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.

Urban Teaching Residency Core Requirements 

Core Requirements
EDTF 5300A
EDTF 5300B
Contemp Issues Urban Ed
and Contemp Issues Urban Ed
1-2
EDTF 5150Child Development1
EDTF 5240School & Society Seminar1
EDTF 5210Foundations Special Educ0-1
EDTF 6190Research Seminar1
EDTF 7050Urban Education Capstone Writing Seminar1
Electives2
Concentration Requirements *
*

Complete requirements from a Concentration.

Urban Education

Select any two electives (approved by program)2

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.


Select a an area of study to supplement the Urban Teaching Residency Core Requirements:

Elementary

Elementary (General)
EDTF 5030Methods: Elementary A1
EDTF 5310Methods: Elementary B1
EDTF 6010Methods: Advanced Elementary1

World Languages

EDTF 5080Methods: World Languages A1
EDTF 5350Methods: World Languages B1
EDTF 6060Methods: Advanced World Languages1

English Middle Years

EDTF 5040Methods: Middle Years A1
EDTF 5320Methods: Middle Years B1
EDTF 6040Methods: Advanced English1

English Secondary

EDTF 5050Methods: English A (Middle Level and Secondary)1
EDTF 5330Methods: English B1
EDTF 6040Methods: Advanced English1

Mathematics Middle Years

EDTF 5040Methods: Middle Years A1
EDTF 5320Methods: Middle Years B1
EDTF 6180Methods: Advanced Mathematics1

Mathematics Secondary

EDTF 5200Methods: Mathematics A1
EDTF 5360Methods: Mathematics B1
EDTF 6180Methods: Advanced Mathematics1

Sciences Middle Years

EDTF 5040Methods: Middle Years A1
EDTF 5320Methods: Middle Years B1
EDTF 6050Methods: Advanced Science1

General Sciences

EDTF 5060Methods: Science A1
EDTF 5340Methods: Science B1
EDTF 6050Methods: Advanced Science1

Biology

EDTF 5060Methods: Science A1
EDTF 5340Methods: Science B1
EDTF 6050Methods: Advanced Science1

Physics

EDTF 5130Methods: 7-12 Science (Physics)1
EDTF 5130Methods: 7-12 Science (Physics)1
EDTF 6050Methods: Advanced Science1

Chemistry

EDTF 5120Methods: 7-12 Science (Chemistry)1
EDTF 5120Methods: 7-12 Science (Chemistry)1
EDTF 6050Methods: Advanced Science1

Social Studies Secondary 

Methods: Social Studies B1
Methods: Advanced Social Studies1
Methods: Social Studies A1
Select 2 Electives:2
Urban Education Capstone Writing Seminar
Research Seminar
Foundations Special Educ
School & Society Seminar
Child Development
Contemporary Issues in Urban Education

Social Studies Middle Years

Methods: Social Studies A1
Methods: Social Studies B1
Methods: Advanced Social Studies1
Select 2 CU of Electives:2
Urban Education Capstone Writing Seminar
Research Seminar
Foundations Special Educ
School & Society Seminar
Child Development
Contemporary Issues in Urban Education

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 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-4th 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-8th or a 7th-12th 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-8th grade)
  • Secondary Special Education (7th-12th 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.

Required Courses:

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCourse Units
EDTF 7020 Special Education Law & Processes 1
EDTF 7030 Educating Students with Disabilities - Part I 1
Select 1 Content Area Methods I Course 1
 Course Units3.00
Spring
EDTF 5270 Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Interventions 1
EDTF 7010 Educating Students with Disabilities - Part II 1
Select 1 Content Area Methods II Course 1
 Course Units3.00
Second Year
Summer
EDTF 5290 Language and Literacy Acquisition 1
 Course Units1.00
Fall
EDTF 5150 Child Development 1
EDTF 5240 School & Society Seminar 1
EDTF 7040 Special Education Capstone - Part I 0
 Course Units2.00
Spring
EDTF 7060 Special Education Capstone - Part II 0
VAST Life Program*  
MSEd Distribution Course 1 1
 Course Units1.00
 Total Course Units10.00

*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 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.


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-8th or a 7th-12th 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.

Core Requirements
EDTF 7020Special Education Law & Processes1
EDTF 7030Educating Students with Disabilities - Part I1
EDTF 7010Educating Students with Disabilities - Part II1
EDTF 5270Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Interventions1
EDTF 5290Language and Literacy Acquisition1
EDTF 5240School & Society Seminar1
EDTF 5150Child Development1
EDTF 7040Special Education Capstone - Part I0-1
EDTF 7060Special Education Capstone - Part II0-1
VAST LIFE
Elective (1)
Specializations
Select one specialization below and complete the requirements:
Elementary
EDTF 5030
EDTF 5310
Methods: Elementary A
and Methods: Elementary B
World Languages
EDTF 5080
EDTF 5350
Methods: World Languages A
and Methods: World Languages B
English Middle Years
EDTF 5040
EDTF 5320
Methods: Middle Years A
and Methods: Middle Years B
English Seconardy
EDTF 5050
EDTF 5330
Methods: English A (Middle Level and Secondary)
and Methods: English B
Mathematics Middle Years
EDTF 5040
EDTF 5320
Methods: Middle Years A
and Methods: Middle Years B
Mathematics Secondary
EDTF 5200
EDTF 5360
Methods: Mathematics A
and Methods: Mathematics B
Sciences Middle Years
EDTF 5040
EDTF 5320
Methods: Middle Years A
and Methods: Middle Years B
General Sciences
EDTF 5060
EDTF 5340
Methods: Science A
and Methods: Science B
Biology
EDTF 5060
EDTF 5340
Methods: Science A
and Methods: Science B
Physics
EDTF 5130
5130
Methods: 7-12 Science (Physics)
and Methods: 7-12 Science (Physics)
Chemistry
EDTF 5120
5120
Methods: 7-12 Science (Chemistry)
and Methods: 7-12 Science (Chemistry)

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.