COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Learn more about the Master of Education in Urban Education and Policy.
About the Program
The MEd in Urban Education and Policy with concentrations in "Schools and Communities" and "Public Policy" is intended for early and mid-career individuals working in education, community development, non-profits, government, policy, and other relevant fields. The program aims to create networks of civically minded researchers and practitioners who have the skills and knowledge to increase educational opportunities for urban students and communities.
Our courses bring multiple perspectives to the study of urban schooling. Faculty and students work together to understand the context of urban education, especially the social, economic, political, and historical factors that shape city classrooms, schools, and communities. We view urban schools and communities as dynamic spaces, sites of challenges, and storehouses of assets. Students will work in partnership with local organizations as a part of their coursework.
Time Limit for Degree Completion: 5 years
Campus Location: Main
Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.
Areas of Specialization: Students are required to select and complete courses in one of the following concentrations:
- Schools and Communities, which takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of urban education and includes courses on program evaluation and trauma-informed education.
- Public Policy, which focuses on policy design and implementation and includes courses on the economics of education and quantitative analysis.
Job Prospects:The MEd degree in Urban Education and Policy helps current educators, school and community leaders, non-profit professionals and professionals in government and other policy-making spaces enhance their skills and knowledge and advance in their fields. It also prepares students for careers in policy, government, educational research, youth advocacy, as well as leadership roles in non-profit and community organizations.
Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Students may take up to, but not more than, 9 credits of graduate study in the program before being admitted to the program. The credits transfer into the program, if the student is admitted. Students completing non-matriculated courses before being admitted to the program are NOT guaranteed admission.
Financing Opportunities: Financial support opportunities may include scholarships, tuition remission, and other financial aid such as grants, loans and federal work study.
Admission Requirements and Deadlines
Application Deadline:
Fall: Rolling
Spring: Rolling
Applicants should submit all required admissions documents by the application deadline to receive priority consideration for admission and financial support.
APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.
Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 2
From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained to provide insight regarding the applicant's academic competence. References from college/university faculty are recommended.
Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A bachelor's degree is required. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is expected.
Transcripts: Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts from all accredited institutions attended and/or from which credit was earned must be submitted.
International applicants must also submit an official document, including a course-by-course evaluation conducted by a NACES-accredited organization, that validates completion and conferral of a degree, diploma and/or certificate. While not required, international applicants are encouraged to submit transcript(s) to World Education Services (WES) for evaluation.
Statement of Goals: In 500 to 1,000 words, outline your interest in seeking a master's degree with a specific focus on the career to which you aspire, your interests, and your academic and job-related experiences that are relevant to the program.
Standardized Test Scores:
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master's degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:
- TOEFL iBT: 79
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- PTE Academic: 53
Resume: Current resume required.
Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 30
Required Courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| URBE 5401 | Policy and Practice in Urban Education | 3 |
| URBE 5565 | The Origins of Urban Education | 3 |
| URBE 5516 | School-Community Partnerships in Urban Settings | 3 |
| URBE 5611 | Reforming City Schools | 3 |
| URBE 5417 | The Urban Environment | 3 |
| Concentration Courses 2 | 12 | |
| Schools and Communities | ||
| Critical Understanding of Social Science Research 1 | ||
| Development and Learning Over the Lifespan | ||
| Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care | ||
Elective 2 | ||
| Public Policy | ||
| Quantitative Analysis, Part I | ||
| Quantitative Analysis, Part II | ||
| Economics of Education | ||
Elective 3 | ||
| Capstone Project | ||
| URBE 5630 | Special Seminar in Urban Education | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Contacts
Department Information:
Dept. of Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies
College of Education and Human Development
1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6091
215-204-0999
Submission Address for Application Materials:
Department Contacts:
Policy, Organizational and Leadership Studies Department Chair:
Dr. Christopher W. McGinley
Professor of Practice in Educational Leadership