Nuria Alonso García, Ph.D., Program Director
Sullivan Hall 213
401.865.2048
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 as little as 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:
(Fifteen credit hours of electives must also be chosen for a total of 30 credit hours; electives will total 18 credit hours if students select Option 2, below)
Regarding electives, students fulfill this requirement by completing one of the following three Concentration Options:
Concentration Option 1: Individualized Program (15 credit hours)
Students design a 5-course concentration area in consultation with the program director. Courses may be selected from any of our existing graduate offerings in Administration, Counseling, Literacy, and Special Education. Courses from graduate Business, History, Mathematics, or Theology may be taken with the appropriate Program Director’s approval.
Concentration Option 2: Joint Teacher Certification Program (18 credit hours)
Students who are not currently certified as secondary education (7-12) teachers but wish to gain that certification through the Urban Teaching Program may select this option. This option consists of 6 graduate teacher certification courses, plus a student teaching experience that does not count towards the graduate program. Please see the Teacher Certification program Web site for more information.
Concentration Option 3: ESP/TESOL Program (15 credit hours)
Students who are currently certified teachers may choose the ESL/TESOL option, which consists of three ESL courses and two individualized electives. These courses will provide teachers with a focused, thorough exploration of ESL content and methods.
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