Academy for SSSE in Schools
Earn a Certificate in Instruction for Student Success Skills Education: An Instructor's Guide to Building a Student's Social Emotional and Character Competence.
Advance your ability to teach and support the whole student.
The Certificate in Student Success Skills in Education (SSSE), offered through Rutgers University’s Department of Psychology in partnership with Saint Elizabeth University, is a fully online professional development program designed for educators, school staff, counselors, and after-school professionals.
This non-credit certificate helps you gain the skills to promote student success, resilience, and civic participation in classrooms and beyond.
Why Choose SSSE?
- 100% online, flexible learning with live discussions
- Practical, research-based strategies you can apply immediately
- Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for professional development
- Join a supportive professional learning community
Program Options
Tracks
- General Track (3 courses): Foundations, Pedagogy & Practice, Practicum
- Accelerated Track (2 courses): Designed for professionals with 5+ years of SECD experience (application required)
Focused Programs
- Discussion Strategies for Civic Participation (DSCP): Teach students respectful debate and civic engagement skills
- SEL Lab: Learn to provide targeted, 1:1 or small-group support for students who need additional practice
Tuition at a Glance
- General Track: $313–$469 per course
- Accelerated Track: $453–$469 per course
- Focused Programs: $313–$334 per course
View Tuition & Payment Details
Upcoming Courses
- Brick By Brick, Nov. 15, 2025, Learn More
- Practicum (103), Sept. 3 – Dec. 20, 2025, Learn More
Testimonials
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"I think the 3-course program provides an excellent background in SECD and then allows us the opportunity to put what we learn into practice. I think it is important to learn first about ourselves, as this really helps us to be able to work more effectively with our students. I like the Canvas format much better than the first format that we were using in the earlier courses. I also like the Zoom app. for our live chats and found it more user-friendly than Google app." |
"I found the connection with like minded professionals to be very helpful and important in my learning process. It made the experience more real and allowed for me to feel connected and supported. At the same time I found the guidance and encouragement from my instructors to be most helpful as well. It is a resource on which I can bank on at any given time. I just need to draw upon their supportive words and encouraging smiles!" |
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"To me the chats were the most valuable thing about the course. The chats opened an all together new discussion and learning paradigm. It opened our minds to things happening elsewhere in the field of education and helped connect with kindred educators who believed SEL as an important part of the education process." |
"Working with students while having a support system in place, so I could apply what I learned from what was happening in my classmates' classes into my own." |
Quick Links
- How to Apply & Register
- FAQs
- About Us
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Who
This unique program offers all educational staff, school mental health professionals, and those working in after-school programs the opportunity to learn how to create spaces where all students learn the skills they need for success in school and life, and where support and kindness are norms and everyone can thrive.
What
The Certificate in Student Success Skills Education offers two tracks: the General Track Program and the Accelerated Track Program. The General Track consists of 3 courses and the Accelerated (Advanced) Program consists of 2 courses. The Accelerated Program is an advanced program for those professionals who have been teaching social-emotional skills and character directly to students for 5+ years. The Accelerated program requires an application process for review / acceptance.
Ready to Build?
When you think about what makes a great school, it’s a place of caring and belonging for everyone who is part of it. That can feel like a distant goal. But what if it isn’t? What if you can create spaces where all students learn the skills they need for success in school and life, where support and kindness are norms and everyone can thrive? The Certificate in Student Success Skills Education—An Instructor’s Guide to Building Students’ Social-Emotional and Character Competencies gives you the building blocks to bring essential skills to ALL of your students today. Who better than you to take the lead?
There is an urgent need…
Schools everywhere are struggling to meet the social and emotional needs of their students and families. To face the challenges at hand, we urgently need to focus on supporting students’ wellbeing, and making sure our students are ready for the future. The Certificate in Student Success Skills Education—An Instructor’s Guide to Building Students’ Social-Emotional and Character Competencies- puts that change and real results within reach. So, now is the time to make it happen.
SSSE in Action
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Working with students while having a support system in place, so I could apply what I learned from what was happening in my classmates' classes into my own.