Health Education for Schools and Communities | Springfield

Health Education for Schools and Communities

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
About This Program
Admissions Contact

Rachel Ahlmeyer
Senior Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions and Events
rahlmeyer@springfieldcollege.edu
(413) 748-3383 
Make an appointment 

Are you an International Student?
Please contact intladmissions@springfield.edu 
Make an appointment

Program Contact

Shannon Gifford, EdD
Program Director and Professor
Department of Physical Education and Health Education
sgifford@springfield.edu
(413) 748-3268

Curriculum and Delivery
  • 16-credit certificate
  • Offered 100% online, asynchronous format allows you to complete coursework from anywhere with internet access, and whatever time of day is convenient for you
  • Courses are designed for working professionals
  • Students are encouraged to think critically about real-life issues and apply what they have learned to solve problems in their professions and communities
  • Benefit from state-of-the-art teaching methods and health promotion strategies that will prepare you for the realities facing underserved populations and give you the tools to advance health equity
  • Program curriculum
Start and Duration
  • Start every September (fall semester), January (spring semester), and June (summer semester)
  • Earn a certificate in as little as 2 semesters, or learn at your own pace and earn it in 18 to 24 months
Paying for Your Education
Did You Know?

Coursework completed in this certificate can be used towards the completion of the MEd in Health Promotion and Health Equity at Springfield College

Other Opportunities
Upcoming Events

Tips and Pointers for Applying to Graduate School
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 6 p.m.
Register

Health Promotion Health Equity Virtual Information Session
Thursday, February 6, 2025 at noon
Register

Health Promotion Health Equity Virtual Information Session
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Register

Teacher explaining showing internal organs at the educational dummy manikin at the biology lesson class.

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Health Education for Schools and Communities at Springfield College provides advanced academic study in the fields of school health and community health, and is designed for current health educators, physical educators, and community and public health educators who want to learn best practices for teaching health education. Aspiring school, community, and public health educators will benefit from this certificate as well, as all students in the program learn to apply educational theory, and the latest research to improve teaching skills, implement social and emotional learning, enhance student performance, and/or transition to school leadership roles.

Courses in this program are offered 100% online and provide graduate students and working professionals the skills and training to implement health education and social and emotional education based on state performance indicators and the National Health Education Standards. 

Students obtain a wide range of skills, including how to

  • Examine and evaluate emerging research
  • Create appropriate educational curricula
  • Establish inclusive learning environments for all students 
  • Foster educational partnerships with families and communities
  • Respond to achievement gaps caused by institutional racism and societal inequities

This certificate allows current and aspiring leaders to enact a theory of change to boldly advance equity in schools and communities. This program provides intensive support to educators committed to deepening their knowledge, skills, and dispositions to ameliorate educational inequities in relation to standards-based reform and technological advances, and to employ evidence-based practices.

How to Apply:

Admissions Requirements

  1. Complete the online application: Once your application form is processed you will receive an email with your application portal login credentials and instructions for submitting supplemental materials as listed below.
  2. Transcripts: An official transcript from each college/university you have attended is required. In order to be considered official, transcripts must be received directly from the original source, by email to graduate@springfield.edu or mailed to the college address: 

Springfield College
Office of Graduate Admissions
263 Alden Street
Springfield, MA 01109

International Applicants

  • $100 non-refundable International Application fee

In addition to the above admissions requirements, all international applicants from non-English-speaking countries are required to submit:

  • Proof of English language proficiency by way of the TOEFL or IELTS: Other tests may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please refer to our language requirements for more information on acceptable tests, minimum scores, exemptions, and conditional acceptance. If your undergraduate degree was earned in the United States and you successfully completed college-level English, we will consider English language proficiency met.
  • Please note: Transcripts must be in English. If the transcript is not in English you will be required to submit a professional credential evaluation completed by any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For this we recommend SpanTran, with its customized portal for Springfield College applicants. World Education Services or Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. are also recommended for your credential evaluations.

The Office of International Admissions can assist you with questions you may have about enrolling at Springfield College as an international student by emailing intladmissions@springfieldcollege.edu.

Application Deadlines

Domestic Students:

  • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as space is available.

International Students:

Fall

  • Application and Supporting Materials Deadline: May 1

Spring

  • Application and Supporting Materials Deadline: October 1

Summer

  • Application and Supporting Materials Deadline: February 1