Advance your skills in teaching physical education. The Skills-Based Health/Social Emotional Learning (SEL) - Physical Education Certificate coursework is based on SHAPE America's Grade Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education and the CASEL Social Emotional Competencies. If you have an initial license in physical education, you may also submit the credits earned in this program when applying for or renewing your professional license.
Modality
Health/Social Emotional Learning - Physical Education Certificate Program Overview
The online Skills-Based Health/Social Emotional Learning - Physical Education Certificate provides training in pedagogical practices that enhance the delivery of physical education/SEL. Through collegial sharing and the direction and support of our expert instructors, students gain knowledge and skills to improve the delivery of physical education.
Social and emotional learning (SEL) focuses on helping students to integrate skills, attitudes and behaviors that contribute to overall personal well-being. This includes self-awareness, self-management (such as goal setting and impulse control), social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making.
Skills taught in the Skills-Based Health/Social Emotional Learning (SEL) - Physical Education Certificate curriculum greatly benefit children’s success in school, career and life. For example, kindergarteners with stronger social and emotional skills are more likely to graduate from high school and college and have stable, full-time employment. They are also less likely to commit crimes or have drug, alcohol and mental health problems.*
All courses for this program are taught online.
*Committee for Children, Why Social and Emotional Learning and Employability Skills Should Be Prioritized in Education at https://www.cfchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/policy-advocacy/sel-employability-brief.pdf (visited November 23, 2023).
Health/Social Emotional Learning - Physical Education Certificate Program Highlights
Graduates of this post-baccalaureate certificate program will have greater competency in teaching physical education and social and emotional learning. Skills gained include:
- Knowledge and strategies to implement model-based instruction in physical education.
- Using assessment data to inform performance-based assessment and instruction.
- Designing quality physical education programming
- Implementing best practices such as standards-based assessments and curriculum, including social-emotional learning and instruction
Advantages of Cambridge College's Certificate Program
- Online classes: The Health/Social Emotional Learning - Physical Education Certificate program at Cambridge College is offered entirely online, giving you maximum flexibility to work at a time and place that’s convenient for you.
- Experienced faculty: Online classes at Cambridge College are highly collaborative, interactive learning experiences led by scholar-practitioners who bring extensive research and professional experience to the program.
- Exceptional value: Cambridge College is one of the most affordable private nonprofit colleges in the nation, offering quality education at a low tuition rate.
Tuition Information
*See curriculum sheet for a breakdown of credits and credit ranges.
Course List
This post-baccalaureate program features four courses, each of which is delivered completely online:
- Model-Based Instruction in Physical Education
- Assessment in Physical/Social Emotional Education
- Quality Programming in Physical/Social Emotional Education
- Best Practices in Physical/Social Emotional Education
Prospective graduate degree students for programs in the School of Education & Counseling must satisfy the following requirements plus any program-specific requirements your program may have.
- Complete and sign the online application.
- Pay the application fee. Pay your $50 ($100 for international students) application fee by the term start date.
- Send official transcripts. Maildirectly to Cambridge College in a sealed, unopened envelope. Learn How to Send Transcripts. Required degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities.
- Master's and most graduate certificate programs require an earned bachelor's degree.
- Post-master's certificates and CAGS require an earned master's degree.
- International transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an approved agency. See all international student requirements
- Send your résumé and work experience. Send your resume that details your education and work experience, including how they pertain to your career goals. If your SEC program has a work experience requirement, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Submit your personal statement. Write a 500-word, typed, double-spaced essay describing your professional experience, goals and objectives for graduate study. How do you expect your graduate studies to enhance your future career?
- Include two professional recommendations (not required for fully online programs). These should address your professional character and ability to perform graduate work. Download Applicant Recommendation Form
- Interview (required for some programs). If your program requires an interview, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Satisfy Health Insurance & Immunization requirements. (Massachusetts only). These are required only for graduate students taking six or more credits per term in Massachusetts through on-campus or hybrid classes. Health insurance may be waived.
Teacher Licensure Program Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed above, our Teacher Licensure Programs have these additional requirements:
- Earned bachelor's degree with 3.0 or higher GPA.
- MA Educator Documentation from the Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) website. Keep copies of all documents submitted and, upon admission, post in your electronic portfolio:
- Massachusetts Educator Personnel ID (MEPID number)
- MTEL Communication & Literacy Test, successfully completed.
Required if completed:
- Massachusetts preliminary license, if held
- Sheltered English Instruction requirement
- Fingerprinting and Criminal Offender Record Information
Applicants who do not initially meet all requirements (e.g. GPA of 3.0 or MTEL) for admission into their chosen licensure program must enroll in the corresponding non-licensure degree option. Students who achieve a 3.0 GPA upon completion of the first three SEC courses, pass the MTELs, and now meet all requirements, may request a change of program.
Disclosures: For all Licensure Programs
- Licensure requirements are subject to change per Massachusetts regulations. All Cambridge College licensure programs are based on current regulations.
- All candidates admitted for licensure programs must successfully complete the program in its entirety.
- All requirements at the time of program completion must be finalized prior to seeking Massachusetts endorsement for licensure purposes.
- If you have any licensure questions, please speak to your program chair.
Physical Education and Social Emotional Learning Careers and Salaries
Completing the Skills-Based Health/Social Emotional Learning (SEL) - Physical Education Certificate program prepares you for various career paths, from teaching physical education in schools and coaching to health education.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, high school physical education teachers' median annual salary as of May 2022 is $62,360.1 Health education specialists' median annual salary as of May 2022 is $59,990.2 And coaches and sports talent scouts have a median annual salary of $44,890.3
$62,360
Median annual salary for high school physical education teachers, May 20221
$59,990
Median annual salary for health education specialists, May 20222
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, High School Teachers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm (visited November 23, 2023).
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Health Education Specialists at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm (visited November 23, 2023).
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Coaches and Scouts at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/coaches-and-scouts.htm (visited November 23, 2023).
Physical Education and Social Emotional Learning Jobs
Possible career pathways for graduates of this program include:
- Physical education teacher
- Health teacher
- Social and emotional learning specialist
- Coach
Faculty Spotlight
Mary C. Connolly
MEd, CAGS, CHES
Program Chair, Skills-Based Health/SEL and Senior Instructor
Mary is the Program Chair of the Skills-Based Health/Social Emotional program at Cambridge College. At the college, Mary is responsible for delivering quality programs for students seeking a Master of Education Degree, online health and physical education certificates, and a certificate for additional training in health education. She is also a health education consultant and helps many districts transform their curriculum from content-based to skills-based. She is the author of Skills-Based...