Urban Teaching Apprenticeship M.S.Ed. in Elementary Education with PA Grades PreK-4 Certification
The UTAP PreK-4 certification program of study is comprised of fieldwork, courses, and academic/career workshops within its thematic five-term school year, spanning 10-months. A total of 11 course units are required for graduation.
Apprentice-teachers learn how to address the needs and nuances of the whole child. Our program provides a robust foundation in the four core content areas: Math, Literacy, Science and Social Studies, from the position that high-quality content instruction is key.
A total of 11 course units are required for graduation.
Program of Study
Term i: Summer
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| EDUC 513 | 1 | |
| EDUC 530 | 0.5 | |
| EDUC 565 | 1 | |
| EDUC 642 | 1 |
Fieldwork
Field placement in the summer takes place in public libraries, where apprentice teachers will be able to implement small-group teaching tasks learned in their Math, Literacy and Maker-Space courses. Apprentices are in libraries for half-days, Monday - Wednesday each week and spend Fridays at community site-visits bi-weekly. Summer placements are a total of approximately 40 hours of fieldwork.
Term ii & iii: FALL
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| EDUC 515 | 1 | |
| EDUC 520 | 1 | |
| EDUC 521 | 1 | |
| EDUC 531 | 1 | |
| EDUC 540 | 1 |
Fieldwork
During the fall, apprentices are in their placements for two whole days and two half-days. Apprentices will begin their placement as small-group instructor, transitioning to whole-group facilitation by the beginning of Term III. Fall placements total approximately 330 hours of fieldwork.
Term iv & v: SPRING (January - beginning of March)
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| EDUC 518 | 0.5 | |
| EDUC 523 | 1 | |
| EDUC 555 | 1 |
Fieldwork
During early spring (January - beginning of March), apprentices are in their placements for five whole days. Apprentices are expected to facilitate whole-group lessons regularly, including a "two-week takeover" during which apprentices become the lead teacher for the entire two weeks. Early spring placements are a total of approximately 280 hours of fieldwork.
During late spring (beginning of March - early May), apprentices are at their placement for five whole days. Apprentices are expected to facilitate whole-group lessons regularly. Late spring placements are a total of approximately 245 hours of fieldwork.
Comprehensive Portfolio
To culminate Term V, students complete the design a web-based Inquiry Portfolio that expands on their Term III inquiry question and highlights their two-week takeover from their Term IV social action project. Evidence of performance assessments, with commentary, appears in the final portfolios.
Specializations
In response to the growing need for teachers who can address the needs of specific types of schools and students, UTAP offers the opportunity to begin work in specialty areas. These specialties require additional coursework during the first year of teaching.
Language Diversity/Program Specialist in ESL: Apprentices work as student teachers in partner schools with ESL, bilingual, and dual language students and programs. Currently UTAP seeks apprentices who speak Spanish and Mandarin for bilingual classrooms. Apprentices seeking ESL program specialist certification need not be bilingual.
Special Education: During the apprenticeship year, apprentices in this specialty serve part of their time with students who have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Upon completion of the apprenticeship year, candidates will complete coursework for the specialization for the special education certificate Pennsylvania PreK-4.
Pennsylvania Secondary Education Certification
Upon successful completion of all components of the Urban Teaching Apprenticeship Program (required coursework and student teaching apprenticeships), including obtaining clearances and completing prerequisite coursework, students receive faculty recommendation for instructional 1 certification, which is awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. PDE requires that all applicants for instructional 1 certification be either U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are willing to submit a form indicating intention of applying for U.S. citizenship.
All applicants for the secondary education certificate must have completed a minimum of two English courses (one a writing course and one a British or American literature course) and two math courses. In addition, a number of courses related to the certification subject are required. Upon admission, we work with students to determine if they need additional courses to satisfy these certification requirements.
While we offer faculty recommendation for Pennsylvania certification, many of our students obtain Pennsylvania certification and then move to other states or countries. There is a NASDTEC Interstate Agreement to facilitate movement by teachers among states. We recommend, therefore, that students obtain Pennsylvania certification even if they plan to teach in other states.
Urban Teaching Apprenticeship M.S.Ed. in Middle Level Education with PA Grades 4-8 Certification - Student-Centered Teaching in Urban Contexts
The UTAP 4-8 certification program attends to these complexities through its program of study within its thematic, five-term school year, spanning 10 months and culminating with a master's degree in education and faculty recommendation for instructional 1 certification in a middle years content area
Apprentice teachers apply coursework theory and engagement with students during their year long fieldwork experience. Apprentice teachers engage in mentored teaching in the K-8 grade range, in public or public charter schools based on their certification area. When possible, these are schools that are developing rich environments that support design thinking, such maker-spaces, STEM classrooms, and robotics clubs.
As with our other programs, field opportunities extend across the full 10 months of our program, offering apprentices up to 800 hours of experience, in contrast to many programs where student teaching occurs over as little as 12 weeks. Our program immerses the apprentices in the teaching environment, spending more than 850 hours by the end of the 10 month program.
A total of 12 course units are required for graduation.
Program of Study
Term I: SUMMER
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| EDUC 5113 | Development of the Young Child | 1 |
| EDUC 5557 | Developmental Theories: Applications with Adolescents | 1 |
| EDUC 530 | 0.5 | |
| EDUC 5065 | Introduction to Teaching & Classroom Routines | 1 |
| EDUC 6042 | School, Society & Self | 1 |
Fieldwork
Field placements in the summer take place in public community libraries, where apprentice-teachers are able to implement small group teaching strategies learning in their summer courses. Apprentices are in libraries for half-days Monday through Wednesday each week, and on Fridays will visit community sites. Summer placements total 55 hours.
Term ii & iii: FALL
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| EDUC 515 | 1 | |
| EDUC 520 | 1 | |
| EDUC 5021 | Science Methods: Project-Based Learning Approaches | 1 |
| EDUC 5031 | Mathematics in the Elementary and Middle Schools | 1 |
| EDUC 540 | 1 |
Term III Inquiry Portfolio
Term III portfolio organization includes sections on the inquiry question, lesson plans, feedback from instructors and videos of lessons, observational feedback and self reflection. Although it is not expected that apprentices have an answer to their inquiry question by the end of Term III, the aim is to build a foundation of reflective practice.
Fieldwork
During the fall, apprentices are at their placement for two whole days and two half-days per week. Apprentices are expected to begin their placement as small-group instructor, transitioning to whole group teaching by the beginning of Term III. Fall placements total approximately 330 hours.
TERMS IV & V: SPRING
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | ||
| EDUC 5018 | Integrating the Arts in the K-8 Classroom | 0.5 |
| EDUC 5023 | Social Studies in the Elementary and Middle Schools | 1 |
| EDUC 555 | 1 |
Fieldwork
During early spring (January - early March), apprentices attend their placements for five whole days and are expected to facilitate whole group lessons regularly, including a two week takeover, during which they are the lead teacher for the entire time. Early spring placements total 280 hours.
During late spring (beginning of March - early May), apprentices are in their placements for five whole days, facilitating group lessons regularly. Late spring placements total 245 hours.
Comprehensive Portfolio
Culminating in Term V, students design a web-based inquiry portfolio infusing their Term III inquiry question and featuring the Term IV social action project. Evidence of performance assessments, with commentary, will appear in the final portfolio.
Specializations
In response to the growing need for teachers who are able to address the needs of specific types of schools and students, UTAP offers the opportunity to begin work in specialty areas. These specialties require additional coursework during the first year of teaching.
Language Diversity/Program Specialist in ESL: Apprentices work as student teachers in partner schools with ESL, bilingual, and dual language students and programs. Currently UTAP seeks apprentices who speak Spanish and Mandarin for bilingual classrooms. Apprentices seeking ESL program specialist certification need not be bilingual.
Special Education: During the apprenticeship year, apprentices in this specialty serve part of their time with students who have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Upon completion of the apprenticeship year, candidates will complete coursework for the specialization for the special education certificate.
Pennsylvania Grades 4-8 Certification
Upon successful completion of all components of the Urban Teaching Apprenticeship Program (required coursework and student teaching apprenticeships), including obtaining clearances and completing prerequisite coursework, students receive faculty recommendation for instructional 1 certification, which is awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. PDE requires that all applicants for instructional 1 certification be either U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are willing to submit a form indicating intention of applying for U.S. citizenship.
All applicants for the middle level certificate must have completed a minimum of two English courses (one a writing course and one a British or American literature course) and two math courses. In addition, a number of courses related to the certification subject are required. Upon admission, we work with students to determine if they need additional courses to satisfy these certification requirements.
While we offer faculty recommendation for Pennsylvania certification, many of our students obtain Pennsylvania certification and then move to other states or countries. There is a NASDTEC Interstate Agreement to facilitate movement by teachers among states. We recommend, therefore, that students obtain Pennsylvania certification even if they plan to teach in other states.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2022 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.