Thank you for your interest in the Certified Sex Coach training program here at Sex Coach U! Prospective students often have the same questions about our programs and our application process, so we’ve answered the most commonly asked questions here.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Do we do the program at our pace? How many hours per week should I expect to devote to my studies?
- What support will I receive during my studies?
- Will we be writing papers and a thesis like in a Master’s program? Are there tests?
- Is it possible to see the material that is made throughout the training?
- Is it a one year program and on a Bachelor’s degree level?
- How much does the training cost?
- Why is SCU’s program so expensive compared to other sex coach courses?
- Since the program is on a selection basis, what is it that SCU is looking for in the selection process?
- What is the application process?
- Do you offer Scholarships??
- What credentials will I earn when I successfully graduate?
- How long will it take to earn my certification?
- Can I apply for AASECT certification when I complete my training?
- Where does SAR take place?
- Do I need to complete the SAR if I have already done one?
- Do I need to take any more training after I graduate?
- When can I start working as a sex coach?
- Is SCU accredited with the International Coaching Federation?
Do we do the program at our own pace? How many hours per week should I expect to devote to my studies?
Yes, this is a self-paced program, but there are time limits. For the Core program, you need to complete everything within 18 months.
If you are on an in-house payment plan, your payments must be made in accordance with your progress through the curriculum. If you’d like to move through the curriculum faster than your current payment plan, you can make extra or larger payments to speed things along.
We can’t tell you how many hours to set aside for your studies, because everyone is different in terms of how fast they read, watch, and process material, and everyone’s schedule is different. However, time estimates are provided in the Study Guides, so you’ll have a general idea of how long it should take you to complete each course.
You will want to make sure you put in several hours per week in order to keep up with it all and finish in time.
Don’t let procrastination steal your motivation! My best advice is to just do it. Don’t think about it, just carve out the time, make sure your family understands how important it is not to interrupt you during those hours, and then sit down and do it.
What support will I receive during my studies?
At SCU, we pride ourselves on our global community of sex coaches and sexologists.
On enrollment, students are assigned to a Student Advisor who reviews their work periodically to evaluate their progress. Student Advisors are available on a limited basis for one-on-one help with any study concerns and technical support.
All students have multiple opportunities to participate in live events throughout each month:
- Rendezvous Sessions are a chance to connect with student advisors and fellow students to discuss various topics related to sexology, get your questions answered, and connect with each other. These are live group coaching and mentorship sessions designed to empower, encourage, and support our students on their study journey.
- Peer Coaching Practice Sessions are twice monthly opportunities to actually practice coaching skills during a mock session in a safe container with other sex coaches in training who are also learning and exploring how to coach. Each session is unique and focuses on a particular coaching skill or element of the coaching relationship.
- SCU Book Club meets monthly to dive deep into a book on sexuality or coaching that is considered essential reading for sex coaches and sex coaches in training. The discussions are deep, intriguing, and often lead to vulnerable and authentic sharing by participants who say it’s a chance to “gain insight otherwise never gleaned, and gain a whole new appreciation or even an entirely different perspective on the book or on the world.” (Kincaid McMinn, SCU Graduate)
- Our twice-monthly SCU Presents! Webinars feature guest presenters who are experts in their field and are passionate about sharing their knowledge and skills with our students. Students get the opportunity to check in with each other at the beginning of each webinar, and they also have the chance to interact directly with the guest expert during the Q&A following the presentation. Occasionally, we also offer Bonus Webinars with individuals who are at the top of their field of expertise, adding curriculum content and high value to your studies.
- All students can enjoy our highly-engaged private Facebook community of students and WASC members. There are weekly threads to share your progress, inform the community about your work, and to ask for support. We strongly encourage students to use this community to form friendships and professional collaborations.
- We also have two live training events: SAR and ASPEX. These are great ways to make connections and form friendships with other community members. SAR can be attended in person or as a virtual event (see www.scuvirtualsar.com for more info). ASPEX is an intense, immersive, week-long in-person retreats designed to elevate and deepen your ability to be a clear, compassionate, competent container for your clients (see aspextraining.com for more info).
Will we be writing papers and a thesis like in a masters program? Are there tests?
Nope. But at the end of each course there are 2 types of self assessments: A self evaluation on whether you feel that you learned the content; and a 20-question multiple choice exam on the content covered in the course; with the answer key. We teach using Adult Learning Theory, which relies on you to self direct your learning progress. You will also complete a supervised practicum toward the end of the program, where you get to demonstrate your understanding of the material and your skills during live sessions with real clients. Your student advisor will review with you how your practicum sessions went and offer feedback.
Is it possible to see the material that is made throughout the training?
No, but a breakdown of the course curriculum can be found on our website. Our training is divided into 4 Modules, and each module contains instruction in clinical sexology, co-active coaching, and our unique Integrated Sex Coaching training that extends and synthesizes what you learn in the sexology and coaching courses.
Is it a one year program and on a Bachelor’s degree level?
While many people get this program done in 12-15 months, you have a total of 18 months to complete it.
It is more like a graduate program. In fact, the International Institute for Clinical Sexology (IICS) has determined that Sex Coach U graduates have the equivalence of a Master’s degree, so any of our graduates who hold a Bachelor’s in a healthcare-related field are eligible to apply for their PhD program in Clinical Sexology.
How much does the training cost?
The full tuition for the Core program plus the Business Quickstart program is $10,997 USD.
Many applicants will qualify for our special Early Bird discount, which takes $1,000 off the total tuition. The Early Bird discount expires roughly halfway through each enrollment period.
Students may either pay in full up front or we offer an in-house payment plan.
For those who opt for our payment plan, you will pay $660/month for 18 months (includes handling fee). If you qualify for our Early Bird discount, you will pay just $599/month for 18 months!
Additional costs:
As part of the program, students must also buy the books and videos required for each course. Costs vary but are approximately under $300 USD.
❤️ BONUS: When you enroll, we will send you an Amazon gift card for $75 for you to buy the three main required textbooks for your studies!
All Sex Coach U students are required to successfully complete a SAR training prior to graduation. Costs for SAR vary by provider.
❤️ BONUS: If you enroll in one of our Sex Coach U Virtual SARs, your fee is included in your Certified Sex Coach training program tuition!
Learn more about the SCU Virtual SAR here.
To deepen your learning and personal development, students may apply to attend ASPEX training, which is offered once or twice per year as a residential experiential retreat. This is not compulsory to achieve certification but is highly recommended. The cost for ASPEX varies, depending on location, which includes accommodations, meals, and local travel to the venue. Students will need to cover the cost of flights and housing before/after the retreat.
Why is SCU’s program so expensive compared to other sex coach courses?
We’re the original; we started this industry. We deliver the most comprehensive program in the world, with 21 courses in sexology, coaching, and our unique integrated sex coaching courses that integrate and extend your learning from the clinical perspective. Most importantly, we believe in practicing your craft. That’s why we offer weekly live peer coaching practice sessions each month (via Zoom), which are game-changers for most students.
Our students benefit from regular group mentorship sessions; private community support; an assigned Student Advisor; curriculum support; and webinars with the top experts of the fields in sexology, coaching, and business 2-3 times a month to uplevel the content in the program and bring it to the highest level of expertise.
Our content was developed by Dr. Patti Britton, the pioneer of the profession of sex coaching and the author of the only published book on the profession, The Art of Sex Coaching. Dr. Patti developed the MEBES Model for working with sex coaching clients that is used by sexological clinicians the world over.
You also get some pretty amazing bonuses when you enroll at Sex Coach U. You’ll learn the most essential elements for launching your new sex coaching practice in our Business Quickstart intensive, which helps you land your first clients. You’ll enjoy a 1:1 Supervision Appointment with our Curriculum Director when you first start seeing clients, to help you assess your first case and refine your approach. You’ll benefit from attending our yearly Cashflow Jumpstart Masterclass presented by the BOSC Co-Director, who will teach you strategies to generate income for your business quickly and reliably. We also now pay for your required SCU SAR!
Finally, graduating from SCU with your Certified Sex Coach credential grants you membership in the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) under our organizational umbrella, and instant eligibility to join the American Board of Sexology (ABS), the Association of Somatic and Integrative Sexologists (ASIS), and the America College of Sexologists International (ACSI). And SCU graduates with a prior Bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field are eligible to apply for the PhD in Clinical Sexology program at IICS (International Institute for Clinical Sexology), an accredited U.S. school based in Florida. Our program is the equivalent of a Master’s degree!
Since the program is on a selection basis, what is it that SCU is looking for in the selection process?
You must be over 21 years of age to apply to the Core Certified Sex Coach™ training program. Though, to be honest, it’s rare that we accept someone that young into the program, as it’s vital to have some life experience and maturity to draw on to become a Certified Sex Coach.
We are looking for bright, energetic go-getters who are devoted to making the world a more sex-positive place through helping others achieve their optimal sexual wellness. There are no educational or employment prerequisites, though a history of doing something in the field of sexuality is a plus. This can be as simple as being the person everyone you know turns to for sex advice or as complex as being an MD who specializes in urology or gynecology — or anyone in between!
Ideal candidates for Sex Coach U have a background in therapeutic training, or experience in the pleasure products industry, adult entertainment, bodywork (sexological or other), sex education, life coaching, counselling, nursing, Tantra or other sacred sexuality modalities.
Career changers with prior college education and/or work or business experience are also ideal candidates. SCU is a complete training program, so it is entirely possible to transition from other careers by achieving the knowledge and skills required to become a competent sex coach.
What you do need is dedication, self-discipline, motivation, and patience. You need a willingness to dive deep into your own psyche and work through and heal from your own sexual wounds. And you need to be open to new ideas and to the diversity of human sexual expression.
You will be challenged by this material, and you may even be triggered. You will need to have a reliable and effective support system in place and know how to self-soothe and regulate your emotional responses.
On the application, we’re specifically looking for people to fully answer our questions. One word and one line responses will not suffice. You need to show us who you are. Be authentic and demonstrate your enthusiasm. Answer our written questions thoroughly and from the heart to qualify to move on to the Application Interview.
What is the application process?
Students are accepted on a case-by-case basis depending on their application. Not everyone is accepted. In order to enroll in the program, students must complete a two-part application, which includes a written portion and a live Application Interview (conducted via Zoom). Applications are only accepted during open enrollment periods, which happen just three times each year (in Spring, Summer, and Fall).
Space is limited in each enrollment, and seats fill up fast. Join the Interest List here to learn the next dates for enrollment and to be the first to secure your place.
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Do you offer Scholarships?
Partial scholarships are awarded on a very limited basis. These need-based scholarships bring the tuition down 50%. Only three or four scholarships maximum are awarded during each enrollment period for the following categories:
- Someone who identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color residing in the United States,
- Someone who identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color residing outside of the United States,
- Someone with a documented disability or other special circumstance,
- Someone residing in Poland (for our special Dunlap Memorial Poland Award)
These scholarships are only available to exceptional candidates who:
- Can justify an extreme financial need,
- Can provide evidence of their ability to pay 50% of the regular tuition, in 18 equal monthly installments,
- Can demonstrate their passion for this work, and
- Are dedicated to serving the unmet needs of an underserved target audience.
Our enrollment team uses their discretion during each enrollment period to identify potential scholarship candidates. Those candidates will be given the opportunity to submit an additional questionnaire verifying their eligibility. The enrollment team will review all candidates and award scholarships toward the end of each enrollment period.
What credentials will I earn when I successfully graduate?
Graduating from this training gives you the title of Certified Sex Coach™, and upon graduation, you may add the initials “CSC” behind your name.
When you graduate, you qualify for instant eligibility to join the American Board of Sexology (ABS), the Association of Somatic and Integrative Sexologists (ASIS), and the America College of Sexologists International (ACSI).
And SCU graduates with a prior Bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field are eligible to apply for the PhD in Clinical Sexology program at IICS (International Institute for Clinical Sexology), an accredited U.S. school based in Florida. Our program is the equivalent of a Master’s degree!
Since Sex Coach U is a global organization with students and graduates in over 75 countries and counting, we are proud to be recognized as an organizational member of the World Association of Sexual Health (WAS). As an enrolled student or graduate, you automatically become a member of this incredible international organization under our membership umbrella.
How long will it take to earn my certification?
The Core Certified Sex Coach™ program is a self-paced study program. Students move through it at different rates. Some students finish their studies in as little as 12 months, although the average time is 12-15 months. Students have a total of 18 months to complete the program.
All students must also complete an SCU-approved SAR training and pay their tuition in full to be eligible for certification.
Can I apply for AASECT Certification when I complete my training?
Many prospective students ask if our program meets the requirements for certification through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT).
As of Jan 1, 2021, AASECT CEs are no longer provided through Sex Coach U. AASECT certification is restricted to United States citizens. However, Sex Coach U is a global organization with students and graduates in over 72 countries and counting.
Therefore, we are proud to be recognized as an organizational member of the World Association of Sexual Health (WAS). As an enrolled student or graduate, you become a member of this incredible international organization under our membership umbrella.
You may still apply for AASECT certification, but you’ll need to consult them about their requirements and whether or not your studies at Sex Coach U will qualify. We do not guarantee AASECT certification will be granted as a result of completion of the Core Certified Sex Coach™ training program.
AASECT certification is awarded on a case-by-case basis, according to a candidate’s background and whether they meet the highly-rigorous AASECT criteria. Learn more here.
Where does SAR take place?
SAR takes place at different times during the year, in different locations around the USA and internationally. Each training is offered by an SCU-approved SAR provider or another recommended trainer. Past locations have included San Francisco, Phoenix, Warsaw, Poland, Berlin, Germany, Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Prague, Czech Republic.
In-person SARs were suspended for much of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, the Sex Coach U team developed an effective virtual SAR and is now offering that to SCU students twice a year. The fee for the SCU Virtual SAR is included in your tuition.
Do I need to complete the SAR if I have already done one?
No, your previous SAR training will count. You will need to send your SAR completion certificate and a write-up on your SAR experience for submission to your student advisor. While you do not need to complete another to earn your certification, you may choose to take another to refresh your training.
Do I need to take any more training after I graduate?
The Core Certified Sex Coach™ program is a complete training program, providing you with all the skills and tools you’ll need to work and build a business as a competent sex coach. You do not need any further training after graduation in order practice as a Certified Sex Coach™.
That said, many of our students choose to take further training. Many have gone on to earn credentials in complementary fields like sociology, psychology, marriage and family therapy, counselling, GSRD therapy, or public health. Others choose to train in sexological bodywork, sacred sexuality, trauma therapy, or other holistic fields.
We highly recommend students continue to invest in their professional development after graduation to keep up with the latest developments in sexology and sexual health.
All students choose different paths, and it depends on the career goals and preferences of each student.
When can I start working as a sex coach?
SCU has a policy on working as a Sex Coach In Training, which you can view here.
In summary, SCU was created in order to provide the gold standard in sex coach training. We feel students are not ready to take clients through the full sex coaching process until they have completed their training and have passed their live practicum demonstration. This policy is to protect both students and clients from potential harm.
However, we acknowledge that many students who come to SCU already have prior training and experience in healing and therapeutic modalities and are already working with clients.
We encourage students to start building their business, their online presence, and their professional network as soon as possible. There are many ways to do this without taking clients through the sex coaching process, which you can read more about here.
Student advisors will assess whether their students are ready to work as a sex coach before graduation and will make the final decision.
Is SCU accredited with the International Coaching Federation?
No – sex coaching is a derivative of the field of sexology, not coaching. With Sex Coach U, you can be cross certified with American Board of Sexology and the Association of Somatic and Integrative Sexologists in the UK.
Also, Sex Coach U is the only sex coach training organization that has been approved for organizational membership in the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), a highly respected global organization dedicated to sexual health and wellness for all. All Sex Coach U students and graduates also enjoy membership benefits under our membership status.