Master of Arts in Human Sexuality Studies

Graduate Advisor: J. Fields

Career Options for M.A. Graduates

The career outlook for graduates with specialized knowledge of human sexuality has never been better in our society, due to the changing positive attitudes regarding the role of sexuality in the universities and colleges, high schools, local and national government, research and training, clinical and mental health training, and private sector positions that call for expertise of human reproduction, sexuality, sexual identity and diversity, sexual orientation, gender, and human resources.

The Master of Arts in Human Sexuality Studies program is designed to meet the following career needs:

• Preparation for Ph.D. studies and professional schools in the field of psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, medicine, social work, or communication.
• Preparation for graduate studies professional schools such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, medicine, social work, or communication.
• Work in public health settings, such as those related to AIDS education, AIDS/HIV treatment and care centers; e.g., the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies at the University of California at San Francisco, and welfare centers throughout the Bay Area.
• Preparation for graduate studies and professional schools, in psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, medicine, social work, or communication.
• Reproductive health education, research, training, and prevention facilities and organizations; i.e., Planned Parenthood.
• Sexuality education for students at the regional community colleges and at the local school boards that offer or plan to offer courses and curricula on sexuality, including counseling in the secondary schools.
• Preparation for work in policy or research public policy institutes located at Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley.
• Service provision and training for service providers in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and others that require sensitivity training related to sexuality across the life course and sexual orientation issues.
• Human resource departments of businesses and corporations, responsible for the provision of sexuality and sexual orientation anti-discrimination and partner benefits areas for employees.
• Research, policy, and education providers who are needed to fill gay and lesbian agencies and community centers in the Bay Area and elsewhere.

Admission to Program

A prospective student must fulfill the general University requirements as stated in the section on Graduate and Post-baccalaureate Admissions of this Bulletin. To be considered for classified (unconditional) admission to the graduate program in human sexuality studies, an applicant must have completed an undergraduate major in an appropriate field under advisement with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. It is expected that applicants will primarily come from behavioral and social sciences (psychology, anthropology, sociology, history), health education, social services professions (social work), business (human resources, management, marketing), humanities (speech and communications, women studies). Students whose undergraduate major did not include human sexuality studies courses should consult the graduate advisor about making up course deficiencies in human sexuality studies.

Applicants must furnish the department the following materials, no later than 1 March for the following fall semester (no spring admissions): a program application with a statement of purpose outlining experience, career objectives, and rationale for studying human sexuality studies at the graduate level; two letters of recommendation; unofficial transcripts of all college course work, indicating a GPA of 3.0 or higher; Graduate Record Exam (GRE) with a minimum score of 4.0 for the analytical writing portion of the GRE; TOEFL scores; and an SF State application. Applying to the University is a separate process from applying to the department. For detailed information regarding our admissions process please see our website at sxs.sfsu.edu

The faculty graduate committee evaluates applications for admission, assesses the overall program, and reviews student progress. If a student is not making reasonable progress towards the degree, the committee may recommend termination of candidacy.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One

GRE writing score of 4.0 and above or satisfactorily meeting the writing requirements in SXS 800.

Level Two

Satisfactory completion of the culminating experience requirements:

Advancement to Candidacy

Besides meeting all general requirements for Advancement to Candidacy (ACT), applicants must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all human sexuality courses taken for the degree, and may not list on the ATC form any course in which the grade received is below B-.

Human Sexuality Studies (M.A.) — Minimum 30 units

Core Requirements (12 units)

Research Methodology (6 - 7 units)

Electives (9 units)

Units selected from upper division/graduate courses upon advisement

Culminating Experience (3 units)