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Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Certificate (K-12)

4 Courses | 100% Online

IMPACTFUL TEACHERs

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Social Emotional Learning Certificate (K-12)

Create safe and supportive classroom environments with an online SEL Certificate from Merrimack College. 

Using evidence-based strategies, this certificate gives educators, counselors, and administrators the tools to manage the complex challenges of trauma and emotional development, and promote mental wellness across diverse populations.

Complete four online courses and you may qualify for a salary change* (Master’s +15 credits) or continue your studies with a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction.

  • Led by Practicing Faculty-Experts

  • Complete your Certificate in 9 months, part-time

  • 100% Online (Asynchronous)

  • 4 Courses, 16 credits

  • Apply credits toward a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction

  • Student Coaching & Support from Day One

  • No Licensure Required

Pursuing a 16-credit graduate certificate may qualify Massachusetts educators for a salary change (Master’s +15 credits)*

Who should get an SEL Certificate?

  • Teachers and paraprofessionals looking to stay current in their practice, potentially qualify for a salary increase, or influence policy

  • Building and district leaders looking to support academic performance and enhance school climate

  • Mental health professionals including school counselors, therapists, and social workers

SEL benefits both students and teachers.

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) reports that teachers with high levels of social competence are better able to protect themselves from burnout by:

  • Developing and managing nurturing relationships with their students

  • Serving as behavioral role models for children

  • Regulating their own emotions

Coursework & Learning Outcomes

Complete four courses and earn your Social Emotional Learning Certificate (K-12):

Establishing practices in schools and in the field that promote emotional growth, mental health wellness and social maturity and independence are key aspects of development. This course will explore strategies for incorporating practices that promote the development of these skills in youth and establish safe environments for youth to learn and grow. 

Students will be able to:

  • Describe and analyze the development of psychosocial attributes for students in K-12 schools.
  • Describe and analyze the ways in which positive youth development can be used to structure school curriculum and practice.
  • Develop an intervention or program to help students in the K-12 system attain SEL skills as part of their school experience.

Mental Health First Aid (Youth) (2 cr)

Participants in this two-credit graduate course will complete the National Mental Health First Aid certification program for Youth and explore applications of MHFA to different mental health crisis situations. The course focuses on recognizing signs and symptoms of an emerging or existing mental health issue, developing resiliency factors in young people, and noting risk factors. Note: This course has sensitive content and involves interactive units around mental health wellness and crisis. 

Student Outcomes:

  • Students will be able to describe and recognize the symptoms of major mental illnesses.
  • Students will be able to initiate conversations to refer students to appropriate services.

Mental Health First Aid (Adult) (2 cr)

Participants in this two-credit graduate course will complete the National Mental Health First Aid certification program for Adults and explore applications of MHFA to different mental health crisis situations. The course focuses on recognizing signs and symptoms of emerging or existing mental health issues and reducing stigma. Note: This course has sensitive content and involves interactive units around mental health wellness and crisis. (course may be customized to specific populations: higher education, Fire & EMS, Law Enforcement/Corrections, Veterans, Older Adults)

Student Outcomes:

  • Students will be able to describe and recognize the symptoms of major mental illnesses.
  • Students will be able to initiate conversations to refer students to appropriate services.

  • Diversity & Social Justice
  • Diversity and Difference for K-12 Educators
  • Resiliency and Wellness in the Professions (coming soon)
  • Conflict Analysis and Resolution
  • Critical Issues in Education 
  • Educational Leadership and Managerial Strategies
  • Financial Leadership
  • Project-Based Digital Learning
  • Designing Virtual Classrooms
  • Technology for eLearning and Teaching
  • Fundamentals Independent School Leadership
  • Fundamentals of Faith-Based Education

Admission Requirements & Tuition

To apply, you will need:

  • Bachelor’s Degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • Teacher licensure is NOT required
  • GMAT or GRE is NOT required

Tuition:

  • $736 per credit ($11,776)
  • Graduate-level credits are transferable
  • Is your school district a Merrimack Partner? Contact us to find out and learn about special partnership discounts.

*District salary ranges and policies may vary.

DEI Teacher

Master of Education (M.Ed.) Programs:

Our 36-credit Curriculum & Instruction (C&I) M.Ed. program covers an array of education related topics and situations, including diversity and social justice, special education, and English language learning, all culminating in a self-designed capstone project. The Curriculum & Instruction program does not lead to a Professional License.

Our 36-credit Master of Education in Early Childhood Education prepares you for your Initial License to work in grades Pre-K through grade 2. Through coursework and field based experiences, you will develop an understanding of subject matter knowledge, curriculum design, instructional strategies, observation and assessment, communication, and collaboration with families and the community.

Our 36-credit M.Ed. in Elementary Education prepares you for your Initial License to work in grades 1-6. Through coursework and field-based experiences, you develop an understanding of subject matter knowledge, curriculum design, instructional strategies, observation and assessment, communication, and collaboration with families and the community.

Our 36-credit Master M.Ed. in Middle School (5-8) and High School (8-12) Education prepares you for your Initial License to work in secondary education. Through coursework and field-based experiences, you develop an understanding of subject matter knowledge, curriculum design, instructional strategies, observation and assessment, communication, and collaboration with families and the community.

Merrimack College is authorized to endorse teacher candidates in the following content areas: Biology (8-12), Chemistry (8-12), Earth and Space Science (8-12), English (5-12), General Science (5-8), History (5-12), Humanities (5-8), Math (5-8), Math (8-12), Math/Science (5- 8), and Physics (8-12).

Our 36-credit English as a Second Language M.Ed. program prepares you for your Initial License to serve linguistically and culturally diverse students in PreK-6 classrooms. Through coursework and field-based experiences, you develop an understanding of subject matter knowledge, curriculum design, instructional strategies, observation and assessment, communication, and collaboration with families and the community.

Our 36-credit M.Ed. in Moderate Disabilities prepares you for your Initial License to work with children in grades PreK-8 with moderate disabilities who participate in integrated or self-contained classrooms. Through coursework and field-based experiences, you develop an understanding of subject matter knowledge, curriculum design, instructional strategies, observation and assessment, communication, and collaboration with families and the community.

Add-On Licenses:

Our 20-credit Add-On License in Early Childhood Education is designed for teachers who have already obtained an Initial License or a Professional License and seek to expand or “add-on” to their current credential. Our Add-On License in Early Childhood Education prepares you to work in grades Pre-K through grade 2.

Our 16-credit Add-On License in English as a Second Language (ESL) is designed for teachers who have already obtained an Initial License or a professional License and seek to expand or “add-on” to their current credential. Our Add-On License in ESL prepares you to serve linguistically and culturally diverse students in PreK-6 classrooms.

This 12-credit Add-On License in Moderate Disabilities is designed for teachers who have already obtained an Initial License or a Professional License and seek to expand or “addon” to their current credential. Our Add-On License in Moderate Disabilities prepares you to work with children in grades PreK-8 with moderate disabilities who participate in integrated or self-contained classrooms.

Certificates:

Merrimack’s CAGS in Educational Leadership offers targeted professional training for teachers, principals, district-level administrators, and other educators who already hold a master’s degree. You’ll explore current issues facing educators in Massachusetts and nationwide, and acquire practical tools to improve student performance, teacher effectiveness, and school- or district-level outcomes.

Showcase your commitment to inclusive education with a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) in Schools Certificate (K-12). Complete four online courses and you may qualify for a salary change* (Master’s +15 credits) or continue your studies with a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction. Be the go-to person in your district/building for elevating student voices, promoting equity, and steering policy change.

Create safe and supportive classroom environments with an online SEL Certificate from Merrimack College. Using evidence-based strategies, this certificate gives educators, counselors, and administrators the tools to manage the complex challenges of trauma and emotional development, and promote mental wellness across diverse populations.

This 16-credit, 4-course graduate certificate program is tailored to support current teachers seeking to remain in the classroom while taking on leadership roles such as team leader, department head, instructional coach, or curriculum coordinator.

A TOP GRADUATE SCHOOL

At Merrimack College, we’re proud of our long history of providing quality degrees to students entering the job market. Our faculty are more than just teachers. We are committed to helping you grow — academically, personally, and professionally — so that you graduate as a confident, well-prepared leader.

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  • The Princeton Review 2022 Best Northeastern Regional College
  • Forbes Magazine 2019 Top 10 Most Innovative School – Regional Universities North
  • Money Magazine’s Best Colleges Most Transformative College 2019
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Impactful Teachers

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