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Undergraduate spring application deadline is December 1 for spring term.

Urban Elementary Education BS for K-6 Licensure

About The Program

Gain a Minnesota Teaching License with the Urban Elementary Education BS for teaching Kindergarten through Grade 6, and make a difference in the lives of urban children by setting a strong education foundation that will last a lifetime. With this degree, you can share your passion for learning and teaching with children in diverse, urban elementary schools while empowering yourself with the content knowledge, teaching skills, urban field experiences, and professional poise you need to give your students a good education.

Program Overview

Metro State’s approach to teacher education emphasizes preparing diverse, reflective, and resilient teachers who are outstanding in their commitment to serving urban youth and creating equitable educational opportunities. The Urban Elementary Education major in the School of Urban Education (UED) is designed to meet the needs of urban elementary schools for teachers who can aid in the development of children from Kindergarten through Grade 6, and improve their educational achievement with positive impact lasting a lifetime. More than any other program in Minnesota, we attract more teacher candidates who are of color, multilingual, low-income or "first generation" into teaching careers who can relate to the experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse urban youth and their communities.

Urban Elementary Education Career Opportunities

The Urban Elementary Education BS is designed for students seeking to be a Tier 3 licensed teacher within urban settings. The Urban Elementary Education degree designed for MN Kindergarten-Grade 6 teaching licensure. Students may also take a few extra courses to add a Pre-Primary endorsement to be licensed in Pre-K settings as well as earn an ESL minor for an additional K12 ESL license.

Program Highlights

  • Designed to provide flexibility for working adult students
  • Create a flexible schedule to take classes at your pace given your other life and work responsibilities
  • Courses meet once per week, often in the evening.
  • Courses are offered in-person, online with synchronous meetings and in hybrid formats
  • Participate in direct field experience in urban classrooms and courses focusing on urban education.
  • The curriculum has a strong focus on cultural relevance and education equity throughout the program
  • Instructors integrate and build upon the rich, diverse cultural knowledge and professional experience of students in program courses
  • Learn in small, friendly classes that allow you to know instructors and fellow students well
  • Learn with the most diverse student and faculty population of any teacher preparation program in Minnesota; a majority of our students, faculty and staff in the School of Urban Education are from BIPOC communities
  • Learn in small, friendly classes that allow you to know instructors and fellow students well
  • Get a high-quality education at the most affordable cost of any university in Minnesota

Transfer Students

This major is an excellent option for students transferring from a Minnesota State 2-year college with an associate degree having completed the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum. Whether you have completed your associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree, the Elementary Education Transfer Pathway, just some coursework in Education or no Education coursework yet, the School of Urban Education is the place for you because nearly 90% of Metro State’s students transfer from other institutions.

Consult with an Urban Education advisor to know which transfer courses meet major requirements, or visit www.transferology.com.

Student outcomes

Students who complete this program will meet the following 10 learning outcomes aligned with the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice for Beginning Teachers:

  • Subject matter: Urban teacher candidates will “understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines taught and be able to create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.”
  • Student learning: Urban teacher candidates will “understand how students learn and develop and must provide learning opportunities that support a student's intellectual, social, and personal development.”
  • Diverse learners: Urban teacher candidates will “understand how students differ in their approaches to learning and create instructional opportunities that are adapted to students with diverse backgrounds and exceptionalities.”
  • Instructional strategies: Urban teacher candidates will “understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage student development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.”
  • Learning environment: Urban teacher candidates will “be able to use an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create learning environments that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.”
  • Communication: Urban teacher candidates will “be able to use knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.”
  • Planning instruction: Urban teacher candidates will “be able to plan and manage instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals.”
  • Assessment: Urban teacher candidates will “understand and be able to use formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the student.”
  • Reflection and professional development: Urban teacher candidates “will be a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of choices and actions on others, including students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community, and who actively seeks out opportunities for professional growth.”
  • Collaboration, ethics and relationships: Urban teacher candidates will “be able to communicate and interact with parents or guardians, families, school colleagues, and the community to support student learning and well-being.”

Program Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB).

Related minors

Want to get started?

If you’re committed to serving urban youth and creating equitable educational opportunities as a teacher, the Urban Elementary Education BS for students in Kindergarten through Grade 6 may be a great opportunity for you.

How to enroll

Current students: Declare this program

Once you’re admitted as an undergraduate student and have met any further admission requirements your chosen program may have, you may declare a major or declare an optional minor.

Future students: Apply now

Apply to Metropolitan State: Start the journey toward your Urban Elementary Education BS for K-6 Licensure now. Learn about the steps to enroll or, if you have questions about what Metropolitan State can offer you, request information, visit campus or chat with an admissions counselor.

Get started on your Urban Elementary Education BS for K-6 Licensure

More ways to earn your degree: Metropolitan State offers the flexibility you need to finish your degree. Through programs at our partner institutions, you can find a path to getting your Urban Elementary Education BS for K-6 Licensure that works best for you.

About your enrollment options

Program eligibility requirements

To be admitted in the Urban Teacher Program, students need to meet the requirements and criteria stated in the Undergraduate Admission Requirements in the Urban Teacher Program.

Contact UED.advising@metrostate.edu or meet with an advisor to learn more.

Courses and Requirements

SKIP TO COURSE REQUIREMENTS

In addition to completing required coursework for the major and University graduation requirements, the following are among the requirements for program completion and K–6 licensure:

• Completion of at least 120 hours in urban PreK-Kindergarten 40 hours, Primary Grades 1-3 40 hours, and Intermediate Grades 4-6 classrooms 40 hours are required prior to student teaching.

• Completion of 12 weeks of full-time student teaching.

• Passing all required performance assessments.

• Background check and licensure application with fee.

Pre-Requisite and CORE Courses for the Major and Licensure (74+ credits)

Students are strongly encouraged to work with their advisor to be strategic in selecting GELS and major courses needed for the BS degree and licensure in order to maximize opportunities to have courses meet more than one requirement when possible.

+ Pre - Requisite EDU and PSYC Courses Needed for Admission to the Major and Urban Teacher Program

These courses are open to all students and are among the requirements for admission to the Urban Teacher Program. In addition to the below list, students must complete an Ethnic Studies (ETHS) course, and the University General Education or Minnesota Transfer Curriculum Requirements (All 10 Goal Areas completed, 40 cr). See link to other program admission requirements under section titled Program Eligibility Requirements.

This course provides an introduction to urban learners, urban teaching, and urban school systems using case studies and first-person accounts of teaching and learning in an urban environment. Current issues facing urban P-12 students, teachers, schools, districts, and communities will be discussed. Society's responsibility to urban schools will be examined along with the roles that teachers and schools play in increasing student achievement and leading school improvement. Key concepts of the Urban Teacher Program will be introduced including the importance of high expectations, student and teacher resiliency, educational equity, using the community as a resource, and reflection. Various perspectives and dimensions of the achievement gap will be examined, including causes due to discrimination and perspectives on what constitutes high educational achievement for culturally and linguistically diverse youth. Students in this course are expected to explore and express their own…

Full course description for Introduction to Urban Education and Reflective Teaching

This course introduces prospective urban teacher candidates to core concepts and approaches of multicultural education including issues related to student, family and community diversity based on race, culture, language, class, gender, sexual orientation and disability. Issues of oppression, privilege and equity in relation to schools and society are also addressed as students use their life experiences as a multicultural reference point to begin to understand the life experiences of the diverse students who attend urban public schools. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating the multicultural competence required of all successful teachers working with diverse urban youth. Clinical field experience hours are part of the course requirements.

Full course description for Multicultural Education

This course provides an overview of the science of child psychology. Major theories and research related to a child's perceptual, motor, emotional, social and cognitive development are reviewed, and their practical applications are explored. Overlap: PSYC 308T Child Psychology Theory Seminar.

Full course description for Child Psychology

+ Math Content Needed for Degree and Licensure (1 course)

Choose one of the following that meets General Education/MnTC Goal Area 4:

This course develops the fundamental concepts of algebra with an emphasis on the classification and analysis of linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions. Applications to the natural and social sciences are given throughout. It aims to provide insights into the nature and utility of mathematics, and helps students develop mathematical reasoning skills.

Full course description for College Algebra

This course covers the basic principles and methods of statistics. It emphasizes techniques and applications in real-world problem solving and decision making. Topics include frequency distributions, measures of location and variation, probability, sampling, design of experiments, sampling distributions, interval estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression.

Full course description for Statistics I

+ Science Content Needed for Degree and Licensure (2 Courses required)

Courses can include any science courses used to meet General Education/MnTC Goal Area 3 Natural Sciences and Goal Area 10 People and the Environment. Must be from any two sciences such as Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Geology, Natural Science or Physics. Listed here are recommendations.

This course is an introduction to the genetics, anatomy, physiology, and evolution of the human body in both health and disease. Lab included. Intended for general education students, students preparing for BIOL 111 General Biology and students needing a one-semester introduction to human biology.

Full course description for Human Biology

This course is an introduction to concepts, methods and vocabulary of the science of chemistry. Topics include scientific method, the history of chemistry, measurement and problem-solving in chemistry, the nature of matter and energy, atoms, molecules, chemical reactions, chemical bonding, the periodic table, solid, liquids, gases and chemical solutions. Includes lab. Intended for students preparing for CHEM 111 General Chemistry as well as students seeking a general education science course with lab.

Full course description for Introduction to Chemistry

Principles of chemistry as they apply to important environmental and societal issues. Topics will be drawn from: energy sources, alternative fuels, radioactivity, global warming, ozone, pollution, acid rain, plastics and polymers, drug development, nutrition and genetic engineering. Includes lab. Intended for students preparing for Chem 111 General Chemistry as well as students seeking a general education science course with lab.

Full course description for Chemistry, Society and the Environment

Students will study biological and chemical concepts relating to food and cooking. Students will learn about structure and bonding of food constituents, cell theory, signaling, and biological structure. The course will also explore the history of food, ailments, or cures associated with food. Students will be able to examine foods in different cultures and apply their knowledge from the course to understand the importance of these foods.

Full course description for The Science of Cooking

This course examines the evolution of the universe and the movements within the solar system and life cycles of stars. It is designed for students with a natural interest and fascination for planets, stars, and the universe. The class has access to a large telescope, a planetarium and color slides of recent space probes. Also, it explores special topics of interest including supernovas, quasars, gas giant planets and other wonders of the unfolding universe. Lab included. Intended for general education students and students majoring in Life Sciences Teaching.

Full course description for Introduction to Astronomy

This course is an introduction to the atmospheric sciences, including meteorology, climatology, and atmospheric chemistry. This course emphasizes scientific method, human impact on the environment, and the climate and weather in Minnesota. Includes lab. Intended for general education students and students majoring in Life Sciences Teaching.

Full course description for Air, Weather and Climate

This is an introductory course in physics covering one-dimensional and two-dimensional motion, forces, solids, fluids, heat, temperature, electricity, magnetism, waves and light. This course is focused on topics that are important in the environmental and life sciences, the development of quantitative problem-solving skills, and practical applications. Includes lab. This course meets the Physics course requirement of the Biology BA, Environmental Science BS, and Life Sciences Teaching BS programs, and the General Education Goal 3 Science requirement.

Full course description for Introduction to Physics

This course is an introduction to geology, meteorology and astronomy. Topics include measurement and the scientific method, rocks and minerals, weathering and erosion, earthquakes, volcanoes, plate tectonics, geologic time and the history of the Earth, structure and composition of the atmosphere, weather patterns, climate, a history of modern astronomy, the solar system, light and the sun, and stars beyond our solar system. Check the Class Schedule for the dates and times of required field trips. Includes Lab.

Full course description for Introduction to Earth Sciences

This course introduces the geological materials, processes and events of the earth's surface and crust that are most relevant to human populations. The phenomena studied include natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunami, floods, and hurricanes, as well as important resources such as water, soil, traditional and alternative energy resources, and pollution and remediation of water and air quality.

Full course description for Environmental Geology

An introduction to the science of conservation biology applied to the ecology of Minnesota, focusing on Minnesota's natural ecosystems and the connections between humans and the environment. Lab activities vary with the season and the instructor's expertise. Field trips to forest, prairie and/or wetland ecosystems are a required part of class; check the class schedule for the dates and times of field trips. Includes lab. Intended for general education students.

Full course description for Minnesota Ecology and Conservation Biology

An introduction to environmental science and the range of environmental issues that affect people on a global, local and personal level. Topics include sustainability, ecology, biodiversity, solid waste, water pollution, energy sources, air pollution, and climate change. Includes lab. The online version of this course requires students to purchase lab materials. Intended for general education students. Because college-level science courses contain extensive new terminology, many students find it helpful to take LING 111-Vocabulary Study prior to taking this course.

Full course description for Environmental Science

The focus of this course is the science of growing plants with an ecological perspective, including basic botany, soil science and insect pest management. In this course students will grow flowers, herbs and vegetables in the University's GROW-IT center greenhouse and learn about ecosystems and environmental issues related to food supply, agriculture, soil conservation and pest control. Intended for General Education students. Includes lab.

Full course description for Garden Science

+ Social Studies Content Needed for Degree and Licensure (2 courses required)

Courses can be used to meet General Education/MnTC Goal Areas GELS Goal Area 5 History/Social Science; Goal Area 6 Humanities and Fine Arts; Goal Area 7 Human Diversity; Goal Area 8 Global Perspective; Goal Area 9 Ethical and Civic Responsibility; and/or Goal Area 10 People and the Environment). Listed here are recommendations.

This course introduces students to the concepts and tools used by geographers to think critically about the relationship between humans and their environment. Geographers use this focus to answer contemporary questions of political, economic, social and environmental concern. This course is designed to help students understand the role human and physical geographies play in shaping individuals' experiences and understanding of the world.

Full course description for Introduction to Geography

This survey course traces U.S. development from the end of the Civil War until the present day. Students study post war Reconstruction in the South, the return of legal and social discrimination against African Americans, the advent and results of the Industrial Revolution, the making of modern capitalism, the increasing political and economic roles of women, the two World Wars, and America as a world power and multiethnic society.

Full course description for The American Past: From 1865

Does the world have a history? This course is based on an affirmative answer to the question. A history of the world must be more than a mere compendium of facts about disparate societies and traditions. In this course students study the interactions among far-flung civilizations in ancient and medieval times. However, for most of the period considered in this course, those interactions were quite limited. Therefore, a coherent account of human history as a whole before the modern era emerges in large measure from comparisons among independently developing societies, and from a search for common patterns of development. Both similarities and important differences receive due attention. Topics include: the change from hunter-gatherer societies to sedentary agriculture; the rise of cities, social stratification, and the beginnings of written culture and organized religion; the complex civilizations and empires of West Asia, East Asia, Africa, Mesoamerica, and Europe; gender…

Full course description for World History I: Patterns of Civilization to 1500

This course examines the interactions among the world's peoples as they were brought increasingly into contact with one another after 1500. The rise of capitalism, colonialism and imperialism were closely linked to the creation of the modern world system, a system that took shape out of the cooperation and conflict among and between people as they were drawn into a world economy. Their experiences, the experiences of the people of the past as they both created and confronted the modern world, are thus central to an understanding of our own place in it.

Full course description for World History II: The Modern World, 1500 to the Present

+ CORE ONE: Foundation Courses (10 cr, Prerequisites: Courses required for admission to the Urban Teacher Program)

Core One courses include 25 hours of documented urban field experiences. Students interested in earning the Pre-Primary licensure endorsement should take some of those required courses (i.e., EDU 325, PSYC 357, PSYC 359) in Core One.

The spectrum of physical and motor development of children from conception to age 8 will be covered in this course. Students will also be introduced to foundations of good nutrition and health maintenance for young children. There will be opportunities to develop nutritional plans for yearly childhood programs that respect cultural and religious diversity. Students will consider health policies for schools and child care centers as well as assess and plan large and small motor activities for groups and individual children. The effects of drugs will be addressed, from the prenatal period through the use of medication to treat behavior and emotional conditions in early childhood.

Full course description for Physical Development, Health, Nutrition, Effects of Drugs in Birth-Grade 6

Theories and realities of diverse family structure and function will be the foundation of this course. The students will examine the unique roles of parents, family, and community in the lives of children who live in urban settings with particular focus on the racial, cultural and ethnic groups that reside in the metropolitan Twin Cities. Opportunities will be available for students to compare their own life and family experiences to those of children living in today's urban communities through primary research experiences. The role of the urban teacher in effectively working with diverse urban families, and strategies for building effective home-school partnerships will be discussed. Clinical field experience hours are part of the course requirements.

Full course description for The Child and the Family in an Urban Setting

This course will provide the prospective teacher with opportunities to plan and implement developmentally and culturally appropriate activities in the arts for young urban children. The students in this course will be introduced to the basic theories of teaching the visual arts, creative movement, music and creative dramatics within a developmental program for young children. Integration of the arts into the regular daily curriculum of urban early childhood settings will be a major focus of this course. Clinical field experience hours are part of the course requirements.

Full course description for The Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education

This course is an introduction to the use of information technology (IT) devices and applications to promote teaching and learning in k-12 educational settings for students with and without disabilities. Teacher candidates will learn primary tools and software applications to promote teacher productivity and integration of IT to promote curriculum, instruction, assessment, and family/educator communication. In addition to instruction and productivity for k-12 general education settings, the course will include introduction to accessibility issues and the "digital divide" that impact urban learners and educators. Students in this course will demonstrate their competence using technology by developing an electronic, standards-based portfolio.

Full course description for Information Technology for K-12 Education

+ CORE TWO: Professional Education Courses (13 cr, Prerequisites: All Core One requirements)

Core two courses include 25 hours of documented urban field experiences. Students interested in earning the Pre-Primary licensure endorsement should take some of those required courses (i.e., EDU 325, PSYC 357, PSYC 359) in Core Two.

This course will review the development of children ages three to five, and connect development to the practices used to design appropriate learning experiences for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children in urban settings. Students will learn curriculum and instructional strategies which integrate development, skills and content knowledge in individualized, culturally respectful manners. As prospective urban teachers, students in this course will be introduced to the concepts and criteria for determining school readiness as well as learning the rationale and strategies for developmentally appropriate guidance. This course will help students develop holistic, child centered approaches to pre-kindergarten and kindergarten curricula. Students also complete a field experience practicum in an urban pre-kindergarten or kindergarten settings to integrate knowledge gained in class with experiences working with urban three to five year-olds.

Full course description for Urban Pre-K and Kindergarten Curriculum and Practicum

This practicum is designed to give urban teacher candidates the opportunity to document and reflect upon at least 40 hours practical clinical experience working with diverse youth in an urban middle school or high school. Most of the field experience hours will be determined by field-based assignments required in other Education courses. Included with these experiences, urban teacher candidates practice using diagnostic assessment to guide their instructional planning of at least three lessons for a small group of 1-5 students needing help to improve their reading or mathematics literacy. Successful completion of this practicum is a prerequisite for student teaching. Requirements include attendance and participation in periodic seminars to help prospective urban teacher candidates reflect upon their field experiences, and prepare for future clinical field experiences including student teaching. Co-requisites: EDU 306, OR EDU 606, OR EDU 323, OR EDU 481.

Full course description for Urban Teaching Practicum and Seminar

This course provides pre-service Early Childhood and Elementary teachers with the theoretical foundations and practical skills necessary to become reflective professionals who can analyze and select high quality and developmentally appropriate literature for children. Student will develop skills needed to guide children's selection of books, understand how to use literature with children, design age appropriate lessons and activities to stimulate and extend children's literary experiences and reading enjoyment throughout the elementary curriculum for economically, academically, culturally, racially and linguistically diverse children. Session topics will focus on student motivation, classroom organization , and teaching with children's literature. Central to all topics is the use /inclusion of literature that is multicultural/multiethnic.

Full course description for Teaching Children's Literature in Urban Grades K-6

Students will learn to use formal and informal assessment and evaluation strategies to plan and individualize curriculum and instructional practices in diverse, urban Early Childhood and Elementary classrooms. The foundations of assessment theory and practice will be presented, including the integration of performance standards for grades K-6, standardized testing requirements, and developmentally appropriate practice for diverse learning needs in urban settings. Students will have opportunities to develop and practice authentic assessment tools and strategies with the goal of using assessment to guide instruction. Clinical field experience hours are part of the course requirements.

Full course description for Assessment of Learning in Urban Grades K-6

+ CORE THREE: Professional Education Courses (14 cr, Prerequisites: All Core Two requirements)

Core three courses include 25 hours of documented urban field experiences

This course provides the background for teaching contemporary mathematics in the elementary school. The use of mathematics manipulatives for modeling the basic operations is emphasized. Set theory, numeration, and the system of whole numbers, integers and rational numbers are considered. Requirements include knowing what mathematics is expected of and taught to K-6 learners. Mathematics is taught as an integrated and continuous curriculum.

Full course description for Math for Elementary Teachers

This course includes an examination of the process of second language acquisition and strategies for teaching English Language Learners (ELL) subject matter content in urban K-12 classrooms. Prospective teachers will learn how to modify mainstream course materials and instructional strategies so that ELL students can engage in course content while simultaneously developing their English language skills. Course activities and expectations include demonstrating teaching strategies; developing lesson modifications; evaluating textbooks and other materials and resources available in the field; and examining issues in testing students of limited English proficiency for placement, diagnosis, exit, and evaluation. There is a requirement of a 10-hour field experience in urban setting involving classroom participant-observations and working with an ELL student.

Full course description for Teaching and Assessing English Language Learners

This course will review development of children grades 1-6 and connect development to the practices used to design programs for grade 1-6 children in urban classrooms. Urban teacher candidates will learn appropriate curriculum and instructional strategies for the presentation of a program which integrates development, skills, and content knowledge in individualized, culturally respectful manners for diverse urban learners. Prospective urban teachers will develop learning plans for grades 1-6 language arts, mathematics, social studies and science and have opportunities to assess their plans as part of a holistic, child-centered curriculum. The rationale and strategies for developmentally appropriate guidance will also be learned. Clinical field experience hours are part of the course requirements.

Full course description for Urban Grades 1-6 Curriculum and Practicum

This course explores the fundamentals of reading instruction. The course provides Early Childhood and pre service k-6 teachers with knowledge of the foundations of the reading and writing process, strategies and curriculum materials to support reading and writing instruction, assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate effective reading instruction, and create a literate environment that fosters reading and writing.

Full course description for Foundations of Teaching Reading in Urban Grades K-6

+ CORE FOUR: Professional Methods Courses (23 cr, Prerequisites: All Core Three requirements)
Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies Cluster (12 cr):

This Cluster includes 25 hours of documented urban field experiences

This course presents an in-depth study of the predominant current philosophies and methodologies of Early Childhood and Elementary reading instruction. Emphasis will be placed on the critical elements in literacy development. These elements are: phonemic awareness, phonic instruction, vocabulary development, fluency, and comprehension. Current organizational procedures and foundations of reading instruction will be presented. Special consideration is given to effective practices and adapting instruction for culturally and linguistically diverse students.

Full course description for Methods of Teaching Reading in Urban Grades K-6

This advanced pre-student teaching practicum is designed to give urban teacher candidates the opportunity to document and reflect upon at least 60 hours practical clinical experience in an urban middle school or high school classroom within their subject area of licensure. Requirements include teaching at least 3 lessons in their licensure area to a whole class of students, but most of the clinical field experience hours and active classroom involvement will be determined by field-based assignments required in other Education courses and the cooperating urban school teacher hosting the practicum. Successful completion of this practicum is a prerequisite for student teaching. Requirements include attendance and participation in periodic seminars to help prospective urban teacher candidates reflect upon their field experiences, and prepare for student teaching.

Full course description for Advanced Urban Teaching Practicum and Seminar

This course provides pre-service Early Childhood and Elementary teachers with the theoretical foundations and practical skills necessary to become reflective professionals who can design and implement effective language arts instruction for economically, academically, culturally, racially and linguistically diverse children. The course emphasizes the social constructivist perspective of reading and writing development which includes the importance of the total learning environment - school, home and community.

Full course description for Methods of Teaching Language Arts in Urban Grades K-6

This course encourages the pedagogies of reflective teaching, constructivism, and teaching for social justice and social change. Students will be introduced to current theories and research that examine effective teaching and meaningful learning in the elementary social studies. Urban teacher candidates will review content in various social studies disciplines while preparing to teach national, state, and local district social studies standards. Students will practice and model instructional strategies that encourage the development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills. Students will use formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and help foster the continuous intellectual, social and physical development of the learner. Urban elementary field experiences are part of the course requirements.

Full course description for Social Studies Curriculum and Differentiated Methods in Urban Grades K-6

This course explores historical, cultural, and sociological foundations of urban education in the United States. Core concepts include democracy and education, educational equity for all students and historical as well as contemporary relationships between school and society. Emphasis is on issues of power and the educational segregation and attempted deculturalization of historically marginalized groups. Resilience and persistent struggles for equal educational opportunity in the face of oppression are also emphasized from diverse cultural perspectives. Philosophical, legal, cultural and ethical perspectives about education are explored as students develop critical awareness of issues to further develop their own philosophies of urban education. The community is a resource for cross-cultural inquiry and learning about the educational strengths and challenges faced by diverse groups living in urban areas. Students gain understanding of the contributions and lifestyles of various…

Full course description for Historical and Cultural Foundations of Urban Education

Math, Science, and the Exceptional Learner Cluster (11 cr):

This Cluster includes 25 hours of documented urban field experiences

This course provides students with the knowledge and experience of intermediate and middle school mathematics to be an effective teacher in urban, multicultural classrooms. The content of this math methods course emphasizes the interconnectedness of curriculum, instruction and assessment. The overarching philosophical framework for this course is the social justice perspective of mathematics education particularly for urban students. Field experience in an intermediate or middle school mathematics classroom is required. Prerequisites for Mathematics Teaching majors: EDU 300 Assessment of Learning and Teaching in Urban Grades 5-12 and EDU 306 Urban Middle School and High School Methods and at least 24 credits of Math courses required for the Mathematics Teaching major. Prerequisite for Urban Elementary Education majors: MATH 106 Math for Elementary Teachers AND one of the following: MATH 110 Math for Liberal Arts OR MATH 115 College Algebra OR STAT 201 Statistics I. Corequisite…

Full course description for Teaching Mathematics to Urban Learners in Grades K-8

This course prepares prospective teachers in the Metropolitan State University Urban Teacher Program to teach science in urban kindergarten to grade 6. The course will examine methods and content standards for teaching science to students in grades k-6. Included in this course is the examination of factors affecting achievement among urban learners historically underserved in science education including young girls and children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Teacher candidates will learn approaches for enhancing instruction to improve standards-based academic achievement among urban learners. Participants will develop skills in lesson planning, instructional strategies, leading inquiry activities and assessing learning in all areas of the K-6 science scope and sequence. Urban elementary field experiences are part of the course requirements.

Full course description for Science Curriculum and Differentiated Instruction in Urban Grades K-6

This course is designed to prepare prospective early childhood education and elementary teachers to teach and assess young children with disabilities in urban settings. Teacher candidates are introduced to the nature and type of young children with disabilities in the context of urban schools. Formal and informal assessment strategies are addressed as well as strategies for integrating children with disabilities into the early childhood and elementary classroom. Specific areas of focus include the nature of disabilities among culturally and linguistically diverse exceptional learners, instructional individualization, and communication with parents. Issues discussed include funding, professional ethics, and legal implications for professionals, students, and family. Clinical field experience hours are part of the course requirements.

Full course description for Teaching and Assessing Children with Disabilities Birth-Grade 6

+ Student Teaching (6 cr, Prerequisites: All Core Four requirements)

Teacher Candidates must notify the Field Experience Director two semesters prior to doing their student teaching. They must also submit a draft student teaching application to their advisor by September 1st for spring placements and February 1st for fall placements.

Required culminating clinical field experience with children and a cooperating classroom teacher in an urban elementary grades (K-6) classroom for urban teacher candidates seeking elementary education licensure. Placement is for a minimum of twelve full-time weeks based on teacher candidate's Individualized Student Teaching Plan that is developed with and approved by the teacher candidate's advisor and the Field Experience Coordinator the semester prior to student teaching. Weekly reflections, periodic seminars with other student teachers, and the development of a standards-based e-folio are also required.

Full course description for Student Teaching in the Urban Elementary School K-6

+ Pre - Primary Endorsement Licensure Option (8 cr)

To add a license endorsement to teach preschool children, also complete the following courses (preferably while completing Core One and Two courses). In addition to the below list of courses, students need to complete 40 hour practicum in an urban Pre-K classroom.

This course is an introduction to formal and informal assessment strategies and their application to work with young children. The emphasis is on observing, recording and using authentic performance-based assessment, communicating assessment results to colleagues and parents, and applying assessment data to curriculum planning.

Full course description for Observing and Assessing Young Children: Birth Through Age Five

This course addresses the developmentally appropriate strategies to support learning of socially appropriate classroom behaviors for young children. Strategies examined for the course support social development, personal values and citizenship. The developmental and philosophical rationale for selection of behavior guidance strategies and practices are the foundational focus of the course. Students address the differences between discipline, classroom management and positive behavior guidance with particular focus on the cultural and contextual experiences of children in urban communities.

Full course description for Positive Behavior Guidance

This course will cover the normal development of skills and understandings necessary for a young child to learn to read and write. The individual nature of readiness and the differences in children's approaches to learning to read and write will be a focus of the course. The instructional strategies and materials that constitute a developmentally and culturally appropriate reading and language arts program for young urban children will be presented and used in practice sessions. The important role of multicultural literature in an emergent literacy curriculum for diverse urban children from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and families will be emphasized. Clinical field experience hours are part of the course requirements.

Full course description for Emergent Literacy in Urban Early Childhood Education