urban education minor

The requirements mentioned on this page refer to students who declare the minor beginning in Fall 2005.

The crisis in American education continues to confound major sectors of American life. National attention has engaged various constituencies -- non-profit business organizations, local, state and federal governments, teachers' unions, and universities -- in trying to understand and improve public education. At Penn, students and faculty have become deeply involved in local schools through community service, research and academically based community service.

In response to student interest in community and education issues, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School of Education sponsor an interdisciplinary minor in Urban Education. This seven course undergraduate minor offers students a unique opportunity to bridge learning between the classroom and community, and features:

Academically based community service in local schools
Deeper understanding of the complex factors affecting urban education
Field-based research in your major or other area of interest
Hands-on opportunity to investigate a career in education
Credit toward Pennsylvania teacher certification requirements

The minor is open to undergraduates in all disciplines. Students choose from among three concentrations depending on interest in pursuing teaching certification or deepening one's background in urban education policy: Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Urban Education Policy, Research, and Practice.* Students in all three concentrations take three core courses. The additional four requirements vary depending on the concentration.

To complete requirements for certification in either the elementary or secondary track, students typically will take a 9th semester.

*Students may also count courses taken as an undergraduate toward submatriculation into the elementary or secondary master's program at the Graduate School of Education.

For additional information about the Urban Education Minor please contact:

NancyLee Bergey
Teacher Education Program
Graduate School of Education
3700 Walnut Street
Philadelphia , PA 19104-6216
215-573-4026 nancylee@gse.upenn.edu