Psychology of Sexuality and Gender
The field of sexuality and gender is broad and interdisciplinary. Potential careers in this field include research, policy/advocacy, and practice.
Research positions can be found in colleges/universities (including the Kinsey Institute and many other university research centers focused on gender and/or sexuality), but also in think tanks and other research organizations, many of which also focus on policy (e.g., the Guttmacher Institute, SIECUS, Institute for Women’s Policy Research, Gender Equity Policy Institute, UN Women, NOW). Positions in these research and policy centers vary in their degree requirements – some would be accessible with a bachelor’s degree, while others would require a graduate degree.
Practice in this field could include careers in mental health (e.g., becoming a sex therapist, couples counselor, or feminist therapist), health care more broadly, other kinds of social service jobs with a focus on specific issues or populations related to gender/sexuality, as well as jobs in education (e.g., sex educator). Some of these would require a graduate degree, but some are accessible with a bachelor’s degree.
Relevant internships and volunteer positions would include research assistant positions, as well as positions in advocacy or social service organizations.
Professional Organizations:
- The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality
- American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT)
- Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (Division 44 of the American Psychological Association)
- Society for the Psychology of Women (Division 35 of the American Psychological Association)
Relevant Courses in Psychology:
- PSYC 3230 Psychology of Human Sexuality
- PSYC 3420 The Psychology of Gender
- PSYC 4400 Hot Topics in Human Sexuality
- PSYC 4410 Psychology of Close Relationships
Cognate courses can be found in Women’s and Gender Studies, as well as courses related to gender and sexuality in Anthropology, Biology, History, and Sociology. Depending on your particular interests, this field can be quite broadly interdisciplinary.
Want to find out more? Chat with Prof. Deborah C. Stearns.
