an individual's sexual morals, values, and beliefs will be covered. The impact of religion, culture, media, and the law on sexuality will be emphasized. Overall, students will become more aware of their sexual attitudes and offer strategies to become more effective sexual health practitioners and educators.
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 with respect to various 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.
This course will provide students with an understanding of the physical and mental impact of disability and illness on sexual function, response and behaviours. An overview of sexuality will be presented in terms of basic anatomy, physiology, and sexual health issues as it relates to disability. Signs, symptoms and intervention strategies for common sexual dysfunctions will 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 543
PRE-REQUISITE: REHAB 543 & 546
PRE-REQUISITE: REHAB 543 & 546
Sexual Health: Concerns Facing Today’s Society • Increased rates of sexually transmitted infections, sexual violence, and unplanned pregnancies are experienced by people with disabilities, compared to people without disabilities. • People with disabilities have higher rates of common sexual dysfunctions, which may be due directly to their medical condition or associated psychological impact. • Patients with disabilities often have sexual health needs that are inadequately addressed or unaddressed by health-care professionals. • Health-care professionals should feel confident and be equipped to provide unbiased and comprehensive sexual health information and resources. (Rowan, Stein, & Tepper, 2015)
Guiding Principles of Comprehensive Sexual Health Education • Effective sexual health education is age-appropriate and responsive to an individual’s race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, physical/cognitive abilities and religious background, and reflects different social situations and learning environments. • Sexual health education should be presented by confident, well-trained, knowledgeable and nonjudgmental individuals. (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2008)