The integrated bachelor’s and Master of Arts in Teaching program in the Urban Education program is designed for students who have a particular interest in learning about and teaching in the dynamic environment of urban schools. This program builds on the conceptual framework of the school, which prides itself on creating “agents of change”. The Urban Education Option in Elementary or Early Childhood Education program provides ways of thinking about teaching practices through both theory and practice. Students will engage with a wide variety of theoretical perspectives as well as engage in meaningful field based teaching experiences beginning almost immediately upon arriving on campus. The College of New Jersey Urban Education Master’s program is seeking candidates who truly possess a commitment to the academic achievement of students in urban schools. Candidates for this program must possess a desire to engage in high quality scholarship and teaching as well as the disposition to build trusting relationships with urban schools in New Jersey. For admission to the program, students must apply to The College of New Jersey and select Urban Education as their major. They must also take a second major. Suggested second majors are: biology, English, history, iSTEM, mathematics, Spanish, and Women’s & Gender Studies.
Program Goals
- Support understanding of child and adolescent development and how to incorporate that knowledge into classroom practice
- Build knowledge and understanding about how diversity of language and culture create a valuable classroom context to enhance children’s ability to express resiliency
- Support high quality and effective teaching through providing a strong background in content that capitalizes on the richness of urban experiences
- Collaboratively develop a wide range of instructional strategies for urban schools
- Encourage interdisciplinary work in order to understand the complex systemic issues surrounding all 21st century schools
- To produce and graduate teachers who can make a difference for urban school children
- To produce research that identifies the tested theories, resources, best practices and skill sets these teachers need to succeed in that goal.