Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness (PK-12) Certificate

Overview

As an educator, you may have seen firsthand how children struggle to build and master social, emotional and behavioral wellness skills. The effect this can have on their learning ability and the disruption it can cause in your classroom is significant.

Although research supports social-emotional learning (SEL) programs as a core curriculum component, it's rare for teachers to have the formal training needed to seamlessly help children develop these skills in tandem with academic learning. To prepare for the barriers your students may face and support their growth, you need to add to your own skillset, which is why earning a certificate in Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness (SEBW) of PK-12 students can be so beneficial.

What Is the Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness PK-12 Certificate?

The Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness (SEBW) of PK-12 Students certificate program at Saint Joseph's University is a 4-course, 12-credit program that prepares professional educators to identify and support their students' SEL needs.

The program meets the educational requirements for the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness Endorsement.

100% Online SEL Certification

Designed to meet the needs of both working professionals in the education field and students seeking to earn the certificate as part of their Master's of Science in Special Education, Saint Joseph's SEBW certification program is offered completely online. As an online student, you'll benefit from graduate-level courses taught by our expert faculty and acquire new tools to better help your students and meet their needs.

The full curriculum can be completed in as little as two semesters (less than one year) or can be spread out to align with your schedule and goals. In general, the SEBW certificate can be earned through 12 credits of graduate coursework — four courses total — and related field experiences. Those who have already earned their master's degree in special education at Saint Joseph's will only need to take two courses. Act 48 credits will also be offered for these courses.

What Can I Do with a Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness Certificate?

This certificate will teach you SEL interventions that can drastically improve the lives of your students. Studies show that SEL interventions increased academic performance by 11 percentile points and that SEL programming can have a positive impact up to 18 years later.

Saint Joseph's online SEBW certificate is also designed to enhance the skills and training of classroom teachers, educational administrators, school counselors, school psychologists and social workers.

How Will Saint Joseph's University Enhance my Career in SEL?

Taught by faculty who are experts in their field, the certificate program can help you improve the social, emotional and behavioral wellness of your students. Graduates of Saint Joseph's online SEBW (PK-12) program will:

Recognize the characteristics and impact of adverse childhood experience, trauma and mental illness on PK-12 students
Understand behavioral and mental health literacy
Carry out interventions to support social, emotional and behavioral wellness across PK-12 educational environments
Collaborate effectively with families, agencies and the community

View Curriculum and Courses

At-a-Glance

Length	Average part-time: 2 - 4 semesters, or 6 - 12 months.
Credits	12 credits or 4 courses.
Start Terms	Spring, summer or fall.
Format	Online.
Tuition for 2022-2023	$812 per credit hour. Learn more about our tuition & fees.
Stack this Certificate into a Master’s Program	This certificate doubles as a concentration option for students in the Special Education M.S. and Education M.S. for all grade levels (Early childhood/elementary PK-4; Elementary/Middle School Education; and Secondary 7-12).
Requirements	You must have a bachelor’s degree and a valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or Instructional II certificate.
Admission Information	To learn more about the admission process and required materials, Graduate Admission can provide more information or answer any questions.
Financial Aid	Scholarships, federal and state grants, loans and other types of financial aid may be available to those who qualify. Our Office of Financial Aid can help you understand your options.
Discount Eligibility	Alumni of Saint Joseph's are eligible to receive 10% off the cost of this program through our alumni discount. Completed a year or more of service with a recognized service organization? You may be eligible for our mission discount. Check with your employer to see if they are an Edcor or a Bright Horizons EdAssist member, which may entitle you to a discount on graduate programs. *note - discounts cannot be combined.
Veterans	Saint Joseph's is a Yellow Ribbon School that accepts GI education benefits. Our Office of Veterans Services can help you access and understand your benefits.

For additional information regarding whether SJU’s programs meet educational requirements for professional licensure/certification, please visit https://www.sju.edu/disclosures.

Special Education MS

Today, almost every classroom includes a number of students with disabilities — either physical, educational, emotional or a combination of all three. Our innovative curriculum is designed to develop and refine competencies in professional educators in order to meet the demands of teaching students with special needs in a variety of school environments, public and private, urban and suburban.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement

Endorsed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement program at Saint Joseph's features a curriculum that focuses on assessment and research-based strategies. The program places special emphasis on skill development and behavioral modification for students of all ages who have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum.

Applied Behavior Analysis MS

Saint Joseph’s University’s online ABA master’s degree is designed for individuals with a background in education or the social sciences who are interested in becoming Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA). However, anyone with an interest in learning about positive behavioral interventions and support can also benefit from this program.