Masters in Urban Education
The Master of Arts in Urban Education, Teaching and Learning in Urban Schools is designed as professional development for teachers who have at least one full year of experience teaching in a K-12 classroom. Candidates select a specialization as part of their professional development, taking three courses in their chosen area. All courses are given after school hours. Courses are taught by NJCU faculty in the College of Education and College of Arts and Sciences who are knowledgeable about their subject areas, as well as the real conditions and challenges of schools.
The program consists of two phases:
- Phase I (30 credits) coursework addresses multicultural education, curriculum, instruction, special education, and social foundations of education. Nine credits of coursework in Phase I consist of electives, selected by the candidate with advice of the coordinator.
- Phase II (6 credits) is a year-long sequence in which teachers learn how to do research in their own classrooms and complete a small scale study as the culminating project in the degree.
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THIS DEGREE PROGRAM ARE:
- Candidates are admitted to graduate study and have an initial advising session with the coordinator.
- Candidates must currently be teaching and have at least one year of teaching experience.
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF THIS DEGREE TRACK ARE:
- Completion of Phase I coursework
- Completion of Phase II coursework
Minimum Grade Requirements
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 is required for degree completion.
Total Credit Hours: 36
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Phase I 1 | ||
Curriculum and Instruction | ||
| Elective Courses 2 | 9 | |
| EDU 692 | Urban Curriculum I | 3 |
| LTED/MCC 635 | Effective Literacy Teaching for English Language Learners (or advised elective) | 3 |
| MCC 608 | Language Culture and Communication | 3 |
| SPEC 640 | Emotional and Behavior Disorders in Children and Youth (or advised elective to address inclusion of special needs students in the regular classroom) | 3 |
| EDU 616 | Innovations in Teaching in the Urban Setting I 3 | 3 |
| EDU 618 | Innovations in Teaching in the Urban Setting II 4 | 3 |
Social Foundations of Education | ||
| EDU 632 | Teachers' Work 5 | 3 |
| or EDU 615 | ||
| Phase II 6 | ||
| EDU 630 | Doing Teacher - Research 7 | 3 |
| EDU 631 | Teacher - Research Seminar 8 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
Initial advising session required for matriculation. Phase I coursework taken in sequence determined by student and advisor. Courses assume that candidates are currently teaching and have at least one year of teaching experience.
- 2
Selected in initial advising session from graduate coursework in math, special education, educational technology, literacy, second-language learning, English language arts, visual arts, modern language, early childhood education, and education leadership.
- 3
Offered in Fall of odd years
- 4
Offered Spring of odd years
- 5
Given only online and satisfies the technology requirement for the degree. Both courses may be taken; one will be used in Phase I.
- 6
Prerequisite is completion of Phase I and matriculation
- 7
Fall only
- 8
Spring only - EDU 630 is a prerequisite
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
| EDU 616 | Innovations in Teaching in the Urban Setting I | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| EDU 618 | Innovations in Teaching in the Urban Setting II | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer 1 | ||
| EDU 692 | Urban Curriculum I | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| MCC 608 | Language Culture and Communication | 3 |
| Elective Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| LTED 635/MCC 635 (or advised elective in Literacy Education) | 3 | |
| SPEC 640 | Emotional and Behavior Disorders in Children and Youth (or advised elective to address inclusion of special needs students in the regular classroom) | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| EDU 632 or EDU 615 | Teachers' Work or | 3 |
| EDU 630 | Doing Teacher - Research | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| EDU 631 | Teacher - Research Seminar | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the MA in Urban Education: Teaching and Learning in Urban Schools program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to implement culturally responsive instructional methods to promote the learning of P12 urban students.
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding on the effects of race, class, gender, language, socio-economic status and politics in education of urban students and in the work of teachers.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills to create curricula that draws from the principles of multiculturalism and culturally responsive teaching to enable productive, meaningful, and affirmative learning experiences for P12 students of diverse backgrounds.
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to critically analyze contemporary issues in education and how teachers can address these issues with the aim of advancing inclusive and affirmative learning experiences and classroom environments for their students.
- Design and conduct a research study that addresses the educative experiences of P12 students, teachers' work, and the advancement of inclusive and affirmative learning contexts.