Get ready to talk relationships
Go beyond basic anatomical knowledge and sexual health! Use different perspectives to explore relationships; communication; parenting; how media affects our understanding of gender, sex, and relationships; the impact of culture on sexual values; and more, all from a social justice perspective.
Meanwhile, the program itself has a real family vibe. You’ll enjoy small classes and a tight-knit community at St. Jerome’s University, one of Waterloo's on-campus University Colleges.
With your Waterloo degree, you can choose from a slew of high-impact career paths, including teaching, counselling, social services, community engagement, and more. And you can always explore them early through the co-op stream.
Faculty:
Faculty of Arts
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in Sexuality, Marriage and Family Studies
Available as a co-op program?
Yes
Available as a regular program?
Yes
Available as a minor?
Yes
Build an awesome résumé. Looking for hands-on experience? We offer an eight-month practicum in fourth year and intensive research options. You can also gain 20 months of related paid co-op work experience through Waterloo’s Honours Arts and Business or Honours Arts programs.
15 electives = lots of choice. Our flexible curriculum includes 15 electives, freeing you up to add interests in other subjects (and opening the door to a double major, minor, or specialization). If you’re interested in counselling or social work, check out our counselling specialization.
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.
Sample co-op job titles
- Experiential learning marketing assistant
- Recruitment assistant
- Marketing coordinator
- Guest services attendant
Co-op work-study sequence
Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.
If you choose to study Sexuality, Marriage and Family Studies through Honours Arts and Business, your first work term will be halfway through second year (January - April 2027).
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Off |
| Second | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Third | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fourth | Study | Co-op | Co-op |
| Fifth | Study | Study | - |
or after second year (May to August 2027) if you choose to study Sexuality, Marriage and Family Studies through Honours Arts.
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Off |
| Second | Study | Study | Co-op |
| Third | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Fourth | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fifth | Co-op | Study | - |
Admissions
Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose Sexuality, Marriage and Family Studies as your major at the end of first year.
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of at least 70%)
Admission average: Low 80s (co-op and regular)
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements for Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.
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