students in a classroom with their teacher

School Health Education Pre K-12 (MSEd)

Interested in being a health educator in school? Then, our programs may be for you!

Build knowledge to promote student wellness and healthy school communities

Our School Health Education (Pre K-12) MSEd programs provide professional preparation for the field of health education and focuses on skills for the education and promotion of health and strategies for enhancing and encouraging change toward positive health behaviors.

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Delivery mode: 100% online

Curriculum

Master the art of teaching through our methods courses and expand your knowledge of health with an array of health content courses.

We offer two options that lead to first initial and professional certification in school health education.

School Health Education Pre K-12 First Initial, MSEd

For individuals seeking their first teaching certification, who are not currently certified, are not currently enrolled in or have not previously completed a college educator preparation program, and want to become a NYS certified school health teacher. Students must have a bachelor’s degree, and we welcome applicants from a variety of majors. As part of your culminating experience, you will complete both a field experience and a student teaching experience on-site at a school in your geographic area. This program leads to both initial and professional NYS certification in School Health Education.

First Initial (MSEd) Curriculum & Learning Outcomes

School Health Education Pre K-12 Professional, MSEd

For individuals who hold (or will soon hold) a NYS initial teaching certification. As part of your culminating experience, you will complete a field experience on-site at a school in your geographic area. This program leads to professional certification in School Health Education.

Professional (MSEd) Curriculum & Learning Outcomes

Program Eligibility

Evidence of having successfully completed (“C” or better) at least two semesters of anatomy and physiology 1 and 2 or one semester of survey of anatomy and physiology.

Application Process

All applicants must complete the multi-step process managed by the Center for Graduate Studies.

Determine your applicant type

Submit application

Request all official transcripts

Review and submit required application materials through the Application Status Portal

International applicants must also submit international materials

Best Consideration Dates
Fall Semester: March 1
Spring Semester: October 1
Summer Semester: March 1
Please note: Currently, School Health Education (PK-12) First Initial is accepting applications for the Fall 2026 & Spring 2027 semesters only.

Complete applications received after the published deadline are welcome and will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
Apply now
Career Outlook
School health educators work in Pre K-12 educational schools. This field is strong for job security due to school health education growing at an above average national growth rate as well as health education identified as an area of high demand in New York State.

Field Experience & Student Teaching

As part of the program, you will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on work where you will have the chance to see how your classroom knowledge can be applied to real-world situations. *

*If you are located outside of New York State, field experience or student teaching placements may be limited or unavailable in some cases, as participation depends on states or districts that can enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). When a placement cannot be found out of state, this can cause you a delay in your time to graduation, and you may need to complete a placement in New York State.