The Master of Education program uses the Massachusetts Health and Physical Education Framework to train students how to design and implement skills-based health/social emotional learning, PreK-12.
Students from states other than Massachusetts use the National Health Education Standards or their own state standards as a foundation to design and implement skills-based health/social emotional learning, PreK-12.
Modality
Program Overview for MEd in Skills-Based Health/Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Skills-Based Health/SEL program prepares you to be proficient in the implementation of the Massachusetts Health and Physical Education Framework. We offer both a licensure and non-licensure track. This program is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Classes for this Boston-based master's program include a mix of remote (Zoom) and online (asynchronous) learning. The remote classes are synchronous and scheduled during the late afternoon or evenings. The online classes are asynchronous – you can take them whenever it best fits your schedule each week.
Program Highlights for Skills-Based Health/Social Emotional Learning (SEL) MEd
Graduates of the Skills-Based Health/Social Emotional Learning (SEL) MEd program demonstrate expertise in health education content and skills. They are able to conduct needs assessments, use backwards design to assess, and plan instruction. They are prepared to coordinate school health, advocate for health education, and serve as a resource to the school community.
Why Choose Cambridge College for Your MEd
Prepare for new job opportunities in health education. The Master’s degree in Skills-Based Health/Social Emotional Learning (SEL) offers:
- Hands-on training: Take part in a supervised field experience as part of the licensure track for this program. The curriculum also includes an action research project.
- Licensure preparation: The licensure-track program satisfies Massachusetts licensure requirements, based on current regulations. If you have any questions about the requirements, please speak to the program chair.
- Flexible remote and online schedule: Earn your master’s degree through a combination of scheduled remote sessions (via Zoom) and online (asynchronous) classes. Remote classes are held in late afternoons and evenings, to fit the needs of adult learners.
- Experienced faculty: Learn from accessible, dedicated faculty who bring extensive research and real-world health education experience to the coursework.
- Exceptional value: As one of the most affordable four-year private nonprofit colleges in the United States, Cambridge College enables you to save on tuition and get greater value out of your education.
- Diverse students: Enrich your educational experience by working with other adult learners from all over the world at one of the most ethnically diverse colleges in the nation.
Skills-Based Health/SEL MEd Tuition Information
*See curriculum sheet for a breakdown of credits and credit ranges.
Skills-Based Health/Social Emotional Learning (SEL) MEd Course Options
The Skills-Based Health/Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Master’s degree program features classes such as:
- Implementing Curriculum in the Health/SEL Classroom
- Health-SEL Skills for Risk Reduction and Positive Behavior Change
- Improving School Health/SEL Through Coordination
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.
Careers in Skills-Based Health and SEL
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the greater Boston metropolitan area is one of the top 10 cities with the highest employment levels for health education specialists.
The average salary for health education specialists is $72,680* and community health workers earn $50,680** per year — both in Massachusetts.
Because our students are so well trained, administrators often contact the Program Chair to determine if we have students who are looking for a teaching position. Our students are well respected for what they know and are able to do.
As students work their way through the program, relationships are established that last many years and offer many benefits such as work opportunities, collaboration, and the sharing of resources and ideas.
In fact, many of our students apply to Cambridge College because of the recommendation of a graduate.
Our students are trained to teach PreK-12 skills-based health/SEL education. However, some students move on to other health-related fields and are very successful.
$72,680
Average salary for health education specialists in Massachusetts*
$50,680
Average salary for community health workers in Massachusetts**
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 21-1091 Health Education Specialists, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211091.htm (visited December 29, 2023).
**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 21-1094 Community Health Workers, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211094.htm (visited December 29, 2023).
Jobs in Skills-Based Health and Social Emotional Learning
Many of our graduates teach PreK-12 classes and college courses, or conduct research for colleges and universities. They also go on to find health education jobs in a variety of professional settings, including:
- Local health departments
- Hospitals and clinics
- Business and industry
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...