Certificate Learning Program
in Sexology and Human Relations
History of this Program
Starting in Fall 2000, the Midwest Institute of Sexology offered a program of study leading to a certificate in sexology and human relations. Completion of that program involved an intensive study program with seminars being conducted in Southeastern Michigan, home-based tutorials, and a rigorous examination assessing knowledge in all areas of human sexuality.
About a dozen candidates achieved this Certificate in the following eighteen months; some of them continued on to professional careers using this knowledge; others applied for further graduate training in sexology; and some simply used this program for the satisfaction of the knowledge about human sexual functioning and human relationships that they had gained.
However, although it was originally intended to expand this program into a comprehensive web-based learning experience open to students of all ages and academic backgrounds, severe funding cutbacks resulted in the suspension of the program in Fall 2002.
As of Spring 2003, the Midwest Institute launched a modified, and more cost-efficient version of this program. We are now pleased to offer a home study course with an open-book examination. Applicants who successfully fulfill this program will be offered a certificate of completion.
What leaders in the field of sexology are saying about this program:
"I am impressed by the level of knowledge about human sexuality that is required to complete this program. The curriculum and examination material are both comprehensive and challenging. I would be pleased to consider individuals who completed this program for further study at The Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality."
- Howard J. Ruppel, Jr., EdD., PhD
Dean, Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, San Francisco
"I am very excited about your study program in Sexology and Human Relations. Passing this testifies to an individual's readiness to pursue doctoral training in Clinical and Educational Sexology or to contribute to this field in a paraprofessional capacity. We would be very happy to consider anyone completing this program for admission into our masters or doctoral program in human sexuality at Widener University."
- William R. Stayton, ThD
Professor of Education and
Director of Graduate Training in Human Sexuality, Widener University, PA
Program Structure and Content
This program is open to any student or professional who wishes to increase their knowledge of human sexuality by pursuing a self-directed home-based study program. This program is open to anyone interested in increasing their knowledge of human sexuality, and is especially recommended for anyone involved in the healthcare or helping professions, as well as for any individual interested in securing the foundation for a future career in sexology.
The program operates as follows:
- Prospective students apply as described below, paying a one-time fee of $345 either by submitting their Visa card numbers, or by mailing a check payable to: The Midwest Institute of Sexology, 29994 Northwestern Highway, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334-3225, USA.
- You will be sent a package containing:
- Set of cassette tapes of approximately 7 hours of talks on male and female sexualities.
- Set of cassette tapes of approximately 4 hours of talks on sexual diversity, including issues of orientation, engenderment, and paraphilias.
- A basic bibliography on human sexuality, including recommended readings, and four required texts. Students should anticipate an additional expense of up to $150 to acquire these books.
- An examination on human sexuality. This is an open-book examination which students complete as they gain knowledge of the field.
- You then proceed to study these materials at your own pace. During the course of your studying, you will be supported in two ways:
- You may, if you wish, schedule two free telephone tutorials with Barnaby. Tutorials last up to 45 minutes, and you pay only for the cost of the telephone call.
- You may email Barnaby at any time with your questions about the reading material. This service is free-of-charge for the first five emails.
- As you progress through the study materials, you begin to fill out the Open-Book Examination. This consists of 100 multiple-choice items covering almost every aspect of the field. Upon completion of the examination, you mail the examination booklet back. Assuming that at least 95% of the questions are correctly answered, you will then be sent a Certificate of Completion of Studies in Sexology and Human Relations.
Please Note: Completion of this program attests to your having achieved an exceptional level of knowledge about human sexuality. However, this is not a professional qualification in the sense that it does not offer you the practical skills that are required for work as a clinical or educational sexologist, a sexuality educator, counselor or sex therapist. If you wish to train as a professional in these fields, this program will prepare you with the knowledge base prerequisite for the acquisition of clinical and educational skills. If you are already working as a professional or paraprofessional in a related field, you will find that the knowledge base provided by this program will greatly enhance the quality and power of your work.
Admission Procedures
To apply to begin this program, please fill out the following:
- Full Name as you wish it to appear on your certificate of completion.
- Address to which you wish study materials to be sent. Please also include your email address, and telephone number.
- Make the one-time payment of $345 (U.S.), by Visa or check.
- In less than 50 words, please tell us where you are in your life's path, what education/degrees you have achieved, what sort of work you do, etc.
- In less than 50 words, please tell us why you want to take this study program.
- Please tell us anything else about yourself that you would like us to know.
If you have questions about this program, please email Barnaby.