Skip to content
Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

313946 v.2 Master of Sexology

MSexol(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 074567D
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 2 Years


Course Overview

Master degrees (coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.


This course provides individuals with specialist knowledge and skills in the area of sexology. Graduates should have a comprehensive knowledge of recent research examining the biological, psychological and social aspects of human sexuality. It is anticipated that on completion of the program, graduates will be able to integrate this specialisation into their professional discipline, and be conversant with the key aspects of sexology as a public health issue. Complementary study in research methods is included.


Professional Recognition

Graduates may be eligible for membership of the Society of Australian Sexologists Ltd. which is affiliated to the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS). Graduates may apply for professional membership to obtain a specialist title e.g. Psychosexual Therapist and/or Sexuality Educator, through Society of Australian Sexologists Ltd. if they meet the criteria and after completion of supervision requirements. Requirements for such titles in other countries differ.


Career Opportunities

Sexology graduates have opportunities to established careers in the fields of psychosexual therapy, sexuality education and consultancy, child and elder protection, sexual health policy development, human rights, disability, cyber-safety training, sexual health promotion, youth work, academia, medical management, risk management, forensic assessment, sexual research and many others. Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Society of Sexuality Educators Researchers and Therapists (ASSERT), which is a member of the World Associastion for Sexual Health. The requirements for these titles in other countries differ.


Additional Course Expenses

Students are expected to purchase uniforms, a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. All costs of immunisations, screening and clearances required are the responsibility of the student. Cost of placements are the responsibility of the student.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a bachelor degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma.


Specifically, applicants require a recognised bachelor degree in a related health profession, such as medical, social work or welfare studies, theology, education, health promotion, health sciences, psychology, sociology, anthropology, biological sciences or related disciplines. Applicant interviews will be conducted where required.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Intermediate Awards

A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate awards approved for this course:


Graduate Diploma in Sexology; Graduate Certificate in Sexology


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.


Course Entry/Completion Note

Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance section of the faculty website.



Course Organisation

Master degrees (coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.


This course provides individuals with specialist knowledge and skills in the area of sexology. This course uses a range of tuition patterns, including online and face-to-face teaching. Graduates are required to attend designated Block Teaching weeks held on the Curtin University campus, Bentley during semester. Media material of a sexually graphic nature is utilised in this course.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply sexological and relevant public health knowledge to protect, maintain and restore the health of communities

2. synthesise and evaluate available evidence to inform decision making in the pursuit of innovative solutions in sexological public health settings

3. locate, extract, interpret and assess relevant information from a range of sources and use it to support academic debate about and practical solutions to sexological issues

4. communicate effectively with community members to promote understanding of sexological issues and disseminate sexological research to academic and professional audiences

5. embrace appropriate technologies to enhance the production and dissemination of sexological knowledge and practice

6. demonstrate an advanced level of independent and self-directed learning to enhance individual and collective professional development in the field of sexology

7. incorporate international best practice into sexological public health practice

8. demonstrate respect for human sexual rights and cultural diversity in relation to sexual attitudes, values and practices

9. work independently as a researcher and practitioner and function effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary or community team; collect and manage information ethically and apply ethical reasoning to sexological issues and practice


Duration and Availability

The course is two years full-time study or four years' part-time equivalent. Some units within the course will be taught as a block intensive where students are required to attend a full week workshop. Online material will be used to support the week intensive and assessments will be due on dates throughout the semester as advised in the Unit Outline. Australian citizens and permanent residents may have the choice of full-time or part-time study. International students studying in Australia on a student visa are required to undertake a full-time internal study load. There are two intakes each year, February and July.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1 Y        
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2 Y        

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
13230 v.3   Foundations of Public Health 681 3.0 25.0
311908 v.2   Sexology Attitudes and Values 680 4.0 25.0
314873 v.1   Sexual and Reproductive Health in Sexology 681 40.0 25.0
314874 v.1   Foundations of Sexology 681 4.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
13152 v.3   Health Research Methods 681 4.0 25.0
311909 v.2   Sexological Practice 682 4.0 25.0
311911 v.2   Introduction to Forensic Sexology 682 4.0 25.0
314875 v.1   Culture and Contemporary Sexology 682 40.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
13151 v.4   Research Dissertation 600 16.0 50.0
314743 v.1   Sexological Education 681 4.0 25.0
313447 v.1   Professional Practice of Public Health 683 4.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
13359 v.3   Research Dissertation 601 16.0 50.0
306308 v.2   Health Research Methods 781 4.0 25.0
311910 v.1   Sexology Challenges and Opportunities 682 4.0 25.0
  100.0



Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.