The School of Education is not accepting or admitting new students into the Urban Education Certificate program for the academic year 2025-2026.
The 18-credit Graduate Certificate in Urban Education prepares students to work in a variety of capacities serving urban students. It offers three tracks depending on the student’s focus: pedagogy, partnerships, or policy. All students take a core three-course sequence focused on
- understanding the characteristics of urban areas and school systems, and
- learning a core set of theories around learning, leadership and partnerships.
Program Requirements
The program offers three tracks depending on the student’s focus: pedagogy, partnerships, or policy. Students in each track take the same three core courses. Each track also includes two specialized courses. Finally, students take one research course. [Note: This course counts towards the core coursework in the Master of Science (MS) in Education with a concentration in Educational Studies (Individualized Interdisciplinary Program of Study option) for students seeking to apply Urban Education certificate towards the MS degree program.] Courses are generally offered online, although sections may be offered at the Baltimore Homewood campus if there is sufficient demand. Students can begin the program in any semester.
Program Plan
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| ED.880.611 | The Social Context of Urban Education | 3 |
| ED.880.613 | Teaching, Learning and Leadership for Successful Urban Schools | 3 |
| ED.851.630 | School, Family, and Community Collaboration for School Improvement I | 3 |
| Tracks | ||
| Select one of the following tracks: | 6 | |
| Pedagogy Track | ||
| Educating the Whole Child: Teaching to the Developmental Needs of the Urban Child | ||
| Culturally Responsive Teaching | ||
| Partnership Track | ||
| School, Family, and Community Collaboration for School Improvement II | ||
| Urban School Reform | ||
| Policy Track | ||
| Politics of Education | ||
| Urban School Reform | ||
| Research Course | ||
| ED.881.611 | Action Research for School Improvement | 3 |
| or ED.880.624 | Evaluation and Research in Education | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Learning Outcomes
Through course activities and individual preparation, participants will demonstrate an understanding of and competencies in:
- Understanding the interrelationships of race, class and culture in urban classrooms.
- Communicating effectively within the school and parent community.
- Engaging community resources to enhance learning experiences.
- Building leadership capacity within the school setting.
- Linking school and classroom practices with systemic initiatives.
- Understanding the implications of recent research about urban school reform.