Become Certified in Clinical Sexology
The International Diploma in Clinical Sexology offers a comprehensive, 100% online training program for healthcare professionals (psychologists, physicians, clinical social workers and counselors, nurses, etc.) designed to advance their expertise in clinical sexology within one year. The curriculum aligns with the IOSS educational framework, promoting transformative, autonomous, and in the work of flow learning (Kirana PS & Tripodi F, 2025).
The program is endorsed by the European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM).
Participants will:
Claim 30 ACCME and 40 AASECT credits.
The world’s most prominent faculty of sexology
Introduction to the program
- Participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of the psychological, behavioral, and relational aspects of sexual function, dysfunction, and overall sexual health, while recognizing the complex interplay with biomedical factors.
- Participants will develop competencies in diagnosing and treating sexual dysfunctions and other sexual problems through evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and patient-centered approaches of psychosexual therapy.
- Core curriculum. Five sections including ethics and sexual rights, sexual, gender, and relationship diversity, male sexual function and dysfunctions, female sexual function and dysfunctions, common factors associated with sexual function and dysfunctions, and treatment approaches relevant to sex therapy.
- Supplemental curriculum. Optional educational videos on a variety of topics, from which participants will choose a selection according to their specific interests.
- Clinical Supervision. Live clinical supervision sessions for case management guidance. Group sessions are offered on predetermined dates and times (Hop-on Hop-off supervision). Individual sessions are provided in coordination with the IOSS supervisors.
- Study Time. The total study time estimation includes approximately one-third more hours beyond the above training program requirements to accommodate independent study and exam preparation, aligning with standard educational workload practices.
The estimated time commitment to complete the full training program is 160 hours in one year.
We have thoughtfully designed this program to create the most impactful learning experience — one that can transform your clients’ sexual lives.
To earn the diploma, candidates must:
- Watch all videos (around 90 hours) across the core curriculum (asynchronous).
- Complete a minimum of 10 viewing hours of the supplemental curriculum for additional learning (asynchronous).
- Pass a final examination consisting of multiple-choice questions across five sections, based on the core curriculum. An 80% correct answer score is required to pass each section.
- Participate in four online group supervisions and four online individual supervision sessions (synchronous).
- The above need to be completed within 1 year starting from the date of enrollment.
Participants enrolling in the International Diploma in Clinical Sexology may be licensed healthcare professionals, including physicians, psychologists, clinical social workers, nurses, counselors, or other relevant professionals, as long as they are authorized to provide healthcare services in their country. IOSS is not responsible for verifying the licensure status of participants. It is solely the individual’s responsibility to ensure they hold the necessary licensing. By enrolling, the participant affirms that they meet this requirement.
This diploma certifies that the holder has successfully completed a private training program in sexology offered by IOSS. The purpose of this diploma is educational and professional development. It demonstrates engagement with the theoretical and applied study of sexology within the context of private training. The diploma does not confer academic status, professional licensure, or authorization to practice and does not replace national regulatory requirements.
Why is learning with IOSS different?
Drawing on the principles of andragogy and transformative learning, the IOSS framework for education in sexology focuses on creating learning environments that foster intrinsic motivation and a love for learning. The IOSS framework posits that intrinsically motivated learning will be developed and maintained within learning environments that promote (1) transformative, (2) autonomous, and (3) embedded into the workflow learning (Kirana PS & Tripodi F, 2025).
Love for learning is evoked within transformational learning environments designed not only to transmit new knowledge and skills, but also to continuously awaken the learner to new ways of perceiving and examining the world of sexuality. Transformational learning in sexology induces a profound change in the learner’s thoughts and emotions related to the subject matter and the experience is often sparked by moments of sudden insight, prompting the learner to reflect on the revelatory knowledge they have gained. With transformative learning, learners are different afterward in ways they and their clients can recognize. If transformative learning is effective, it will be evidenced in the learner’s clinical practice. In this respect, IOSS education in sexology creates learning experiences that employ the following instructional strategies:
- Transmitting scientific knowledge and skills of high relevance to clinical practice.
- Inspiring and triggering moments of insight (aha moments).
- Emotionally engaging learners to the subject matter.
- Fostering clinical thinking, reflection, and discourse.
The IOSS framework suggests that autonomy is critical to developing intrinsic learning motivation. Autonomy refers to both the learners and the learning providers, that is, (1) the former adopt a self-directed approach, and (2) the latter adopt a pluralistic approach.
When learners are self-directed, they take the initiative in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning goals, selecting and implementing appropriate learning strategies within a semi-structured curriculum, and evaluating their learning outcomes. Self-directed learners have a greater and more purposeful motivation and tend to apply, to a greater extent, the knowledge they have learned.
Autonomous learning requires the course directors to adopt a pluralistic perspective that embraces diverse intellectual viewpoints, allowing for the presentation and discussion of various theories and scientific results free from theoretical, organizational, associational, or geographical restrictions. The IOSS education in sexology is a learning environment:
- That encourages learners to autonomously select what to learn, reflect on it, and assess its usefulness.
- That values and integrates a wide array of therapeutic approaches, new ideas, and global practices, avoiding the dominance of any single school of thought.
- Where learning providers adopt a pluralistic perspective to what is being taught and by whom.
Often, learners decide to deepen their knowledge in sexology while they are already working in clinical practice. It means they need flexibility in terms of access to learning content. Learning in the flow of work involves providing learners with access to training opportunities that are integrated into their ongoing professional processes. In simpler terms, it means offering training exactly when and where it is needed, without requiring individuals to divert their attention from their current tasks. When learners receive information in the context of their work, they can immediately apply it and then return to their regular tasks. The outcome is a heightened level of engagement with training, increased productivity, and a more substantial return on investments made in training. With IOSS, sexology education is integrated into the flow of work and has the following characteristics:
- Relevant to clinical work and immediately applicable.
- Available on demand with the possibility to easily find material that can be accessed at any time of the day, from a computer, tablet, or cell phone with an Internet connection.
Frequently asked questions
The registration fee is 1.500€$1,761, and the course duration is one year. This includes: 1) access to video lectures; 2) four group and four individual supervision sessions; 3) exam and certification; 4) full access to the whole IOSS video library, including new educational videos added each month; 5) dedicated customer support on weekdays/office hours.
Group supervision sessions are offered twice a month, and learners may select four sessions to participate in. Most often , they are held on Thursdays from 16:00 to 17:30 UTC; however, learners should check regularly for any schedule changes. Individual supervisions are booked within weekdays and are aligned with European or US time zones.
No, the exam consists of five sections, and learners can take each section when they feel ready or after viewing the relevant videos. If they do not pass on their first try, learners are always welcome to retake the exam.
While the official language of the course is English, learners are expected to understand and communicate in English. However, video captions are available in ten languages to support the learning experience. These captions are provided as an additional aid and not as a primary means of communication.
Part of the program is accredited. Specifically, you can get up to 30.25 ACCME credits (also recognised by the UEMS) and 40 AASECT credits. To obtain the certificate for these credits, learners must complete an evaluation form. For further details, please contact [email protected].
Yes, IOSS is pleased to provide 10 scholarships each year to applicants from low and middle-income countries. Applicants are required to submit a short motivation letter as part of their application at [email protected]. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Each scholarship provides a €500 deduction on the course fees.
This course is designed to be completed within one year from the date of registration. If learners are unable to complete within this timeframe, they can extend their access for an additional year by paying a supplementary fee of € 750.
Yes, a 50% refund is available within 15 days of purchase, provided a written request is submitted to [email protected] within this period, and only if learners haven’t activated their account. Enrolled participants are expected to have read and accepted the terms and conditions before participating. Please review the terms thoroughly to understand the guidelines and expectations.
Yes. All active annual subscribers on the IOSS platform will have their entire annual subscription fee deducted from the diploma course fee.
This diploma certifies completion of a private training program and is not officially recognized by national authorities nor confers a license to practice.
