Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Urban Education Specialization, M.A.

At a Glance

Leads to Teaching License?

Avg. Duration

2 years

Start Term

Fall

Required Credits

Course Load

Full-time, Part-time

Location

On-Campus

Application Deadline

March 4, 2025

FAFSA Deadline

June 30, 2025

Tuition (estimate)

In-State - $12,540
Out-of-State - $26,490
More Info

Program Overview

This Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership - Urban Education Specialization, Master of Arts (M.A.) is designed to address the pressing issues faced by minority and urban education systems. The program is dedicated to improving opportunities and equity for children marginalized by race, linguistic diversity, gender, ethnicity, and social class. Applying a social justice framework, you will explore how broad social and political contexts impact urban teachers, students, families, and communities, and develop strategies for community empowerment and transformation.

Key Features

Interdisciplinary Approach: Engage with perspectives from sociology, urban planning, political science, educational policy, and leadership, ensuring you gain a comprehensive understanding of urban education challenges
Community Engagement: Form long-lasting relationships with school leaders, community educators, and activists through the Maryland Institute for Minority Achievement and Urban Education (MIMAUE
Research Opportunities: Participate in conferences, colloquia, research projects, fellowships, and other grants, enhancing your practical and theoretical knowledge
Specialized Coursework: Take courses focused on urban education, embracing diversity, the history and policy of Black and Latino education, critical race theory and more
Flexible Electives: Customize your study with electives from various relevant departments, allowing for a tailored educational experience

#16

Best Education Policy program by U.S. News & World Report

Learning Goals

Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political contexts impacting urban education and minoritized student
Develop strategies to address the educational needs of racial, ethnic, cultural, and language minority students
Apply theoretical frameworks to explore and improve educational practices in urban educational settings
Advocate for racial and social justice and equity in education, contributing to community empowerment
Lead initiatives aimed at transforming educational practices and policies in urban and minority-focused schools

How to Apply

Information on admissions and application to this program can be found on the University Graduate Admissions website and the program handbook.

Admission Requirements Guide to Applying

“The College of Education stood out to me because of the core values it promotes such as leadership, responsibility and integrity. These are essential to set the example and spread a message of equity and inclusion in the classroom. I chose the college of education because it provides opportunities to transform the world of education.”

Maria L. Villacorta, ’23, alum

Requirements

Program Requirements

This program is carefully crafted to give you a strong foundation and provide flexibility for your interests and goals.

Degree Requirements

The chart below outlines one possible pathway through the program. Upon admission, you will be able to work with your advisor to customize your course schedule.


	Minority and Urban Education, MA non-thesis only Minimum of 30 Credit Hours of Master’s Study	Credit Hours
Core	TLPL 788 W: Special Topics in Education: M.A. Core: Research Methodologies and Educational Practice (Required of all M.A. students.)	3
Specialization Credits	TLPL 774: Urban Education TLPL 675: Embracing Diversity in Classroom Communities TLPL 770: Black and Latino Education: History and Policy TLPL 788 F: Special Topics in Education: School Exclusion: Policy, Practice, and Prevention TLPL 788 O: Selected Topics in Teacher Education: Critical Race Theory TLPL 788 X: Selected Topics in Teacher Education: Race, Whiteness, and Identify	12
Research	One of: TLPL 698: Conducting Research on Teaching (for practicing classroom teachers only) TLPL 788 I: Selected Topics in Teacher Education: Literacy for Quantitative Methods TLPL 788 G: Statistical Literacy	3
Capstone (Seminar Paper)	TLPL 798: Special Problems in Education with advisor approval	3
Electives	Electives may be taken with advisor approval from the following departments: Teaching & Learning, Policy & Leadership, African American Studies, Education Policy Studies, Urban Studies and Planning, Women’s Studies, or other departments relevant to the student’s concentration. Suggested Courses: TLPL 677: Reframing Teacher Professionalism: Achieving Teacher Leadership (strongly recommended) TLPL 671: Education Policy Analysis TLPL 683: Educational Sociology TLPL 767: Law, Equity, and Diversity in Education EDHI 662: Research on Ethnic Minorities and Demographic Trends in Higher Education TLPL 657: Teaching for Cross-Cultural Communication AASP 499: Advanced Topics in Public Policy and the Black Community: Reducing Black-White Achievement Gaps AASP 443: Blacks and the Law AASP 499N: Advanced Topics in Public Policy and the Black Community; Gentrification: The Evolution of Urban Neighborhoods AASP 499T: Advanced Topics in Public Policy and the Black Community; Race, Poverty, Violence, and the Juvenile Justice System: A Theoretical and Contextual Analysis of Social Capital WMST 611: Power, Gender & the Spectrum of Difference SOCY 424: Sociology of Race Relations SOCY 498T: Selected Topics in Sociology: Black Middle Class URSP 688X: Recent Developments in Urban Studies: Planning, Policy, and Public Education WMST 498L: Advanced Special Topics in Women's Studies: Latina Women and Families WMST 618: Feminist Pedagogy	9
	Total Credits	30

Contact

Kay Moon

TLPL Graduate Coordinator

kmoon@umd.edu

Dr. Tara Brown

tmbrown@umd.edu