Online Certificate in Sexual Health

Online Certificate in Sexual Health For health educators, service providers and professionals

uab.ca/pd

PROGRAM OVERVIEW Students completing the Certificate in Sexual Health will:

THE SEXUAL HEALTH CERTIFICATE IS FOR: •

Allied health professionals

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Nursing professionals

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Aspiring professionals in the field of counselling related to sexual

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understand information on various topics in the area of human sexuality and apply these to a healthy sexual lifestyle,

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demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes in the application of various sexual health interventions and educational models,

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describe human sexual anatomy and p ­ hysiology; selected sexual dysfunctions and sexually ­transmitted infections and psychosocial factors of sexuality,

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describe sexuality in the context of human ­development and unite sex-positive approaches, and

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learn harm reduction principles in the provision of sex education and sexual health services.

health and well-being •

K-12 educators and community-based service providers

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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.

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)

SEX POSITIVITY: IN THEORY & PRACTICE (3 credits)

SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATION (3 credits)

SEXUALITY: ILLNESS AND DISABILITY (3 credits)

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, 544 & 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.

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People with disabilities have higher rates of common sexual ­dysfunctions, which may be due directly to their medical condition or associated psychological impact.

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Patients with disabilities often have sexual health needs that are ­inadequately addressed or unaddressed by health-care professionals.

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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.

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Sexual health education should be presented by confident, w ­ ell-trained, knowledgeable and nonjudgmental individuals.

(Public Health Agency of Canada, 2008)

The Online C ­ ertificate in S ­ exual Health aims to ­develop the k ­ nowledge, skills and attitudes n ­ eeded to facilitate ­learners to ­become ­best-practice ­service ­providers in ­sexual health e ­ ducation and ­clinical ­practice. ­Participants will gain a d ­ eeper u ­ nderstanding of current ­sexual health issues and perspectives and the ­diversity of human sexuality and its ­e­xpression. ­Students will apply this to their d ­ iscipline and develop skills to increase the e ­ ffectiveness of their clinical or ­educational practice. Upon program completion, students will earn the use of the GCertSH (graduate Certificate in Sexual Health) designation.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS This certificate requires the completion of four graduate-level ­courses totaling 12 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 (FGSR).

Statement of Collaboration 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 a 足 cademics and professionals who practice in the 足community, students will be given tools, strategies and skills to work with 足clients using a sex-positive 足approach.

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For further information about courses and course registration, please contact:

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Shawn Drefs, Director of Professional Development 780-492-1587 | frmcpe@ualberta.ca | uab.ca/pd

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