Social Emotional Learning, M.S.

General Description

The Master of Science with an emphasis in Social Emotional Learning is designed for teachers who currently hold a valid Pennsylvania teaching certification and wish to pursue a graduate degree with a focus on social-emotional learning. This program will be offered in a cohort fashion at approved off-campus locations throughout the Delaware Valley. Students completing specific courses in this program are eligible to add the state-approved Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness of PK-12 Students endorsement to their teaching certificate.

Please Note: EDU 526 Special Topics Courses taken at any location are not transferable into any of Neumann University Master’s Programs and are for professional development only.

Overview and Mission

Neumann University’s graduate program leading to the Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in Social Emotional Learning is consistent with, and driven by, the University’s Mission Statement. The nature and purpose of this degree program is to provide educators the opportunity to acquire a wide range of knowledge and skills designed to prepare them to assess and meet the needs of all learners in their schools. The goal of this program degree is to assist educators in providing learners with the skills they will need to recognize and successfully manage their emotions, develop positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and constructively handle challenging situations.

Program Design and Outcomes

The Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in Social Emotional Learning is designed to provide the graduate student with coursework providing them the skills and abilities to be able to:

• Assume instructional leadership positions (e.g. lead curriculum projects, engage in mentoring roles in schools)
• Orchestrate strategies and techniques in socially, culturally and emotionally diverse classrooms

• Comprehend the relationship between the pedagogical objectives of the school and the range of social emotional skills, talents and interests of a diverse community of learners
• Articulate the challenges faced by and capabilities of educators and demonstrate contemporary bests strategies and techniques for culturally and educationally diverse classrooms

Admission Requirements

Applicants with a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited, degree-granting institution who have successfully completed all prerequisite courses are eligible for entrance to the Master of Science in Education Program, subject to the approval of the Program Director.  Acceptance is on a competitive basis after submission of all credentials. All applicants must submit the following:

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited, degree granting institution.
• A completed Graduate Student Application online through www.neumann.edu/apply
• Official transcripts from each regionally accredited, degree granting institution attended.
• Letter of intent which outlines why you wish to pursue the Master of Science in Education degree or Endorsement.
• Names and telephone of two professional references.
• A copy of current teacher certification (if applicable and/or when pursuing additional certification or endorsement)

Once all admission materials have been received and processed through the Office of Admissions, the graduate Program Director (and/or SEL program director) will arrange for an interview following a review of all candidate credentials. 

Nine graduate credits from a regionally accredited institution may be transferred into the program with the approval of the School Dean.

The candidate must hold a valid Pennsylvania Level I or Level II Teaching Certificate in order to have the endorsement added.

Progression/Retention/Graduation Requirements

For the Master of Science in Education, continued progress requires that the student maintain an overall “B” average (cumulative 3.00 GPA) in the required courses and satisfactory participation in the program. Completion of all degree requirements for the program is not to exceed five years. Exemption to this time limitation must be applied for in a written request to the Division Dean. Graduation from the program is contingent upon (1) submitting a signed Application for Graduation form to the Registrar on or before the date specified in the Academic Calendar; and (2) successful completion of all course work, including report(s) of action research, an effective, formal presentation of learning to a faculty committee, and an individual portfolio of developed resources and materials. The student must maintain an overall “B” average (cumulative 3.00 GPA) in all required courses, with no more than two grades of “C” level work. If the student’s GPA falls below a 3.0, the student will be put on probation. The student will have one semester to bring his/her GPA up above a 3.0. If this does not occur, the student will be dismissed from the program.