School Health Education, M.S. - Accelerated Pathway

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For further information: SchoolHealthEdGrad@southernct.edu

School Health Education Specialization

The Master of Science in School Health Education - Accelerated Pathway concentration prepares school health educators for leadership roles in the field of school health education. Accepted students will have the opportunity to finish their graduate degree in one year following the successful completion of a B.S. in Physical Education - preK-12 Teacher Certification B.S. to M.S. Accelerated Pathway at Southern Connecticut State University.  The Program imparts competencies as developed by American Association for Health Education and the National Council on Health Education Credentialing. These competencies prepare leaders with the skills and knowledge to coordinate, teach, and advocate for school health education programs for grades pre-K through twelve. Additionally, this program meets the requirements for certified teachers seeking a cross-endorsement in health education. Students are engaged in a contemporary program addressing curriculum development; selection and design of assessment strategies; skills-based teaching strategies; program planning, promotion, and evaluation; advocacy; and health communications.

This graduate program is designed to support the individual learners through real-life experiences and whenever possible, application within their current school communities.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Undergraduate Students at Southern Connecticut State University are encouraged to apply for graduate admission no later than the spring semester of their senior year in collaboration with a faculty advisor in the Health and Movement Sciences department. All materials should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions the Friday prior to the start of spring break. Students will select the M.S. in School Health Education and the Accelerated Pathway concentration.  Please consult the admission requirements below and within the Admission section of the graduate catalog for more information.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students interested in applying for admissions to the  M.S. in School Health Education - Accelerated Pathway should apply online through the Office of Graduate Admissions website: www.southernct.edu/gradadmissions.  Candidates seeking admission are expected to have completed their bachelor's degree requirements and attained a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (out of 4.0).  Students will be granted early acceptance to the School of Graduate and Professional Studies through the Office of Graduate Admissions, which is conditional upon meeting the GPA requirements and those listed below.

Apply using the School of Graduate and Professional Studies' online application process: 

       Overview of the Graduate Application Process
       The Graduate School Application 

Important:  Students may upload most documents to the Admissions website.  Official transcripts and recommendations must be mailed directly to:

Southern Connecticut State University
School of Graduate and Professional Studies
501 Crescent Street, WT 105
New Haven, CT 06515

If you have attended SCSU, you only need to indicate this on your application; you do not need to send your official transcript.

The requirements for matriculation and admission to the School Health Education Program for the Master of Science degree are listed below:

1. Complete SCSU School of Graduate and Professional Studies application with $50 application fee.

2. Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended by the applicant. Official transcripts should be mailed directly from the registrar of the institution to the location indicated by the School of Graduate and Professional Studies’ admissions process.  International transcripts require an external transcript evaluation.

3. Have an undergraduate Q.P.R. of 3.0 or higher

4. Submit a current resume

5. Submit a 500 word "statement of interest" describing professional aspirations, current and desired knowledge and skill sets, and how the MS Program in School Health Education will contribute to your professional development

6. Submit two letters of recommendation from an employer or former faculty 

Program Sequence-21 Credits

Course offerings include on-line and hybrid delivery. Students have the option of completing either a thesis or special project to complete program requirements.

As sequencing changes, it is highly recommended that students meet with their program advisor to finalize a list of requirements for graduation.

B.S. to M.S. Accelerated Pathway
9 credits of graduate coursework will be completed within the B.S. in Physical Education (Concentration: preK-12 Teacher Certification Accelerated Pathway) and the student will have 21 credits of graduate coursework remaining.

EDU 592 – Research in Education – 3 credits
SHE 508 – Contemporary Issues in Adolescent Health – 3 credits
SHE 558 – Group Process – 3 credits

Core Requirements (15 credits)
Students must earn a grade of "B" or better in each course.

SHE 505 – School Health Education Foundations – 3 credits
SHE 556 – Methods of Planning and Evaluation in School Health Education – 3 credits
SHE 560 – Curriculum Development in Health Education – 3 credits
SHE 561 – Sexual Health Education – 3 credits
SHE 570 – Leadership and Advocacy of School Health Education Programs – 3 credits

Electives (3 credits)

SHE 500 – Health and Society – 3 credits
SHE 511 – School Health Nutrition Institute – 3 credits
SHE 547 – Drug Prevention – 3 credits
SHE 552 – Methods of Teaching School Health Education – 3 credits
SHE 579 – Holistic Health –3 credits
SHE 590 – Thesis / Special Project – 3 credits

Capstone (3 credits)

SHE 594 – Thesis/Special Project Seminar II – 3 credits

Mission Statement

The mission of the School Health Education Program at Southern Connecticut State University is to prepare leaders that are equipped with the skills and knowledge to coordinate, teach, and advocate for school health education programs.

Program Goals

1.Prepare graduates as leaders in the field of health education.

2.Prepare graduates to coordinate, teach, and advocate for health education that is evidence-and standards-based, developmentally-appropriate, and culturally-relevant.

3. Integrate best practices in health education to develop health literacy, reduce health disparities, and promote student achievement.

4. Engage in inter-professional collaboration to enhance the delivery and promotion of standards-based health education programs.

5. Implement the necessary content and skills-based pedagogy to facilitate interactive learning related to health in Pre K–12 classroom settings.

6. Integrate the latest health and educational research and technological innovations to develop, promote, implement, and evaluate policy, programs, and services in school health education.

7. Cultivate an intellectual desire for advanced study, inquiry, and research in school health education.

8. Deliver innovative programs of study that are responsive to contemporary health issues such as mental health, school climate, sexual health education, drug prevention, and other vital areas in school health education. 

9. Prepare professionals to deliver lessons in a cooperative, compassionate, and ethical manner.

10. Cultivate school, family, community, and business partnerships to support health promotion and education efforts.

Student Objectives

School Health Education students will be prepared to: