A master's degree and teacher certification program designed to promote equal access and opportunity in urban educational settings, grounded in research-based frameworks of teaching and learning.
Empowering Educators for Urban Impact. Rooted in Community. Driven by Inquiry. Committed to Change.
Designed for individuals actively working in teaching environments, the Program offers a flexible pathway to earn a master’s degree while maintaining full-time employment. Students develop the skills to engage with local communities through an asset-based lens, recognizing and building on the strengths of students, families, and community stakeholders. In addition to the master’s degree, students pursue Pennsylvania certification in general education, special education, or both.
September 1 Application Opens
Summer Entry Term
Executive* Enrollment Format
10 Course Units
2 Years Duration
Hybrid Modality
The Urban Teaching Residency, M.S.Ed. (UTR) program provides comprehensive academic training and professional mentorship to prepare effective teachers, researchers, educators, and community advocates. Participants are committed to addressing the unique needs of children and families in high-needs contexts. Designed for working professionals, the program offers a flexible schedule with courses held 1–2 evenings per week and some weekends. Students in the program pursue their PA Instructional Level I Certification in General and/or Special Education.
Students in the program must hold a full-time role as a teacher of record, long-term substitute, teaching assistant or paraprofessional in the state of Pennsylvania. Once enrolled, they are eligible to apply for teacher intern certification as part of an alternative route to Pennsylvania state certification. Certification candidates also receive personalized coaching from experienced teachers at their schools, fostering partnerships that prioritize student engagement, amplify student voices, and strengthen teacher-student relationships, all rooted in urban communities.
Application Requirements and Deadlines Tuition and Fees Financial Aid
The Urban Teaching Residency, M.S.Ed. program offers students the ability to earn a master’s degree and teacher certification while continuing to work full-time as a teacher of record, long-term substitute teacher, teaching assistant, or paraprofessional.
The Urban Teaching Residency, M.S.Ed. program offers students the ability to earn a master’s degree and teacher certification while continuing to work full-time as a teacher of record, long-term substitute teacher, teaching assistant, or paraprofessional.
This executive format program allows you to continue working full-time while earning an Ivy League advanced degree. Meet in-person 1–2 evenings per week with additional online and asynchronies courses. The dual certification option (PA Instructional Level I in general and special education) can be completed within 2 years.
Courses cover the interactions between schools, communities, and governments, and address human agency versus structural oppression. Methods courses are tailored to enhance your teaching practice. The program emphasizes inquiry, critical thinking, and problem-solving to develop skilled educators and leaders.
For course details and requirements, visit the Urban Teaching Residency M.S.Ed. program in the University Catalog.
We are here to help! Contact the Program Manager, Noel Lipki, nlipki@upenn.edu.
Additional programs of study are available. Please contact the program manager for schedules specific to each track.
General Notes
| Year | Semester | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Summer II (early July–mid-August) | Tues & Thurs – In person |
| Fall (mid-Aug–Dec) | Tues – In person 2 Thurs – In person 7 Sat – In person | |
| Spring (Jan–May) | Tues – In person Thurs – Online synchronous | |
| Summer I (late May–July) | Tues – Online synchronous | |
| Year 2 | Fall (mid-Aug–Dec) | Tues – In person Elective – Varies by course |
| Spring (Jan–May) | Tues – In person Elective – Varies by course |
| Year | Semester | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Summer II (early July–mid-August) | Tues & Thurs – In person |
| Fall (mid-Aug–Dec) | Tues – In person 2 Wed – Online synchronous | |
| Spring (Jan–May) | Tues – In person 4 Wed – Online synchronous 1 Sat/month – In person | |
| Year 2 | Fall (mid-Aug–Dec) | Tues – In person 7 Sat – In person Thurs – Online synchronous |
| Spring (Jan–May) | Tues – In person Thurs – In person Elective – Varies by course |
*Students not pursuing a master’s degree who would like to enroll in the special education certification-only track must already have Pennsylvania General Certification. Students in the master’s program can pursue any of the certification offerings.
In any of our master’s degree programs, students may choose one or two concentrations.
For students pursuing special education or elementary certification, additional field experiences are required. We have found that these experiences can be transformative for beginning teachers.
For students seeking special education or dual certification, VAST LIFE is a supervised, formally-evaluated fieldwork experience working with, planning for, and educating students with low incidence disabilities in the areas of domestic, transition, social, functional, community, and leisure skills. VAST LIFE participants are local high school students aged 14 to 19 and who qualify to take the PASA in the State of Pennsylvania. The lessons take place on Saturdays in our spring semester, and are based on theories of universal design and research-based educational practice.
Note: If you are a parent or guardian interested in applying to VAST LIFE for your child, please visit our VAST LIFE application page.
For students in our PreK–4 certification track, additional field work is required in a preschool setting. This requirement is satisfied through a specially-designed Child Development course specifically for elementary educators. This course takes place at a local preschool on select Saturdays and involves applying developmental theories and instructional design principles to practice while working with 2-4 year olds.
The Urban Teaching Residency works with many community partners in the tri-state area to recruit future educators. Below is a list of our partners. Applicants do not need to be a member of these organizations in order to apply.
Graduates of the Urban Teaching Residency, M.S.Ed. program are prepared to apply research- and practice-based approaches to teaching, learning, and leadership. Alumni work as teachers, leaders, researchers, and policymakers, committed to promoting equal access to education and making an excellent education a reality for all children.
A graduate degree from Penn GSE opens up whole new worlds, intellectually as well as professionally. If you are a passionate, innovative, impactful leader—or aspire to be one—Penn GSE is the place for you.
Do you have questions about the application, financial aid, or requirements? We're happy to help!
