• On-Campus Component
    No
  • Cost
    $884 per credit
  • Total Credits
    60
  • Credential
    Graduate Degree
  • Admission GPA
    3.0
  • Application Deadlines
    Rolling Deadlines
  • Campus
    Twin Cities
  • College
    College of Continuing and Professional Studies

Why Earn a Master’s in Sex Therapy?

Are you ready to make a tangible difference in mental health? The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Sex Therapy is a fully online degree that puts you on the direct path to LPCC licensure in Minnesota and optional AASECT Sex Therapist certification. This unique, career-focused major combines an online curriculum with the essential experience offered through an in-person internship.

Plus, the degree was created in collaboration with the Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School. This ensures that your training is grounded in evidence-based research. 

Who Should Apply?

  • Future sex therapists and counselors who want to practice as an LPCC in Minnesota
  • Career changers ready to enter the counseling field and specialize in sex therapy
  • Recent undergraduates seeking a master’s path to becoming a licensed mental health counselor, specializing in LGBTQ+ clientele

Your Pathway to Licensure

Professional licensure is regulated individually by each state, meaning educational and experiential requirements can vary significantly across state lines due to differing legislative standards and public health needs. 

Visit the CCAPS website for more information.

Courses

The courses in this degree are offered via asynchronous, remote synchronous and blended formats to provide maximum flexibility.

Asynchronous: Access lectures, assignments and course materials on your own schedule. No required live sessions. Complete coursework at times that work best for you within set deadlines.

Remote Synchronous: Attend live, scheduled classes via video conferencing. Sessions mimic a traditional classroom experience with real-time discussions, lectures and group activities.

Blended Asynchronous and Remote Synchronous: Combine the flexibility of self-paced, online learning activities with scheduled, real-time virtual meetings for instructor-led lectures, discussions or group work. 

Required Courses (60 credits)

All courses are 3 credits.

  • HSEX 6001 – Foundations of Human Sexuality
  • HSEX 6015 – Sexual Pleasure and Intimacy
  • HSEX 6016 – Compulsive Sexual Behavior
  • HSEX 6211 – Dimensions of Sexual Functioning
  • HSEX 6212 – Sex and Relationship Therapy
  • HSEX 6213 – Sexual Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care
  • HSEX 6214 – Sex Therapy Assessment and Treatment Planning
  • HSEX 6313 – Gender Diversity, Sexuality and Sexual Health
  • ADDS 6005 – Counselor Identity/Ethics
  • ADDS 6015 – Social and Cultural Diversity in Counseling
  • ADDS 6021 – Group Counseling
  • ADDS 6035 – Research and Evaluation Methods
  • IBH 6301 – Career Counseling
  • IBH 6305 – Applications of Counseling Theory
  • IBH 6311 – Differential Diagnosis
  • IBH 6315 – Family Dynamics and Counseling
  • IBH 6325 – Applications of Assessment
  • IBH 6331 – Human Lifespan Development
  • IBH 6996 – Internship (1) - 350 hours
  • IBH 6996 – Internship (2) - 350 hours

Career Outlook in Minnesota

Minnesota is a great spot for LPCC professionals: mental health and substance use disorder social workers; substance use disorder, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors; and marriage and family therapists. Compared to other areas, Minnesota has more total employment and job postings.

  • 15KRelated jobs in 2024 (the national average for an area the same size is 12K)*

  • 543Related job postings per month (the national average for an area the same size is 346)*

*Lightcast.ai February 2025