Core Courses Four core courses are required. They promote a wide range of explorations designed to provide a fundamental understanding of sexual orientation from various perspectives of the human experience. These become the foundation from which students build their own individualized studies within the concentration, tailored to explore the questions, issues, and populations of primary interest to them. These core courses are not intended to be in addition to the core courses in the CMHC degree requirement. They are expected to be integrated into required CMHC core courses and electives. The Concentration Coordinator as well as Faculty Advisors and Mentors can assist students in planning for such combinations.
Constructs of Sexual Orientation Encompasses the historic, philosophic, psychological, and political foundations and ramifications of concepts such as gender, sex, and love. Courses that include a focus on The History of Sexual Orientations; Development and Expression of Sexualities and Orientation; and The Philosophies of Sexual Orientations are examples of what would fulfill this requirement.
Etiologies of Sexual Orientations Encompasses the biological, developmental, and social influences on sexual orientations across the lifespan. Courses that include a focus on Development of Sexual Orientation; Youth and Sexual Identities; and Psychological Understandings of Sexual Expression are examples of what would fulfill this requirement.
Cultural Contexts of Sexual Orientations Encompasses the impact of cultural opportunities and pressures on the development and expression of sexual orientations. Courses that include a focus on Culture and Sexual Orientation; Same Sex Relationships and Ethnicity; and Religion and Sexual Orientation
are examples of what would fulfill this requirement.
Applied Issues in Sexual Orientation Counseling Encompasses the sexual orientation issues relevant to counseling, practice, research, and consulting. Courses that include a focus on Polyamory and Relationship Counseling; Counseling Treatments of Sexual Trauma; and Career Issues for Transgendered Persons are examples of what would fulfill this requirement.
Related Area Courses Five additional courses that include a primary focus on topics related to the goals and purpose of the Concentration are also required. Students may design their own related courses specific to the focus of their study within the concentration. This requirement may be fulfilled through the focus given to standard CMHC core course, an elective course, or a Capstone course.
Concentration Supervised Internship Sexual Orientation Concentration students meet the same internship requirements for all CMHC students. In addition, the internship work is required to have a substantial component that is relevant to the purpose and goals of the Sexual Orientation Concentration. Students work in internships where the population and content of the work are appropriate to the Concentration. The Concentration Coordinator as well as the Internship Coordinator can be consulted as a student explores possible internships. The student works with the internship supervisor to integrate Sexual Orientation Concentration learning goals.
Concentration Final Product Sexual Orientation Concentration students will complete either a Thesis or Capstone project that meets the same requirements as all CMHC students. In addition, the thesis or capstone work will have a substantial component that is relevant to the purposes and goals of the Sexual Orientation Concentration and are expected to be a culmination of the student’s focus through their previous work.
