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Curtin University of Technology
School of Public Health

Sexology

Award Winning Sexology Program: Our Program has been awarded the prestigious World Association for Sexual Health ‘Award for Excellence & Innovation in Sexuality Education’ for 2007. This is only awarded every two years and is highly competitive with all programs across the world eligible to apply. This is the first time that this prestigious international award has been granted to a University.
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This award is an excellent commendation of the past work that Professor Coates has done in developing and running the program, (1979 : 2004), and the work that has been done in coordination, revising the content and teaching by the Sexology team since being more appropriately placed in the School of Public Health, (Jan 2005). It also reflects the scope of the program in educating students in general areas of sexuality education as well as tackling the more difficult areas such as forensic issues, sexual abuse prevention and management, treatment issues for sex offenders, disability and sexuality, illness and sexuality, cross-cultural aspects of sexuality education and counselling, and many others.

What is Sexology ?

Sexology refers to the scientific study of human sexuality. The scientific study of sex and sexuality can be traced back at least to the classical Greek period in the Western world, and even earlier in the Eastern world. Throughout history, emphasis in sexological study has tended to focus on the outcomes of sex, rather than the experience of sexuality. Specific focal areas for the study of sexology have primarily prioritised human reproduction and sexual health as topics for learning and research. The study of love, sexual emotions, human relationships, human sexual response, criminal sexual behaviour, sexual function, sexual pleasure and fulfilment have been relatively recent endeavours in the scientific study of sexuality.

Students in the Sexology Program at Curtin University study all the above topics, plus issues of legality, values, law reform, sex trafficking, sexual changes throughout life, diversity, gender, fetishes, desire, fixations, arousal, disease, erotica, cross cultural sexual practices, and many more topics.

What is Forensic Sexology?

Forensics is often discussed in relation to the legal system and crime; however, the Forensic Sexology Program uses a more generic description of forensics that describes it as 'the application of sexology in the collection of material for evidence in a decision making forum'. This means that Forensic Sexology includes the study of aspects of criminology - such as sex offences, sex offender assessment and treatment, profiling sex offenders, treatment for the survivors of sexual assault, sexuality and the law, sexual law reform, expert etc – but it also involves the collection of material that can be used to challenge certain behaviours, customs, and even governing laws. For example, is it possible for a person with severe intellectual disability to give consent for sexual activity? Is it possible to stop female genital mutilation by presenting other strategies that fulfil the objectives of such a controversial and harmful practice? How do governing laws impact on the consensual expression of sexuality?

About our Sexology Program

The Sexology Program at Curtin University of Technology was established in 1978, by Professor Rosemary Coates, and has continued to lead the way in Sexological education and research in Australia. Though now semi-retired Professor Coates is still involved in the Sexology Program and is involved with the World Health Organisation, the United Nations and is the Vice President of World Association for Sexual Health.

In early 2005, under the leadership of Dr Gareth Merriman, the Sexology Program moved to the School of Public Health, providing additional collaborative links with local, state, national and international programs in health promotion, therapy, epidemiology, education and evaluation, research, policy development, and human rights advocacy. In the longer term these links and new facilities will allow the development of a specialised sexuality therapy clinic and a sexual functioning research clinic based at the Bentley campus.

The School of Public Health provides world-class facilities for teaching and research, and an ideal environment for student learning.

Please spend some time viewing the Web based information about our programs. We welcome enquiries from prospective students around the world about any of our programs. We also welcome enquiries from academics and others interested in research collaborations or study visits.

We now offer several options for study within the field of sexology, including single units to study, an undergraduate stream of sexology units, and a number of postgraduate degrees. The Postgraduate Diploma course and Masters course offer highly flexible pathways for students with an interest in sexology to design a learning program to meet their individual interests and needs. For example, the Master of Sexology allows students to specialize in sexual therapy, education or research.

Our research activities are supported by a number of academic staff with international reputations for the quality of their research, teaching and industry linkage. We are very fortunate to have excellent research collaborations both locally and internationally.

General Information

Entry

To enter the Postgraduate programs you need to have a minimum of a Bachelors degree (or equivalent).

Except in exceptional circumstances, it is a requirement that applicants who do not have a postgraduate degree start at the Postgraduate Diploma level (a two semester program). If the student averages unit scores of >65 then it is possible to complete the Postgraduate Diploma and enrol in the Masters program (an additional one semester of research). This will allow the student who successfully completes the programs to graduate with both the Postgraduate Diploma and the Masters.

The program is tailored towards a professional degree providing successful students with knowledge and skills to work in a variety of fields in sexology. Students do not need a background in sexology, biology, psychology or other disciplines, as the course provides sufficient information on these required topics.

Applications can be made at any time for the all programs however the Postgraduate Diploma and Masters programs usually commence in first semester, which in Australia begins late February/early March.

Due to the provision of some prerequisite units being offered in Winter School intensives (July) it is possible for some students to begin the program in the winter school and continue the program in second semester.

Upon completion of a coursework postgraduate diploma or Masters degree there are a number of study options that students can undertake. Students pursuing studies by higher degree may apply for scholarships. Information about Australian and International student scholarships, and closing dates, can be found on the Curtin Scholarship website.

Students on the program enjoy strong links with the:

Our program also has strong links with agencies where practicum components are organised, including:

Courses offered

Please note that the Sexology and Forensic Sexology units are only available as face-to-face taught units and not on-line or externally. Some units of the programs can be competed externally: Health Research Methods, Bioethics and Criminology Culture and the Law.

We have continued teaching units face-to-face and believe, in this sensitive area, this is the best way to support student learning and to achieve a high level of Graduate competencies. Undergraduates from Curtin and other Universities can study a single unit or more or complete four units as a minor in some programs (eg Psychology, Education)

Undergraduate Units

  • Sexology 350 - Conducted in Semesters 1 and 2, (required to study other units)
  • Sexology 450 - Conducted in Semester 1, (prerequisite unit 350)
  • Research Project 386 - Conducted in Semesters 1 and 2, (Health Promotion Planning 381 or any previous version)

Postgraduate students from other programs and Universities can complete a single unit or more within the Postgraduate programs

Postgraduate Courses

Master & Doctoral Programs

Career Opportunities

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Society of Sexuality Educators Researchers and Therapists (ASSERT), which is affiliated to the World Association for Sexology. Graduates may obtain a specialist title as a Sexuality Therapist, Sexuality Educator, Sexuality Researcher, and /or Forensic Sexologist through ASSERT after completion of supervision requirements. Requirements for such titles in other countries differ.

As the field of sexology is diverse, recognition of these degree programs as entrance into specific professions is dependent on the professional regulations of that discipline. For examples, psychology, education, therapy, justice.

Graduates have established careers in the fields of sex therapy, sex education and consultancy, child and elder protection, sexual health policy development, human rights, disability, cyber-safety training, health promotion, youth work, academia, medical management, risk management, forensic assessment, group work, sexual research, cross-cultural work, international programs, population management, organisation management, and many others.

As the Sexology Program has excellent professional affiliations, and attracts local, interstate, and international students, many opportunities arise for greater links outside of Perth and Australia for work opportunities.

Information & Resources

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