51¶¯Âþ

Urban Education and Policy MEd

Gain the foundational knowledge and skills to make a significant difference in education at the classroom, community or policy level with the Master of Education in Urban Education and Policy in .  

The part-time, 30-credit Urban Education and Policy MEd program is unique because it not only focuses on analyzing and diagnosing challenges facing urban schools, it also provides students with progressive solutions that prepare them to succeed in urban educational environments. Students in the program progress quickly from understanding the challenges in urban education to identifying, planning and executing solutions. This approach includes work on trauma-informed education, community partnerships, integration, funding equity, student-centered high schools, restorative justice, and other policies and practices that have been proven effective. To meet the diverse needs of our students, this master’s program has two concentration options: Public PolicyÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýSchools and Communities.Ìý

What sets apart the Master of Education in Urban Education and Policy at 51¶¯Âþ?

• Professional development: The urban education and policy program is designed for current educators and professionals working in educational, community, advocacy or government settings looking to enhance their approaches to education in urban spaces. Explore career opportunities for students in the program.
• Unique curriculum: Through a set of core courses, students will learn about current issues in urban education, identify assets and resources in schools and communities, view challenges through historical and theoretical perspectives, and explore promising policies and practices.ÌýLearn more about research, centers and institutes at the college that provide hands-on experiences for students.
• Faculty expertise: Students in this interdisciplinary program benefit from working with faculty who have diverse backgrounds, industry expertise and hands-on experience in urban education, as well as networking with educators, policymakers and practitioners in Philadelphia during their studies and after graduation.Ìý

Learning Outcomes

Students in the Urban Education and Policy program will gain the knowledge and skills to successfully 

• collect and use information to guide decisions on programs, policies and practices in urban educational environments; 

• demonstrate awareness of their own positionality with respect to race, gender, ethnicity, social class, etc. and how these shape their work in urban education; 

• engage communities, families and stakeholders as critical partners in the planning and implementation of urban educational programming; and 

• use their deep understanding of the history and the contemporary landscape of urban education and urban contexts to identify and evaluate promising innovations, solutions or strategies to meet the needs and interests of the communities they serve.Ìý

Program Format & Curriculum

The 30-credit Urban Education and Policy MEd program is designed for students to complete at a part-time rate in two years, including one summer session each year—making it ideal for busy working professionals.ÌýStudents can choose between the in-person program offered on 51¶¯Âþ’s Main Campus in the heart of Philadelphia and a virtual program.

All students will take the following core courses.

• Policy and Practice in Urban Education

• Reforming City Schools

• School-Community Partnerships in Urban Settings

• The Origins of Urban Education

• The Urban Environment

Additionally, students in both concentrations will be required to select an elective in consultation with an advisor and complete a capstone project called Special Seminar in Urban Education.Ìý ​

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