Urban Teaching

Brian M. McCadden, Ph.D., Program Director
Harkins Hall 217
401.865.2247

The Graduate Studies Program in Urban Teaching focuses on assisting the teacher in urban school settings in developing the skills needed for long-range success in the classroom. The program focuses on improving participants’ understanding of urban learning environments and improving their instructional skills in working with urban youth.  The program follows a cohort model and can be completed in one academic year and two summers; however, participants are not required to complete the program in this time frame. Participants in the cohort must hold an active teaching certificate and will ideally have completed at least one year of full-time teaching in a high-need urban school prior to beginning the program. The program does not lead directly to certification; instead, it assists the participant in maintaining his or her current certification and can be used as a launchpad for advanced certification.

The Sequence  

The following courses are required in the master’s program in Urban Teaching:

• EDU 661 - Culturally Competent Teaching
   
• EDU 662 - Differentiating Instruction for Diverse Urban Learners
   
• EDU 663 - Seminar: Increasing Urban Student Success in the PK-12 Classroom and Beyond
   
• EDU 664 - Capstone: Successful Urban Education
   
• EDU 847 - Action Research
   

(Fifteen credit hours of electives must also be chosen for a total of 30 credit hours)

Regarding electives: In consultation with the Program Director, participants will identify a focus area that will help them achieve their personal and professional development goals. 

Focus areas consist of 5 courses designed around a coherent theme. Courses may be selected from any of our existing graduate education course offerings in Administration, Counseling, Literacy, Middle School, and Special Education.   Additional or different cognate courses may be substituted for the above with the Program Director’s approval.  The Program Director particularly recommends that participants choose from among the following courses:

• EDU 512 - School-Community Relations
   
• EDU 645 - Families in Crisis
   
• EDU 738 - Implementing Mediation and Conflict Resolution into the School Culture
   
• EDU 753 - Curriculum and Methods for Content ESL Education
   
• EDU 758 - Multicultural Education in the American School System
   
• EDU 811 - Special Education for Children from Diverse Backgrounds