Program in Sexuality, Women & Gender In Psychology and Education

Department of Counseling & Clinical Psychology

Certificate Program*

*UPDATE: The Certificate Program will not be accepting applicants for the 2023-2024 academic year

TO APPLY FOR THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM CLICK HERE FOR ADMISSIONS*

Admissions Requirements

PROGRAM OF STUDY

  • 12 points of specialized curricular requirements

  • A research paper covering the student’s interests

  • A semester-long volunteer/service experience.

Download the CERTIFICATE PROGRAM Handbook here

TRACKS

Exciting changes to the 12 credit SWG certificate are here at TC! Starting this semester, students can either opt for the general certificate program or a more specialized curriculum by having a focused plan of study. The different foci of the certificate are:

A. GENERAL FOCUS:

The certificate's required classes are CCPJ 4180 LGBTQ and CCPX 4125 (original program of study as approved by NY State). 

  • CCPJ 4180 LGBTQ Issues in Psychology and Education

  • CCPX 4125 Women and Mental Health

B. REPRODUCTIVE AND MATERNAL WELL-BEING FOCUS: (click here for more)

The certificate's required classes are CCPX 4125 and CCPX 4126.

  • CCPX 4126 Mother-Child Matrix: Clinical & Developmental Implications

  • CCPX 4125 Women and Mental Health

C. LGBTQ FOCUS:

The certificate's required classes are CCPJ 4180 and CCPJ 4030.

  • CCPJ 4180 LGBTQ Issues in Psychology and Education

  • CCPJ 4030 Reconstructing Gender: Exploring Transgender Experiences

COURSEWORK

Students must take the TWO required courses within Counseling and Clinical Psychology (CCP) dictated by your focus.  The following is the full list of recommended courses that can be used for the remaining 6 points.

  • CCPJ 4030 Reconstructing Gender: Exploring Transgender Experiences

  • CCPX 4199 Perinatal Mental Health: Clinical & Counseling Perspectives

  • CCPX 4199 Working with LGBTQ Couples and Families

Or choose your remaining points from courses in CCP or beyond in other departments with SWG approval first.

Additional CCP Courses

  • CCPJ 4050 Microaggressions in Institutional Climates

  • CCPJ 4165 Consultation in Community Agencies and Resources

  • CCPJ 4068 Counseling Women

  • CCPJ 5164 Multicultural Perspective in Counseling and Psychology

  • CCPX 4036 Psychology of Human Intimacy

Outside CCP Courses (not comprehensive, check course catalog and will need SWG permission)

  • HUDK 5123 Psychological Development of Women

  • HBSS 4122 Women’s Health

  • HBSS 4133 Human Sexuality Education*

  • HBSV 4011 Women and weight, eating problems and body image

  • C&T 4032 Gender Difference and Curriculum

  • ITSF 5008 Gender, education and international development

  • A&HB 4140 Latina Narratives

  • A&HF 4130 Gender & Violence

  • A&HF 4199 Media & Gender

  • A&H 4130 Trauma & Violence

IMPORTANT: Students should also register for ZERO points of independent study while simultaneously completing their semester-long practicum/fieldwork placement:

  • CCPJ 4903 Independent Study: Sexuality, Women, Gender

Research project

Students completing the certificate program will also be required to complete a research project that increases their knowledge and awareness of a chosen domain of interest (as it pertains to sexuality, women and gender). Some examples of appropriate research project topics include: understanding the relationship between minority stress and attachment satisfaction of sexual minorities; the impact of gender discrimination on career satisfaction of women in male dominated professions; understanding the link between first generation female college students and academic self-efficacy; understanding marginalization faced by partners of transgender individuals. Degree students may use their Integrative Project to fulfill this requirement.

Volunteer/Service Experience

The certificate program in Sexuality, Women and Gender is strongly committed to social justice and multiculturalism as it pertains to issues of equity and access for sexual and gender minorities and women. In the spirit of this commitment, all candidates for certificate program will be expected to complete a semester long volunteer/service experience in an agency that serves the aforementioned populations.

You must register for  ZERO points of independent study during the same semester of your fieldwork placement/practicum experience: CCPJ 4903-001  Independent Study: Sexuality, Women, Gender.

To find out more about the certificate, or if you have any questions, please email the SWG Project  swgproject@tc.columbia.edu.