The part-time Certificate in the Psychology of Gender and Sexuality aims to investigate gender and sexuality alongside issues such as power, leadership, self-concept, sexuality, and health. You will engage in a critical evaluation of the debates surrounding gender and sexuality. This course is suited to those who are working and/or supporting people, such as education, youth work, community groups, as well as people engaging in EDI policy development and implementation.

Some questions that will be examined are:

• What is gender identity?
• Is there a difference between sex and gender?
• How are men and women, and those who identify as non-binary, portrayed in the media?
• How large are actual gender differences?
• Where do gender differences come from?
• To what extent is gender based on nature or nurture?
• What do these approaches have to offer us in understanding our own gender and sexuality, our life experiences and our relationships?
• The politics of gender

The programme also explores how the psychology of gender and sexuality intersects with contemporary issues like education, sex crimes, and body image, providing valuable insights for professionals dedicated to supporting and guiding young people.

Credits: 10 ECTS

Course Practicalities

Course will be delivered on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm – 9.30pm online for 12 weeks.  Scheduled day may be subject to change.

Next course will run from September 2025.

Over the course of the Certificate, the learner will cover topics such as:

Introduction and Overview

• Biological Paradigms of Gender and Sexuality
• Sex Differences and Physiology
• Sex Differences in Brain Architecture

Social and Cultural Paradigms in Gender and Sexuality

• Mainstream Psychological Approaches to Gender and Sexuality
• Bio-Psycho-Social Views of Gender and Sexuality
• Key Debates Include the Nature Versus Nurture Debate
• Stable Versus Malleable Gender Differences
• Prescriptive Versus Descriptive Gender Stereotypes

Perspectives in Psychology Towards Sex and Gender,

• Essentialist and Constructionist Accounts of Sex and Gender.
• Internalising the External
• Meta Analytical Techniques and Evidence About Sex Differences
• Gender Stereotyping
• The Contribution of Anthropology

The Challenges to Mainstream Approaches

• Liberatory Challenges
• Feminist Challenges
• Postmodern Challenges
• Feminism and Psychology
• The Range of Feminist Perspectives

Historical Antecedents of Sex and Gender Within Psychology.

• Queer Theory
• Liberal Humanism
• Humaneering
• Implications for Gender and Sexuality
• Liberalism and Women’s Sexuality

Applications of a Critical Approach to Gender and Sexuality

• Domains of Professional Practice: Mental Health
• Education
• The Criminal Justice System
• Applied Aspects: Gender in the Workplace
• Gender and Health
• Gender in the Media

Assessment

Learners will be assessed by continuous assessment, including a 20-minute presentation and an 2,500 word essay.

Entry Requirements

Applications are assessed on a case by case basis in accordance with Carlow College Admission Guidelines and Procedures for Part-Time Learners

Fees

Course fees are €350 and payable at registration.

The next intake of this course commences in September 2025. Applications open in May.

To join a waitlist to be notified when the next intake opens, please email marketing@carlowcollege.ie

Please note payment in full is required at time of booking.