Resources for Students

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Overview Organizations Certificates Research Student Tips

This section is designed to support students (and professionals seeking additional training in sexual health) who want to deepen their academic, clinical, and research engagement with human sexuality by providing curated access to leading professional organizations, research institutes, and formal training programs in the field.

Collectively, these resources introduce students to the core disciplinary homes of sexuality studies, expose them to current research, policy, and evidence-based practice, and offer clear pathways for advanced training, certification, and professional identity development.

By engaging with these organizations and programs, students can:

Build a strong foundation in sexual health science and ethics
Explore specialization areas such as sex therapy, reproductive health, women's sexual health, and adolescent sexuality
Connect scholarship to real-world clinical, educational, and advocacy applications

This section is especially valuable for students considering graduate study, certification (e.g., AASECT), clinical licensure, research careers, or policy and public health work related to sexual and reproductive health.

Human Sexuality Organizations

American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)

AASECT members include physicians, nurses, social workers, and other allied health professionals. Their common interest is in promoting understanding of human sexuality and healthy sexual behavior.

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American Sexual Health Association (ASHA)

ASHA programs include: the ASHA Research Fund, HPV Cervical Cancer Prevention Resource Center, Cervical Cancer Prevention Project, !SALSA! (STDs, Adolescents and Latinos: Sexual Health Awareness), Herpes Resource Center, ASH-Net (Adolescent Sexual Health and the Internet), Herpes Foundation, and Viral Hepatitis Education and Training.

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American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)

ASRM is an organization devoted to advancing knowledge and expertise in infertility, reproductive medicine and biology.

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Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP)

ARHP is a multidisciplinary association of professionals who provide reproductive health services or education, conduct reproductive health research, or influence reproductive health policy. ARHP fosters research and advocacy to improve reproductive health.

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Foundation for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (FSSS)

FSSS' mission is to promote funding for conducting scholarly, scientific research related activities to further the understanding of all aspects of sexuality.

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The Alan Guttmacher Institute

The Alan Guttmacher Institute is focused on sexual and reproductive health research, policy analysis and public education. The Institute's mission is to protect the reproductive choices of all women and men in the United States and throughout the world.

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The International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH)

An academic and scientific organization that provides opportunities for communication among scholars, researchers and practitioners about women's sexual function and experiences, and supports high standards of ethics and professionalism in research, education and clinical practice of women's sexuality.

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Kinsey Institute

The Institute's mission is to promote interdisciplinary research and scholarship in the fields of human sexuality, gender, and reproduction.

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Sexuality Information and Education Council of the US (SIECUS)

SIECUS develops, collects, and disseminates information, and promotes comprehensive education about sexuality. The site includes sections for policy makers and advocates, for religious institutions, and for parents and older adults.

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The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health

Provides information about sex addiction for lay persons as well as clinicians.

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The Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR)

Composed of a range of professionals who have clinical or research interests in human sexuality. SSTAR aims to facilitate communications among clinicians who treat problems of sexual identity, sexual function, and reproductive life.

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Sexual Health Training Certificate Programs

Online Sexual Health Certificate Program at University of Michigan

The program offers multiple tracks aligned with AASECT educational standards and emphasizes evidence-based, inclusive, and ethically grounded sexual health practice.

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Certified Sexuality Educator, Counselor, and Therapy Programs at Modern Sex Therapy Institute

A series of fully online certification programs offering structured coursework and continuing education credits for professionals pursuing specialization in sexuality education, counseling, or therapy.

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Sexual Health Certificate Program at Sexuality Training Institute

A professional training program focused on foundational and applied knowledge in sexual health and sex therapy, often associated with the Ohio Center for Relationship and Sexual Health. The program provides an accessible entry point for clinicians and educators seeking structured sexuality training that may contribute toward AASECT certification requirements.

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Marriage and Family Therapist Training Certificate at Denver Family Institute

A COAMFTE-accredited, post-graduate Marriage and Family Therapy training program designed to meet educational equivalency for MFT licensure in Colorado. The program emphasizes systemic, relational, and social justice–oriented clinical practice with extensive supervised clinical experience.

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Sexuality Certificate Programs at Buehler Institute

AASECT-approved sexuality education and continuing education programs offering comprehensive coursework in sexology and advanced clinical topics.

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Sexual Health Research Organizations

The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS)

A national organization that supports clinicians and educators by advancing evidence-based sexuality education, sexual health policy, and human sexual rights across clinical, educational, and community settings.

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Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF)

A trusted source for clinicians seeking nonpartisan research, data, and policy analysis on U.S. health systems, public health trends, and access to care.

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Guttmacher Institute

A leading research institute providing clinicians with rigorous data and policy analysis related to sexual and reproductive health, family planning, and bodily autonomy.

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CDC School Health Profiles

A national surveillance resource offering population-level data on school health policies and practices relevant to adolescent health, prevention, and education initiatives.

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Tips for Students

Attend Conferences

Attend conferences (AASECT, ISSWSH, SSTAR) — these offer networking, mentorship, and often student discounts/scholarships.

Join Professional Listservs

Many opportunities for jobs, internships, and funding are shared via email communities.

Publish or Present Research

Start with class projects or independent studies in sexual health journals or conference posters. Consider asking ACSSW leadership for opportunities to join in on research or presentations.

Seek Mentorship

Many organizations have formal mentorship programs for students and early-career professionals. ACSSW has the Dr. Mark Pope Emerging Leaders program for masters and doctoral students.