Urban Teaching Residency, MSEd

Urban Teaching Residency Program (UTRP)

The Urban Teaching Residency program provides solid academic training and professional mentoring necessary to create effective urban educators. The curriculum is set around four core principles: unwavering focus on children; teacher inquiry and reflection; broad understanding of education and commitment to equity and social justice. The program began as a partnership of Penn GSE, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the Teach For America Greater Philadelphia Region.

To meet the needs of people working full time, the Urban Teaching Residency program is an executive-style format program with a hybrid of online and in-person coursework.

Our program offers two tracks. One with Pennsylvania certification (Every Teacher Certified, or ETC) and one without (Urban Professionals Program, or UPP).

Every Teacher Certified Options:

1. M.S.Ed. in Urban Education with PA Instructional I certification  

   • The M.S.Ed. in Urban Education with recommendation for the Instructional Level I Certification allows you to work towards a Pennsylvania teaching certification while simultaneously completing coursework required to earn a master’s degree in education.

2. M.S.Ed. in Urban Education with dual certification in PA Instructional I and special education 

   • The M.S.Ed. in Urban Education with recommendation for the Instructional Level I Certification and K-12 Special Education Certification allows you to work towards a PA content-area certification and certification in Special Education in two years. You must opt into this track by the first semester of your first year.

3. Certification Only – General Education or Special Education 

   • General Education Certification Only is for students who are entering the program through one of our educational and school partners.

4. Special Education Certification Only is for teachers who are already certified in a general education track.

Urban Professionals Program track

M.S.Ed. in Urban Education

The M.S.Ed in Urban Education is designed for teachers, researchers, educators, and community advocates who are interested in the distinct needs of children and families in high-needs contexts. It explores issues related to equity, access, institutional and school-level policy, as well as the needs of children living in poverty. Drawing from critical and sociocultural perspectives, the M.S.Ed in Urban Education considers how communities, schools, and policy intersect to impact families in high-needs schools.

For more information: https://utrp.gse.upenn.edu

Urban Teaching Residency Core Requirements 

*

Complete requirements from a Concentration.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Select a concentration to supplement the Urban Teaching Residency Core Requirements.

Elementary

World Languages

English Middle Years

English Secondary

Mathematics Middle Years

Mathematics Secondary

Sciences Middle Years

General Sciences

Biology

Physics

Chemistry

Special Education K-12 

Urban Education

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Every Teacher Certified (ETC) M.S.Ed. with Certification

Certification tracks are assigned based on the content area and grade level placement in which you work in your school. Our program ensures that your coursework and mentoring aligns with requirements for earning teaching certification.

General Education Tracks:

• Pre-K-4^th grade
• Middle Years with concentration in
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • English
• Secondary Mathematics
• Secondary English
• Secondary General Science
• Secondary Physics
• Secondary Biology
• Secondary Chemistry
• Secondary World Languages

For more information: https://utrp.gse.upenn.edu/program/certification

Required Courses

¹

 Consult with Program for choices.

Required Milestone

Comprehensive Examination (or Portfolio or Thesis) 

Master’s degree candidates must demonstrate thorough knowledge of the field of specialization by passing a comprehensive examination in their area of study. The examination/portfolio/thesis serves an educational and evaluative purpose through which students are expected to review and integrate what they have learned in their coursework and fieldwork. Comprehensive formats vary.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Every Teacher Certified (ETC) M.S.Ed. with Dual Certification

M.S.Ed. in Urban Education with dual certification in PA Instructional I and Special Education

Certification tracks are assigned based on the content area and grade level placement in which you work in your school. Our program ensures that your coursework and mentoring aligns with requirements for earning teaching certification.

General Education Tracks

• Pre-K-4^th grade
• Middle Years with concentration in
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • English
• Secondary Mathematics
• Secondary English
• Secondary General Science
• Secondary Physics
• Secondary Biology
• Secondary Chemistry
• Secondary World Languages

Special Education (Dual) Certification

Along with a general education certification, individuals working in special education classrooms may have the opportunity to earn either a Pre-K-8^th or a 7^th-12^th grade special education certification through our dual certification program. A stand-alone special education certification is not an option in the State of Pennsylvania.

Dual certification requires completion of one of the General Education certification tracks above combined with either:

• Elementary Special Education (Pre-K-8^th grade)
• Secondary Special Education (7^th-12^th grade)

Teachers who have earned PA certification and wish to add the special education certification can enroll in the Special Education Certification only track, which is a 5-course, 1-year hybrid model.

For more information: https://utrp.gse.upenn.edu/program/certification

Required Courses:

*VAST LIFE is a program through the Urban Teaching Residency Program designed to provide students ages 14-21 the opportunity to have community based experiences, transitional assessments and lessons, and cultural events in the great city of Philadelphia customized for them by graduate students who are seeking Masters of Education and Special Education Certification in the Commonwealth.

¹

 Consult with Program for choices.

Required Milestone

Comprehensive Examination (or Portfolio or Thesis) 

Master’s degree candidates must demonstrate thorough knowledge of the field of specialization by passing a comprehensive examination in their area of study. The examination/portfolio/thesis serves an educational and evaluative purpose through which students are expected to review and integrate what they have learned in their coursework and fieldwork. Comprehensive formats vary.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Every Teacher Certified (ETC) Certification Only

Certification Only – General Education or Special Education

Certification tracks are assigned based on the content area and grade level placement in which you work in your school. Our program ensures that your coursework and mentoring aligns with requirements for earning teaching certification.

General Education Certification Tracks

• Pre-K-4^th grade
• Middle Years with concentration in
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • English
• Secondary Mathematics
• Secondary English
• Secondary General Science
• Secondary Physics
• Secondary Biology
• Secondary Chemistry
• Secondary World Languages

Required Courses

Special Education (Dual) Certification

Along with a general education certification, individuals working in special education classrooms may have the opportunity to earn either a Pre-K-8^th or a 7^th-12^th grade special education certification through our dual certification program. A stand-alone special education certification is not an option in the State of Pennsylvania.

Dual certification requires completion of one of the General Education certification tracks above combined with either:

• Elementary Special Education (Pre-K-8^th grade)
• Secondary Special Education (7^th-12^th grade)

Teachers who have earned PA certification and wish to add the special education certification can enroll in the Special Education Certification only track, which is a 5-course, 1-year hybrid model.

Special Education Only Certification

For educators already holding a general education certification that would like to obtain a Special Education certification. Students may choose to earn either a Pre-K-8^th or a 7^th-12^th grade special education certification. A stand-alone special education certification is not an option in the State of Pennsylvania. This is a one-year, online hybrid program.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

Urban Professionals Program (UPP) M.S.Ed. in Urban Education

The M.S.Ed in Urban Education is designed for teachers, researchers, educators, and community advocates who are interested in the distinct needs of children and families in high-needs contexts. It explores issues related to equity, access, institutional and school-level policy, as well as the needs of children living in poverty. Drawing from critical and sociocultural perspectives, the M.S.Ed in Urban Education considers how communities, schools, and policy intersect to impact families in high-needs schools.

For more information: https://utrp.gse.upenn.edu/program/msed

¹

 Consult with Program for choices.

Required Milestone

Comprehensive Examination (or Portfolio or Thesis) 

Master’s degree candidates must demonstrate thorough knowledge of the field of specialization by passing a comprehensive examination in their area of study. The examination/portfolio/thesis serves an educational and evaluative purpose through which students are expected to review and integrate what they have learned in their coursework and fieldwork. Comprehensive formats vary.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.