Be a force for educational equity by teaching in urban schools
Master of Education - Urban Education (39-42 credits)
Become the teacher you’ve always wanted to be through Davenport University’s groundbreaking master of education (MED) in urban education, the first graduate urban teaching program in Michigan. Through the master’s in urban education, you’ll receive an exceptional, career-focused education with the convenience of Real-Time Virtual (RTV) classes through our Global Campus.
Designed by national experts, this 36-credit urban education program is grounded in the unique educational needs of students in historically challenged school districts. Credentialed faculty in this urban teaching program bring multifaceted expertise to you. They’ll mentor and prepare you for real-world experiences through Davenport’s partnerships with local school districts.
Whether you’re a new or experienced teacher, our urban education master’s curriculum will give you the strong educational equity knowledge, skills, tools and strategies you need for effective teaching in urban schools.
What is an urban education master’s degree?
An urban education master’s degree focuses on teaching in urban schools, where students often are disproportionately affected by lower socioeconomic status and other disadvantages that can contribute to an imbalance of educational equity.
Graduates of master-level urban teaching programs are teaching in urban schools nationwide. They also serve as teacher leaders, trainers, teacher mentors and instructional coaches. Davenport alumni who have completed our urban teaching program and achieved their graduate urban education degree have gone on to become administrators in K-12 settings and are often promoted to leadership positions.
Explore classes for Davenport’s graduate urban education degree
Davenport’s urban teaching program includes a solid foundation in core teaching methods, effective lesson planning and practical skill building in areas such as data management. Classes such as Family and Community Partnership Practice and Culturally Responsive Classroom Management will prepare you for teaching in urban schools and promoting educational equity at every turn.
Foundations Module |
12 Credits | |
---|---|---|
UEDU600 | Introduction to Teaching | 3 |
UEDU610 | Foundation of Urban Education | 3 |
UEDU630 | Data Analytic, Assess, Measure | 3 |
UEDU656 | Education and the Law | 3 |
Transformational Module |
9 Credits | |
---|---|---|
UEDU682 | Family & Comm Partnership Prac | 2 |
UEDU715 | Educational Psych in Urban Ed | 2 |
UEDU730 | Classroom Mgmt Strategies | 3 |
UEDU742 | Implemnt Collg Career Rdy Curr | 2 |
Apprenticeship Module |
12 Credits | |
---|---|---|
UEDU756 | Differen Instruct Urban Settng | 3 |
UEDU770 | Building Effective Lesson Plan | 3 |
UEDU786 | Using Tech to Enhance Learn | 3 |
UEDU792 | School Improvement Planning | 3 |
Core Methods Courses |
6 Credits | |
---|---|---|
UEDU700 | Observation | 0 |
Urban Education Elective |
3 Credits | |
---|---|---|
UEDU797 | Leading Change | 3 |
Candidates must choose one Core Methods Course sequence: |
(6) Credits | |
---|---|---|
UEDU701A/B | Literacy Development and Instruction | 3 credits & 3 |
UEDU702A | Teaching Mathematics | 3 |
UEDU702B | Teaching Mathemathics | 3 |
UEDU703A/B | Teaching Integrated Science | 3 credits & 3 |
Which class should I take? When should I take it?
See our Recommended Program Sequences:
Why pursue a graduate urban education degree at Davenport?
As a student in the first and only College of Urban Education in Michigan, you’ll be part of Davenport’s pioneering urban teaching program. Your classes emphasize culturally sound teaching strategies for urban classrooms to foster your success.
Receive immediate feedback from faculty on the skills you’ll need most as a teacher through the clinical classroom observation component. You’ll also receive cultural intelligence assessments that offer insight into internal bias and systematic inequity.
Davenport's urban teaching program partners with community schools and other entities so you’ll develop strong relationships for effective teaching in urban schools. The knowledge, skills, experiences and connections you gain in Davenport’s urban teaching program will help you become an effective educator.
Experience the Davenport difference:
![]() |
Engaging, convenient online formatLearn in online RTV classes that offer lively interaction and are tied to real-world urban education issues. All courses in the urban teaching program align with best practices and standards. |
![]() |
Faculty experts in urban educationDavenport urban education faculty have 10+ years of experience as educators, with expertise in areas like elementary and secondary teaching and school leadership as well as certification in RTV instruction. |
![]() |
Clinical immersion from the startAs a working teacher, you can add newly acquired skills to your classroom immediately. Non-teachers in our program can observe teaching in urban schools to learn principles of urban education. |
![]() |
Gain practical skills in urban educationBuild real-world skills with Davenport’s urban teaching program opportunities that include service learning, research, an urban education symposium and on-the-job coaching in K-12 education. |
![]() |
Alternative route to teacher certificationStart your career teaching in urban schools sooner through our urban education graduate certificate program, which allows you to teach in Michigan while you fulfill your credential requirements. |
![]() |
Preparation for an in-demand career teaching in urban schoolsEarn the Davenport urban education degree that can make you a sought-after candidate for teaching in urban schools who is culturally competent with exemplary teaching skills that facilitate educational equity. |
Hear from graduates of the urban education master’s program
“This program taught me the skills to be successful as a building leader in a diverse cultural center.”
-Arnaldo Melendez, M Ed ’17
Principal, Dickinson Cultural Center
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Get started on your graduate urban education degree
Explore the admissions requirements and then take the next step toward earning your urban education master’s at Davenport.
Talk to a graduate admissions advisor
Davenport’s admissions team is here to answer your questions. Please call us at 800.686.1600 or email us at info@davenport.edu.
Apply now or request more information
Get started launching or advancing your career in urban education. Request more information or begin your application now.
Programs related to the master of urban education degree
About Davenport University

Davenport is a private, not-for-profit university with more than 150 years of experience preparing students for successful careers.
Offering over 60 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, we align with top employers to design degree programs that help you gain the skills and real-world experience you need to rise above the rest. With small class sizes and campuses across Michigan or online, you’ll earn a quality education on your schedule at Davenport University.
Additional resources
- Fill out the Davenport Application for Admissions.
- Candidates must have a bachelor's degree or above with a 3.0 GPA and pass a subject area competency exam.
- Two (2) signed professional recommendation forms and one personal recommendation form are required.
- A current resume/CV must be submitted and it should include prior employment experience, educational background, and any organizational affiliations.
- Statement of purpose (refer to the statement of purpose form in the admission packet).
- Participate in an interview with the College of Urban Education (CUE) Admission Committee - to be scheduled by Davenport upon submission of the completed application.
As a Master of Urban Education graduate you will:
- Demonstrate the skills to create holistic learning opportunities in urban classrooms to foster student success.
- Be immersed in urban student learning needs, challenges and solutions.
- Be prepared to meet the educational demands of urban settings.
- Understand and rely on measurable data to align and plan your work.
- Be qualified to teach, collaborate, innovate and problem solve.
- Become part of an interactive professional community.
- Possess unique knowledge through your key educator partnership, gaining insight from both higher education and K-12 sectors.
- Master technology applications to maximize your preparation.
- Work with a research and development agenda that supports continuous improvement.
Some programs require a student to complete a portion of their degree plan off-campus.
View a full list of those programs and courses