Master of Arts in Urban Education & Community Studies

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The Master of Arts in Urban Education & Community Studies (UECS) is intended to prepare urban educators, community organizers, policymakers, school leaders, and youth-focused change agents to understand the contradictions of current urban school systems and meaningfully address the educational and broader socioeconomic disparities that urban communities too often face.

The program meets its primary objective through a focus on students’ understanding and applying a range of critical perspectives to study urban education and communities including from historical, legal, sociological, and political economic lenses. There are no certifications attached to the program. The program culminates in a master’s degree. There are two possible pathways through our MA in Urban Education and Community Studies: the Curriculum & Pedagogy concentration, or a certificate in English as a Second Language plus the M.A. in Urban Education & Community Studies. Those interested in receiving ESL certification first complete their certification, then add core M.A. courses to complete their degree. As a result, those who wish to pursue an ESL certificate + M.A. in UECS option must first be accepted by both programs.

Program Requirements

Required Courses: 12 s.h.

Students must choose 12 s.h. from the bank of courses.

Curriculum & Pedagogy Concentration Courses: 12 s.h.

Students must choose 12 s.h. from the bank of courses.

CASE 90530 - Curriculum Theories in Urban Education Credits: 3
CASE 90531 - Critical Consciousness: Sharing Power and Voice with Students Credits: 3
CASE 90532 - Working with Families and Communities Credits: 3
CASE 90533 - Critical Pedagogy Credits: 3
CASE 90534 - Disability Studies Credits: 3

English as a Second Language Concentration Courses with Certification: 12 s.h.

Elective Courses: 6 s.h.

Research Course: 6 s.h.

Students must choose 6 s.h. from the bank of courses.

CASE 90520 - Participatory Research Methods in Context Credits: 3
CASE 90521 - Ethnography in Urban Settings Credits: 3

Thesis Courses: 3 s.h.

CASE 90524 - Capstone Thesis Project Credits: 3

Total Required Credits for the Program: 36-40 s.h.

Foundation Courses

None

Graduation/Exit, Benchmark, and/or Thesis Requirements

Satisfy all course requirements as dictated by the academic department. Earn an official cumulative GPA of 3.0 on Rowan’s 4.0 scale. Satisfy program exit project as outlined by the academic department. Any other requirements for graduation from Rowan University.

Minimum Required Grades and Cumulative GPA

The Master of Arts in Urban Education and Community Studies is a Category 1 program.

For details regarding satisfactory academic progress and graduation requirements, please visit Academic Program Policy Categories

Program Coordinator/Advisor Contact Information
Walter Gershon, Ph.D.
Herman D. James Hall
856.256.4798
gershon@rowan.edu