Dissertation (MA Sociology)This dissertation reports the findings of the study on effects of students' sex on the effective utilization of guidance and counseling services in higher learning institutions taking a case of the University of Dodoma. It covers three themes, namely the extent to which the students' sex influences their utilization of guidance and counseling services, the underlying factors affecting the students' sex in utilizing guidance and counseling services, and the measures to enable the students to effectively utilize guidance and counseling services. Data for the study were drawn from four colleges of the University of Dodoma that sufficed to represent the higher learning institutions in Tanzania. Data were collected from 120 participants, i.e. 104 students and 16 University staff. These are 8 wardens, 7 academic advisors, and one dean of students. Both purposive and stratified random sampling were used to obtain the participants for this study. A questionnaire was administered to students while the staff participated through interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed through IBM SPSS, V. 20 to develop frequencies, percentages, and correlational analyses, while the qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. The analysis revealed that seeking of guidance and counseling services at the University is moderate, while there are more female students who seek services compared to the male students. Seeking of services appeared to decrease as the age of the students increased regardless of their sex, and when students were employees. Further, the sex of the service providers ranks the first in influencing seeking of guidance and services. Female students tended to prefer getting guidance and counseling services from the male staff while the male students did not seem to be influenced by sex. Confidentiality and settings of the offered guidance and counseling discouraged students of both sexes from frequently seeking the services. The study recommended that students should improve services, including setting up a special office that is separate from the dormitories where they live. Students should be oriented on the importance of seeking guidance and counseling services from the qualified staff.