Advanced Studies - Child and Adolescent Health and Wellness

Promote Healthy Student Development and Advance Your Career

More than ever, students need support to maintain their optimal mental health and wellness and promote academic success. John Carroll University’s Master of Education in Child and Adolescent Health and Wellness program gives experienced educators the knowledge and skills to provide this support. This flexible, specialized program builds teachers’ professional knowledge and understanding of student development, while also positioning them for advancement to a higher certification level.

Provide Students with an Extra Layer of Support

Students learn best when their needs are met. Teachers in this program learn how to be an additional resource for students by employing a holistic focus that takes into account student health and well-being along with promoting achievement in the classroom. They also explore issues and environmental obstacles that can interfere with student growth.

Serve the Whole Child

This program prepares teachers to lead student support groups, offer emotional support strategies and interventions, and better recognize student concerns. Students in the program learn how to:

Recognize signs of substance abuse
Apply learning strategies to support student mental health and wellness
Build stronger communication skills
Develop advanced teaching skills to address the whole child.

Gain Exposure to the Field of Counseling

Through required coursework in counseling, this cross-discipline program helps teachers to incorporate counseling concepts and knowledge into their teaching roles to better address student mental health and wellness needs.

Elevate Your Career

The M.Ed. in Child and Adolescent Health and Wellness program requires just 30 hours of course work and those who complete the program qualify for advancement to a more senior Professional License in Ohio.

Post-Pandemic, Students Need More Support

The National Assessment of Educational Progress reported the largest drop in reading scores since 1990 and the first-ever drop in mathematics scores. Additionally, documented increases in mental health issues among young people rose during the pandemic.

Earn More as An Educator

According to the National Council on Teacher Quality, a teacher can earn an additional $10,000 per year or more for holding a master's degree.

Ohio Teachers Among the Nation’s Top Paid

Ohio ranks in the top 5 states for elementary, middle school, and high school teacher salaries. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Pursue Your Education Career Goals

The M.Ed. in Child and Adolescent Health and Wellness program consists of 30 hours of coursework that can be completed in as little as four semesters (including a summer term). It features coursework in education and counseling courses, a specialized sequence of courses, electives, and field work at students’ current teaching site. Students take a comprehensive exam as a capstone experience for the program.

View Program Courses »

John Carroll University is a private, Jesuit Catholic University located in Cleveland with a long tradition of training exceptional educators. JCU proudly welcomes students of all backgrounds.

JCU has been ranked #2 on U.S. News and World Report’s list of Best Regional Universities Midwest and been named a Best College Value by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.

Through the M.Ed. in Child and Adolescent Health and Wellness program, you will have opportunities to network and engage with other education professionals employed in school districts across the region.

A powerful tool for the prevention of substance use amongst children and adolescents is an informed educator. Educators who are well-informed can send a strong message to their students about the harmful effects of drug and alcohol use and support them in achieving academic success that is not interrupted by the disease of addiction.

Dr. Martina Moore,

Coordinator, Substance Use Disorders Concentration

Curriculum Highlights

CG 5514 Addiction Knowledge

Examines substance abuse and its effects on the processes of body and brain. Explores how to screen and assess for substance use disorder, including withdrawal. The course also provides information on the current medical and pharmacological resources used in the treatment of substance use disorders and covers the biopsychosocial, cultural, and spiritual factors related to addiction.

ED 5120 Multicultural Education

Builds the personal and professional development of education and counseling practitioners through the study of sociological, historical, and philosophical scholarship on the cultures, races, and ethnic groups that constitute the diverse student body of American schools. Considerations of racism, sexism, exceptionality, and other diversity issues are applied to various educational, counseling, and agency settings.

Our Alumni Work and Live Here

John Carroll graduates who pursue teaching and education careers work at every level — early childhood, middle childhood, adolescent and young adult — for a range of schools and school districts across Ohio and nationally.

Top field partnerships include:

Cleveland Heights-University Heights, Mayfield Heights, Garfield Heights, Wadsworth, and Beachwood School Districts.
Catholic schools such as the Welsh Academy at St. Ignatius, Holy Trinity (Avon).
Private schools such as Hawken Lower School.