SHEC FAQ

The SHEC program provides specialized professional training for aspiring and practicing sexuality educators. SHEC is unique because it is the only program in Canada that both trains and certifies graduates “how to” teach comprehensive sexual health education in an age-appropriate and inclusive way.

Those who are currently teaching sexual health will feel more confident and empowered in their skills and knowledge.

Becoming a SHEC Grad also means access to our global SHEC community and ongoing resources.

To ensure high-quality instruction and individualized attention, our cohorts are kept small—with a maximum of 12 students per cohort. Which is why we strongly recommend applying early to secure your place. 

Once cohort spaces are filled, applications will remain open for our waitlist. If a spot opens up, candidates on the waitlist will be contacted in the order their applications were received.

After you submit your application, you will get an email confirming that it was successfully received.

Our admissions committee reviews applications on a rolling basis. This means we evaluate submitted applications in waves continuously throughout the admission period. We encourage you to submit your application as early as possible to secure your spot.

Yes, absolutely. While SHEC is an academically rigorous program, we welcome applicants from a wide variety of professional and educational backgrounds.

Our cohorts regularly include passionate professionals from fields such as education, healthcare, social work, counseling, midwifery, gender and women’s studies, community advocacy, and youth work.

While the material can be more demanding if you don’t have a background in education or health sciences, what matters most is a strong dedication to the field of sexual health and a commitment to engaging with the coursework. If you have a clear vision for how you want to apply this education in your community or career, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Currently, there is no formal process in Canada for teachers or health professionals to specialize in teaching sexual health. As the largest non-profit provider of sexual health services in Canada, Options for Sexual Health has created a comprehensive training program for those who wish to teach sexual health to a variety of audiences. Graduates of the SHEC program who go on to complete the practicum component completing the certification requirements; will be eligible to say they are an Options for Sexual Health Certified Sexual Health Educator.

The selection committee carefully considers all aspects of the application with particular emphasis on the letter of intent. A workable, well considered plan for how the certification will be used is looked upon most favorably. In particular, Options for Sexual Health hopes to support the training and development of rural sexual health educators.

Yes. While Options for Sexual Health is a provincial organization based out of BC Canada, the SHEC program has accepted and certified students from all over.

It is important to note, however, that the majority of the content in the program is tailored to BC or Canadian education and laws. The core of the content taught can certainly be adapted to other areas.

The cost for the SHEC program is $4200 CAD when paid in full or three-installments of $1450 CAD. This includes all five modules, the practicum component and course materials. The completion of a SAR workshop is not included in this cost.

We accept payments made via E-transfer or PayPal/Credit Card. There is a 3% fee applied to any payments made via PayPal / Credit Card.

You can pay for the course in full or in three-installments:

• First payment (typically) due 30 days prior to Module 1

Payment in full is $4200 CAD (this includes a $150 discount). 

Payment in three-installments includes 3 payments of $1450 CAD.

• Second payment due two weeks prior to Module 3. Third payment due two weeks prior to Module 5

Payable by e-transfer or PayPal / Credit Card. Payments made by PayPal / Credit Card will have a 3% fee applied.

Please note: A $500 CAD non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot. 

At this time, SHEC tuition fees are not eligible as a tuition tax credit. If you are self-employed, the cost of the program may be a tax-deductible expense; please contact a tax professional for assistance.

The student has a right to a full refund of all charges if they cancel this agreement before the date the first payment is due (typically 30 days prior to Module 1). After this date, the student will be charged a 10% processing fee for the refund procedure. If the student cancels or discontinues the program partway through, the student will be reimbursed for 50% of payments made in advance, but will not be reimbursed for the portion already attended.

The entire program consists of five modules, followed by the practicum component and the prerequisite (SAR is an additional workshop to attend either before or during the SHEC modules. It is a requirement to complete a SAR workshop in order to be certified).

Modules are offered once a month or every four-six weeks (with a break through the month of August). Students will then have a year to complete the practicum component (extensions available when requested).

The SHEC program is a synchronous virtual training course completed in cohorts.

In the rare event that an emergency forces a student to miss a day or more of a module, the student will be deferred to the next cohort to complete the course. 

We understand that unexpected life events—such as a severe health issue, family emergency, or childbirth—can happen. If an extreme circumstance prevents you from completing the course component, we offer options for deferral and withdrawal:

Course Deferral

• If you leave the program midway through (for example, completing Modules 1–3 but missing Modules 4–5), you may defer your enrollment to the next cohort to complete the remaining modules, take the final exam and graduate with that cohort.
• To ensure information retention and fairness to program resources, deferrals are capped at a maximum of two subsequent cohorts (approximately one year from your original start date).
• Full program tuition must be paid in full prior to re-joining a future cohort.

Permanent Withdrawal

All course fees are strictly non-refundable. If you choose not to complete the remaining modules in a future cohort, or decide to withdraw permanently, no partial refunds will be issued.

Why This Policy Exists: As a non-profit organization, our cohort sizes are strictly capped to maintain a high level of interactive training. When a student defers mid-program without completing payment or cancels later on, that spot cannot be filled by another applicant. Refunds or unpaid deferrals result in a direct financial loss for the program and withhold a spot from another dedicated student on our waitlist.

Options is committed to growing the numbers of sexual health educators who are Black, Indigenous, or who are people of colour. Please let us know on your application form if you’d like to be considered for any scholarship opportunities available for BIPOC students. 

All five modules are conducted live online (Friday – Sunday; 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PCT). Because the curriculum relies heavily on real-time group engagement and applied practice, full time attendance is required. 

Students are expected to check the module dates with their schedule prior to applying to confirm there are no conflicts.  

PCT is Pacific Time (Vancouver, BC)

A Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) is an experiential workshop intended to explore personal and professional values around human sexuality and gender.

This workshop is a requirement of SHEC certification and must be completed before completing Module 5 of the course.

When applying; students will need to state the SAR they have attended (within the last 5 years) or plan to attend with the date/organization name.

Students will need to show proof of attendance (‘certificate of completion’) in order to be certified.

There are many offered online by other organizations in North America. You will find options by googling Sexual Attitude Reassessment or checking the AASECT website, under their CEs search SAR.

For specific questions about this, please contact Saira (shansen@optbc.org)

Options for Sexual Health is the only organization that offers a Sexual Health Educator Certification program in Canada. AASECT in the US provides information about continuing education courses and is a certifying body for sexuality educators and therapists. Some Canadian and US institutions offer degrees or minors in sexual health, sexuality or related fields, but currently there is no program in Canada that trains AND certifies graduates to teach sexual health education.

Once you complete all five modules, you become a SHEC Graduate for life and receive ongoing access to the SHEC Community! From there, your path depends on your personal and professional goals:

• Some graduates choose to conclude their journey after the modules, using their new knowledge to expand their skills within their existing careers—such as teaching, nursing, counseling, social work, or community advocacy.
• As a SHEC Graduate, you have the foundational knowledge needed to start your own business, whether you choose to complete the practicum or not.
• Students seeking to specialize further can complete the student-led practicum to become a Certified Sexual Health Educator. While certification isn’t strictly required to work independently, many organizations and community groups look favorably at those who are certified graduates when hiring educators.

Yes!

The practicum is a student-led, strictly teaching based component designed to bridge the gap between foundational knowledge and professional practice. For many, becoming a successful sexual health educator means learning to build your own brand or create your own opportunities; the SHEC practicum is structured for you to develop these essential career skills. Which is why the practicum is completed within your chosen community, allowing you to focus on your preferred teaching location and target audience.

Students are responsible for securing a practicum supervisor(s) to observe a portion of the required teaching hours. Supervisors can be any professional (for example: an employer, colleague, teacher, or principal) and does not need to be a sexual health specialist, as their role is to provide feedback on your instructional delivery.

The practicum officially begins once all five course modules are complete. You have one year to fulfill the requirements, with extensions available upon request.

Successful completion of the practicum is required for those seeking Certification. Students who choose not to complete this component will conclude the program as a SHEC Graduate.

Applications for our Winter 2027 and Spring 2027 cohorts are now open. 

Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis, therefore, we encourage you to apply early.

The SHEC Master Class Series is a new national hub for professional development in comprehensive sexuality education.

Designed for SHEC Grads, sexuality educators and sexual health professionals across Canada.

The workshops move beyond the basics to explore emerging research, tackle complex topics, and exchange practical strategies for the classroom and community.

Workshops are offered every month, beginning September 2026.

To see the full schedule and register, click here.