Master of Education in Holistic School Health and Well-Being

Program start date: September 2025

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program, applicants must have:

1. Completion of an undergraduate degree with a 70% average in the last 30 credits*. While a Bachelor of Education degree is not required for admission, priority will be given to applicants working within various educational contexts as demonstrated in the statement of intent and CV.

2. Submission of a Statement of Intent, which also acts as a writing sample, outlining their:

1. 1. Reasons for pursuing a program focused on Holistic School Health and Well-Being.
   2. Future goals for promoting Holistic School Health and Well-Being in their educational context.

We understand that knowledge may be demonstrated in a variety of ways. Creative submissions are encouraged and may be components such as visual/creative artwork, orality, video, or a multimedia portfolio.

3. A CV highlighting experience in the following areas:

• Education
• Work experience (a minimum of two years experience in teaching, leadership, or other involvement in education)
• Professional qualifications and accomplishments
• Conferences or Presentations
• Published Research and/or Community Research
• Volunteerism

4. An academic letter of recommendation and a professional letter of recommendation (two professional letters will be permitted on a case-by-case basis).

5. English language proficiency – must meet the minimum requirements established by Cape Breton University, as outlined in the Academic Calendar.

*Equitable admissions policies recognize that there may be challenges and unique circumstances preventing strong applicants from achieving minimum or high-ranking scores in the above area, especially if those applicants are part of historically marginalized groups. We invite applicants to include with their application additional information on any such circumstances for consideration by the admissions committee.

Delivery Type: Online and asynchronous

Program Overview

The Master of Education in Holistic School Health and Well-Being at Cape Breton University is a fully online graduate program designed for educators and professionals seeking to enhance inclusive education, well-being, and sustainability in school communities. Grounded in equity, mental and physical health literacy, and Indigenous perspectives, the program integrates research-based strategies with practical applications to foster healthier learning environments. With flexible course-based, project, and research pathways, graduates will be equipped to lead positive change in schools and beyond.

Program Requirements

Students choose from three program pathways: course-based; project-based; or research-based. The requirements are as follows:

Core – 12 credits

EDUC-6128           Holistic School Well-Being (3cr)

EDUC-6129           Restorative and Trauma-Informed Practice (3cr)

EDUC-6127           Collaboration for Well-Being (3cr)

EDUC-6131            Action Research Methods (3cr)

Additional Research Methods Electives – Students may select from:

EDUC-6115            Research Methods for Education (3cr)

EDUC-6116            Phenomenological Research (3cr)

EDUC-6117             Reflexive Inquiry (3cr)

Electives from:

EDUC-6133          Mental Health Literacy (3cr)

EDUC-6126          Critical Well-Being (3cr)

EDUC-6134         Physical Literacy & Outdoor Ed. (3cr)

EDUC-6135          Leveraging Diversity (3cr)

EDUC-6136         Indigenous Health and Healing (3cr)

EDUC-6107         Nature & Outdoor Learning (3cr)

EDUC-6108         Sustainability, Happiness and Well-Being (3cr)

Culminating Course(s), dependent upon pathway:

EDUC-6137         Holistic School Health and Well-Being Independent Inquiry in Education (3cr)

EDUC-6138         Holistic School Health and Well-Being Project (6cr)

EDUC-6139         Holistic School Health and Well-Being Thesis (12cr)

Duration

The Master of Education in Holistic School Health and Well-Being can be completed as quickly as 2.5 years of study (with a maximum of 7 years to complete – aligning with Teacher Certification requirements). Schedules are flexible, with an online asynchronous format, and designed to accommodate the diverse needs of students.

Progression Regulations

To maintain satisfactory standing in the M.Ed. (HSHWB), graduate students must achieve a passing grade of 70 in each course. Students who fail any course will receive notification from the Registrar’s Office, (copied to the School Dean), that they have been placed on probation. A student who subsequently fails a second course, (including the same course twice), will be notified by the Registrar that they have been dismissed from the program; in progress courses will be dropped, (with WP entered on the transcript), and refund rules applied.

Condition of Graduation

Completion of all required courses and electives, with a final project or thesis depending on pathway (30 credits total).

All students will be expected to maintain a minimum average of 70% in each course to meet graduation requirements.

The thesis will be graded as pass/fail; a “Pass” is required for program completion.

A Pass will be assigned provided the student meets, at minimum, a 70% standard, upon completion of the written thesis and successful oral defense.

Students who demonstrate exemplary work may be awarded a “Pass with Distinction” at the discretion of the thesis committee.