One of the most common questions asked about the International Institute of Clinical Sexology (IICS) is: “Is this program accredited?” The answer is no, for a few reasons:
- Small programs like IICS are not able to get accreditation from a U.S. Department of Education accreditation provider. They just don’t do it.
- Accreditation is only necessary for programs that offer licensable degrees, such as a master’s in Mental Health Counseling or a doctorate in Psychology.
- Financial aid is not given to students in a non-accredited program, but we offer a payment plan.
- Students outside of the U.S. cannot get student visas for a non-accredited program, but our program is fully online and accessible to students worldwide.
So, where does that leave you when you are researching master’s programs?
First, let’s define the nature of this degree. It is a professional, practice-based degree that says the graduate is trained to practice competently and ethically in a particular field. The IICS program provides a Master of Science in Sex Coaching, so graduates are trained sex coaches. It is not a clinical degree and does not train you to diagnose or treat mental health conditions — that is what the IICS doctoral program in Clinical Sexology is for, and it primarily serves licensed therapists.
Coaching is not a licensed profession in any U.S. state, so an accredited degree is not required to practice as a coach. As a result, accreditation does not confer a professional license or scope of practice that an unaccredited coaching degree cannot provide.
That does not mean the degree is not legitimate or recognized as a degree. IICS is licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education (CIE) to operate as a postsecondary institution and confer its degrees and is subject to ongoing regulatory oversight, including annual reporting and review.
Therefore, the question to ask is, “Will this monetize? Will a degree that costs X number of dollars and takes X number of months earn me back my money and time?” Sex coaching is private-pay work, with no insurance panels or reimbursement rates to wait on. For graduates practicing with an MS in Sex Coaching, the answer is an enthusiastic “Yes!”
Thirdly, the tuition at IICS is still less than a good new car. Is this because it lacks value? Certainly not. There have only ever been a handful of graduate programs in this field, and the first ones set tuition very low, leading subsequent programs to keep their fees low in order to compete. Raising tuition is a slow process.
Finally, the question of student visas. IICS has students around the world, and the program is delivered entirely online. As much as someone from another country may want a way to enter the U.S. for an extended period of time, it is not a necessity for completing this degree.
