Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Urban Education Specialization, Ph.D.
The Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership with an Urban Education Specialization will develop you as an equity-minded and culturally responsive researcher and educator. You will gain a deeper understanding of the social, economic, historical and political contexts of urban schools and communities.
The field of minority and urban education draws on perspectives from sociology, urban planning, history, political science, education policy and leadership, as well as science, mathematics, and literacy. You will work closely with faculty to develop a program of study that includes courses across these areas and that is tailored to your career goals.
Our courses explore the challenges facing urban school districts and address the complex issues experienced by ethnic, racial, cultural and linguistic minorities in urban schools. You will become part of a diverse community of faculty and students who are committed to advancing education equity and ensuring academic success for all students.
Graduates pursue careers as professors, researchers, education leaders, curriculum specialists, and teacher educators.
Key Features
- Focus on Urban and Minority Education: Explore the complex issues facing urban school districts and communities.
- Interdisciplinary Approach: Take courses from a variety of disciplines, including sociology, urban planning, history, political science, education policy and leadership, science, mathematics and literacy.
- Flexible Program: Develop a personalized study program to meet your career goals
- Impactful Outcomes: Advance education equity to ensure all students achieve academic success.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political contexts impacting urban education and minoritized students.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the educational and sociocultural needs of ethnic, racial, cultural, and language minorities.
- Demonstrate deep knowledge of theoretical frameworks employed in the field of urban education
- Develop expertise in qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research methodologies.
- Apply theoretical frameworks and research methodologies to investigate and improve theory, research, policy, and practice pertaining to urban educational and minoritized students.
- Advocate for racial and social justice and equity in education, contributing to community empowerment.
Information on admissions and application to this program can be found on the University Graduate Admissions website and the program handbook.
On average, our program takes at least three years to complete. Most students admitted to the doctoral program already have a master’s degree. If you have a master’s degree, you will take a minimum of 60 credits. If you do not have a master’s degree, you will take a minimum of 70 credits and work with your advisor to develop an individualized plan that seamlessly blends master’s level and doctoral level coursework.
You are expected to maintain a full-time course load and fully immerse yourself in the academic community. The curriculum consists of the courses listed below.
All full-time students in a Ph.D. program in the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership complete a two-course sequence of core, integrated foundational courses.
- TLPL 794: Foundations of Educational Inquiry I ("Core I")
- TLPL 795: Foundations of Educational Inquiry II ("Core II")
Students complete in-depth study and training in courses tailored to their individual interests and aligned with their chosen specialization area. Students take 12 credits focused on minority and urban education, and an additional 24 credits (eight additional courses that generally take the form of seminars and may include doctoral-level courses offered by other departments in the College of Education).
- TLPL 675: Embracing Diversity in Classroom Communities
- TLPL 774: Urban Education
- TLPL 788E: Professional Seminar in Urban Education
- TLPL 788G: Critical Race Theory
- TLPL 788N: School Exclusion: Policy, Practice and Prevention
- TLPL 788U: Race, Whiteness, and Identity
Students are required to take research methods courses, including one qualitative and one quantitative methods course. Students may take research methods courses offered by the College of Education or other academic departments across campus.
- TLPL765: Quantitative Applications for Education Policy Analysis
- TLPL 788R: Critical Perspectives in Ethnographic Research Methods
- TLPL 788L: Participatory Action Research
- TLPL790 Seminar in Mixed Methods Research in Education
- TLPL 791: Qualitative Research I: Design and Fieldwork
- TLPL 792: Qualitative Research II: Analysis and Interpretation of Data
- TLPL793: Methods of Discourse Analysis
- TLPL860: Seminar on Case Study Methods
For general inquiries regarding admissions, please contact:
Kay Moon
TLPL Graduate Coordinator
kmoon@umd.edu
For program inquiries, please contact:
Tara Brown
Associate Professor
tmbrown@umd.edu