This program will launch in spring 2025.

Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness Endorsement of Students in PreK-12

12-credit program

Offered fully online

Foster Resiliency in PreK-12 Students

Beginning in spring 2025, Point Park University's School of Education will offer a 12-credit Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness Endorsement of Students in PreK-12 for teachers and other professionals working in the education field.

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions. Social and emotional skills are critical to being a good student and citizen.

Point Park's endorsement program, approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), provides teachers with the knowledge and pedagogical skills necessary to effectively instruct PreK-12 students using research-based best practices in social emotional learning.

Students in the program will develop an understanding of social, emotional and behavioral wellness to address non-academic barriers to learning to help them foster resiliency in PreK-12 students. This endorsement provides a valuable skillset to teachers who may face challenges in the classroom as they address the ongoing impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on students socially, emotionally and educationally.

Candidates for the Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness Endorsement of Students PreK-12 must have earned a Level I or Level II instructional, supervisory, educational specialist or administrative certificate.

Students can apply for the PDE Endorsement after completing the coursework by submitting an application in PDE's Teacher Information Management System (TIMS).

Courses & Topics

To complete this endorsement, students will take four courses totaling 12 credits:

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Social Emotional Learning and Collaborate School-Based Relationships
Trauma-Informed Practices
Student Practicum Experience in Social Emotional Learning

Data-Informed Coursework Delivered by Experienced Faculty

Point Park's School of Education faculty are uniquely positioned to provide this program as several professors have served as Youth Mental Health First Aid trainers since 2020.

Learn more about how the School of Education has a history of centering social emotional learning concepts in its coursework:

Meet Our Faculty

Christal Edmunds, Ph.D., professor of education

Dr. Edmunds is committed to being a change agent for creating centered, capable and empowered future teachers.

Faculty Bio

Richard Gutkind, Ph.D., professor of education and director of online graduate programs

Prior to Point Park, Gutkind had a 35-year career holding various positions for the Pittsburgh Public Schools including mathematics teacher at two schools, supervisor of a Title I mathematics program and assistant principal at two schools.

Faculty Bio

Vincenne Revilla Beltrán, Ph.D., professor of education

Dr. Revilla Beltrán's areas of specialization include visionary leadership, program planning, self-reflective professional practice, mental health, self-care, adult education and professional development, online and virtual teaching, multicultural education and diversity issues.

Faculty Bio

Arleen Wheat, Ed.D., professor of special education and coordinator of the M.A. and M.Ed. in special education Pre-K through 12th Grade programs

Prior to joining Point Park, Dr. Wheat was assistant superintendent of special education and pupil services for North Allegheny School District.

Faculty Bio

Kamryn York, Ed.D., assistant professor of education and coordinator of the M.Ed. in Athletic Coaching & Administration and M.Ed. with certification in PreK-4 programs

Dr. York has experience teaching Pre-K through sixth grade, leading as a teacher mentor and working as a behavioral specialist serving children with autism and their families.

Faculty Bio