Master of Arts in Social Emotional Learning
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Lead Change with a Master’s Degree in SEL
Degree:
Master of Arts in Social Emotional Learning
Application:
$0 application fee. No essays/exams.
If you’re looking to expand your knowledge of social and emotional learning to empower educational communities, the Master of Arts in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the program for you. The MA in SEL is designed to help you make transformational change in your school community as you promote the intersectionality of SEL both in and outside of the classroom.
The Master of Arts in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) prepares educators to make research-based connections between social emotional learning, classroom and school climate, communication, cognition, critical thinking, and community-building. Designed to foster positive change-making and teacher leadership, the program equips graduates to create supportive learning environments where all learners can thrive.
Through the study of SEL research, learning environments, educational frameworks, and community-building practices, students gain the skills to evaluate the impact of SEL in schools, recommend evidence-based strategies, and promote positive classroom and school cultures. Graduates are prepared to lead initiatives that strengthen social emotional learning in classrooms, schools, and communities.
Designed for working professionals, the program features small class sizes, personalized faculty support, and convenient four-week courses that allow students to focus on one class at a time while completing their degree.
MA in SEL Degree Requirements
To receive a Master of Social Emotional Learning students must complete 30 semester credit hours of graduate work. A total of 3 semester credit hours of graduate credit may be granted for equivalent graduate work completed at another institution, as it applies to this degree and if the units were not used in earning another advanced degree and provided the coursework was completed within the past 7 years.
Transfer Credits
Students who complete the Master of Arts in Social Emotional Learning program and enroll in the Doctor of Education with a specialization in Social Emotional Learning can transfer up to 6 semester credit hours toward the degree requirements. The following equivalences would be applied in satisfying these degree requirements.
- SEL6000 Social Emotional Learning Foundations will transfer for SEL-7100 Foundations of SEL
- SEL6040 Integrating SEL into Classroom and School Communication will transfer for SEL-7200 Implementing SEL in the Modern Classroom
Students who complete the Master of Arts in Social Emotional Learning program and enroll in the Doctor of Education with a specialization in Trauma-informed Education Practices can transfer up to 6 semester credit hours toward the degree requirements. The following equivalences would be applied in satisfying these degree requirements.
- SEL6030 Relationships, Rapport, and Trauma-informed SEL Practices will transfer for TRA-7100 Trauma-Informed Educational Practices within Community Contexts and Conditions
- SEL6040 Integrating SEL into Classroom and School Communication will transfer for TRA-7300 Social Emotional Learning and the Ethic of Care in Trauma-Sensitive Environments
Students must pass the courses with a B or better grade to receive transfer credit.
Requirements for the Major
10 Courses
Social Emotional Learning Foundations
3.0 Semester Credit Hours
In this course, you will identify essential elements and explain the theoretical lenses of social emotional learning. You will also examine frameworks, programs, and policies that impact social emotional learning in classrooms and schools. Finally, you will discuss social emotional learning practices in classrooms and schools and analyze educational theories and practices through the lens of social emotional learning.
Infusing SEL into Learners’ Cognition and Critical Thinking
3.0 Semester Credit Hours
Prerequisite: SEL 6000
In this course, you will summarize research on learner cognition and critical thinking and apply it in relevant contexts. You will also explore how social emotional learning connects with cognition and critical thinking for learners. Additionally, you will discuss research-based strategies for infusing SEL into learner cognition and critical thinking. With this understanding, you will be able to explain your personal philosophy and approach to SEL in classrooms and schools and begin to apply research on SEL to your teaching practice.
Classroom and School Climates that Support Social Emotional Learning
3.0 Semester Credit Hours
Prerequisite: SEL 6000
In this course, you will explore research-based practices that build community in classrooms and schools to support social emotional learning and explain the role of community building in classrooms and schools. Additionally, you will discuss the importance of classroom and school climates for student and teacher well-being. This understanding will equip you to evaluate frameworks for classroom and school climates and recommend strategies grounded in social emotional learning for creating and maintaining those climates.
6030 Relationships, Rapport, and Trauma-Informed SEL Practices
3.0 Semester Credit Hours
Prerequisite: SEL 6000
In this course, you will discuss and recommend research-based resources for trauma-informed social emotional learning practices. Additionally, you will explain how relationships and rapport connect with trauma-informed social emotional learning practices and apply trauma-informed social emotional learning practices to strategies for building relationships and rapport in classrooms and schools. Finally, you will assess positive change-making and teacher leadership for building relationships and rapport in classrooms and schools.
Integrating SEL into Classroom and School Communication
3.0 Semester Credit Hours
Prerequisite: SEL 6000
In this course, you will explore social emotional learning infused approaches to classroom and school communication. You will discuss the role of effective classroom and school communication practices and determine how teacher leaders can meaningfully infuse social emotional learning into classroom and school communication. You will apply research-based practices that foster positive and effective communication in classrooms and schools to support social emotional learning. Finally, you will recommend research-based practices that build community in classrooms and schools to support social emotional learning.
SEL Research and Intersections in Education
3.0 Semester Credit Hours
Prerequisite: SEL 6010 and SEL 6020 and SEL 6030 and SEL 6040
In this course, you will identify intersections between an educational specialization of your choice and social emotional learning. You will synthesize research and practice-based professional viewpoints within your educational specialization of choice. You will also select appropriate targeted, practice-based social emotional learning strategies for classrooms and schools within that specialization and discuss how social emotional learning intersects with other educational specializations in education. You will enhance your graduate-level skills by identifying resources for research and scholarly writing.
Teacher Leadership for Building Community in Classrooms and Schools
3.0 Semester Credit Hours
Prerequisite: SEL 6050
In this course, you will examine how social emotional learning informs positive change-making and teacher leadership for classroom and school communication. You will discuss the role of teacher leadership in classrooms and schools through the lens of social emotional learning and recommend frameworks, programs, and policies that support social emotional learning. Additionally, you will justify your personal teacher leadership approach to social emotional learning in classrooms and schools. Finally, you will expand your graduate-level skills by demonstrating research skills and scholarly writing.
SEL in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
3.0 Semester Credit Hours
Prerequisite: SEL 6050
In this course, you will critically assess and interpret research on curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices through the lens of social emotional learning. Additionally, you will evaluate curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices so that you can recommend social emotional learning infused approaches to these practices in classrooms and schools. Finally, you will continue to practice your graduate-level skills by demonstrating research skills and scholarly writing.
Master’s Capstone Project 1: Literature Review
3.0 Semester Credit Hours
Prerequisite: SEL 6050 and SEL 6060 and SEL 6070
In this capstone course, you will analyze research, frameworks, programs, and policies that support social emotional learning and more deeply explore connections between your educational specialization of choice and social emotional learning. You will utilize your scholarly research skills to synthesize research on classroom and school climate, communication, cognition, critical thinking, and social emotional learning. Additionally, you will evaluate research-based practices that build community in classrooms and schools to support social emotional learning and critique educational practices and policies through the lens of social emotional learning.
Master’s Capstone Project 2: Project Plan
3.0 Semester Credit Hours
Prerequisite: SEL 6050 and SEL 6080
In this second capstone course, you will expand upon your work in the first capstone course to defend the role of ongoing scholarly research in social emotional learning teaching practices. You will develop a project plan for action research in your educational specialization of choice and justify the decisions you made in the project plan. You will also determine research-based practices and recommend ideas for educational practices and policies that build community in classrooms and schools to support social emotional learning.
Career Outlook
Data Source: The career outcomes data presented is sourced from Lightcast, which provides insights based on real-time job postings, public datasets, and analytics. Lightcast derives its data from sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), and the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES). While accurate and reliable, this data reflects general labor market trends and may not represent individual outcomes or specific local conditions. For more details on Lightcast’s methodology, visit their Data Overview.
Here are some careers this degree could prepare you for:
Please select the state you will work in to view job data in your area
- Top Jobs in this field
- Median Salary
- Job Openings
- Instructional Coordinators
-
$97,748
avg. salary (USA) -
2,305
job openings (past yr.) past year
ALl of USAMost Desired Skills
- Instructional Design
- Curriculum Development
- Learning Management Systems
- Adult Education
- Project Management
- Educational Technologies
- Continuous Improvement Process
ALl of USATop Companies Hiring
- Pearson Education
- Cardinal Health
- GovCIO
- Stride K12
- Cengage Learning
- Savvas Learning
- McGraw-Hill Education
- Social and Human Service Assistants
-
$51,676
avg. salary (USA) -
7,723
job openings (past yr.) past year
ALl of USAMost Desired Skills
- Social Work
- Human Services
- Psychology
- Case Management
- Mental Health
- Good Driving Record
- Behavioral Health
ALl of USATop Companies Hiring
- Molina Healthcare
- Monte Nido & Affiliates
- Sunrise Senior Living
- StoryPoint
- Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania
- Ryder
- Centene
- Community Health Workers
-
$57,332
avg. salary (USA) -
1,199
job openings (past yr.) past year
ALl of USAMost Desired Skills
- Community Health
- Social Work
- Community Outreach
- Health Education
- Care Coordination
- Behavioral Health
- Mental Health
ALl of USATop Companies Hiring
- CVS Health
- UnitedHealth Group
- Oak Street Health
- Labcorp
- Centene
- Integrated Services For Behavioral Health
- Humana
- Health Educators
-
$60,047
avg. salary (USA) -
1,660
job openings (past yr.) past year
ALl of USAMost Desired Skills
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Health Education
- Nursing
- Health And Wellness Coaching
- Public Health
- Lesson Planning
- Community Health
ALl of USATop Companies Hiring
- Gosvea
- YMCA
- Swift Safety Institute
- CVS Health
- Sharecare
- Life Time
- Colleyville Lifetime Fitness
SEL Program Learning Outcomes
Learn the key skills to help you excel in your field of study.
- Synthesize research on social emotional learning, classroom and school climate, communication, cognition, and critical thinking.
- Evaluate connections between learning environments and social emotional learning.
- Analyze frameworks, programs, and policies that impact social emotional learning.
- Recommend research-based practices that build community in learning environments to support socialemotional learning.
- Assess positive change-making and teacher leadership in the classroom, school, and community through the lens of social emotional learning.
Graduate Admissions
Transfer Students Welcome
Enrolling in a university is a big decision. That’s why our dedicated admissions team is here to guide you through the admissions process and help you find the right program for you and your career goals.
To that end, we’ve simplified and streamlined our application process, so you can get enrolled in your program right away. Because we accept and review applications year round, you can begin class as soon as next month, depending on your program and location of choice.
Learn more about undergraduate, graduate, military, plus admissions information for transfer students. You can also learn more about our tuition rates and financial aid opportunities.
To speak with our admissions team, call (855) 355-6288 or request information and an advisor will contact you shortly. If you’re ready to apply, simply start your application today.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
National University is dedicated to making higher education affordable, as well as accessible. Through NU scholarship offerings, eligible students are able to reduce the financial burden of college, start classes sooner, and finish their programs faster while focusing on achieving their goals.
Accreditations
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the U.S.
Why National University?
We’re proud to be a Veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners.
Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 250,000 alumni worldwide.
“As a student in this program, I feel like I’ve gained some really solid footing in certain areas like assessments, frameworks, leadership skills, and understanding the ‘why’ behind things. Having this master’s will give me the expertise to make my decisions even more powerful.”
Sarah Wood,
MA in SEL Student
What makes a degree
with National University unique?
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Individual student and alumni career guidance, professional development opportunities, and customized career support.
Transfer Students Welcome
NU makes it easy to get your degree, even if you started it with another university. Learn more about transferring to NU.
Accelerate Your Career With NU
At National University, you’re part of a family. As a student, you’ll have the support of staff, faculty members, students, and alumni who will be there with you every step of the way, cheering you on as you pursue your goals.
Our network of 250,000 alumni is a large global community that provides our graduates with the professional connections to get a leg up in your new career.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the field of Social Emotional Learning is new, there is a growing job market across industries and a wide breadth of career outcomes, especially in the education sector. NU’s SEL graduate students range from traditional educators looking to strengthen their educational experience to professionals looking to switch careers.
SEL is traditionally associated with K-12 education. However, many different organizations are looking to incorporate SEL roles into their workforces, so you have flexibility to go beyond a traditional educator role if you choose. These are some of the industries that are rapidly expanding:
- Healthcare
- Early childhood education
- Higher education
- Business administration
- Human resources
Learn more about the benefits of SEL or about becoming a social emotional learning specialist on our blog.
A MA-SEL degree is beneficial for a number of growing fields, including:
- Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School and High school teachers
- Special education teachers
- Teaching assistants
- K-12 administrators
- School guidance counselors
- School/child social workers
- Coaches
- Recreation workers and camp counselors
Yes. The Master’s in Social Emotional Learning is fully online and can be completed in about ten months. You can study from anywhere, work at your own pace, and fit classes around your job or personal life. Online learning gives you 24/7 access to learning materials and lets you connect with classmates and teachers digitally.
Additional Resources
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements on a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.
Disclaimer
*Positions may require additional experience, training, and other factors beyond successfully completing this degree program. Depending on where you reside, many positions may also require state licensure, and it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all licensure requirements are met. We encourage you to also review program-specific requirements with an NU advisor. Any data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee that completion of any degree program will achieve the underlying occupation or commensurate salary.
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