Urban Education Graduate Certificate

Start or advance your career as an urban educator – in just one year’s time

Alternative Route to Teacher Certification Program (22 credits)

Together we can transform the landscape of urban education, meeting the unique educational demands of K-12 urban classrooms. With this education graduate certificate, you’ll learn culturally responsive teaching strategies that empower students intellectually, socially and emotionally. Additionally, you’ll receive mentoring and coaching throughout the program with 1:1 data-based feedback to refine your teaching, as you continue to learn. Flexible class schedules are available with Davenport's Global Campus.

All coursework for this graduate certificate program is based on graduate-level instruction, therefore all program participants must possess a bachelor’s degree. If you have a bachelor’s degree and have passed the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification in your discipline area, you’ll also receive an interim teaching certificate (along with this education graduate certificate) that allows you to teach in Michigan schools while you fulfill credential requirements.

This urban education graduate certificate also opens doors to further career opportunities for current educators seeking an additional endorsement or certification.

What is urban education?

While this program will equip you to teach diverse populations in urban schools, the knowledge and skills you acquire will prepare you to succeed in all primary or secondary educational settings.

Explore classes for Davenport’s urban education graduate certificate

Become a culturally competent urban educator through urban education graduate certificate courses that include foundations of urban education, family and community partnership practice, educational psychology in urban education and culturally responsive classroom management.

See Full Course List

Foundations Module		6 Credits
UEDU600	Introduction to Teaching This course explores research on effective teaching practices with emphasis on direct instruction. Additional topics of study include assessment of learning and use of technology in instruction. Candidates will also explore ethical requirements for educators and themes of diversity in the teaching profession. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Master of Urban Education program	3
UEDU610	Foundation of Urban Education This course will introduce candidates to the historical, sociological, and political factors both locally and writ large that have led to today’s urban schools. A particular emphasis will be placed on equity as so far as it pertains to attendance, school funding, pedagogy, assessment, standardized testing, classroom management and family involvement. This module helps fulfill credit hours requirements in the area of Diverse Learners. Prerequisite(s): Acceptance to the Urban Education Program. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.	3

Transformational Module		7 Credits
UEDU682
UEDU715	Educational Psych in Urban Ed In this course, candidates will examine psychological theories and practices that enhance task performance particularly among youth in urban settings. The course teaches candidates effective strategies to combat task performance subversion, which describes the phenomenon in which capable individuals are hindered when a social-psychological threat is presented at the time of performance. This course also covers techniques in positive psychology literature, which can be used to help urban youth maximize achievement through identifying and embracing their own personal and academic strengths. Educational Psychology in Urban Environments helps fulfill credit hours requirements in the area of Child Development or Child Psychology. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): UEDU610	2
UEDU730	Classroom Mgmt Strategies In this course, candidates learn how to create and maintain a positive learning environment in their classrooms. Additional topics for study include cultural dimensions of classroom management, motivating student achievement, fostering cooperation among students, reinforcing appropriate behavior, and ethics and law governing teacher-student relations. Candidates will be exposed to a variety of classroom management styles and strategies. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): UEDU610, UEDU630, UEDU656 and the successful completion of the first 3 credits of the Core Methods class	3

Apprenticeship Module		6 Credits
UEDU665	Special Educ Field Exper This course is a supervised, field-based experience in a special education setting. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in applying effective teaching practices and classroom management strategies while evaluating special education research based theories. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): UEDU600 and UEDU610	3
UEDU756	Differen Instruct Urban Settng This course provides an advanced understanding, design, and implementation of differentiated instruction across content areas for a range of student ability levels found in urban settings. It examines classroom instructional management strategies that will positively impact lesson delivery and student learning in diverse classrooms and in classrooms with high levels of poverty. This course helps fulfill credit hours requirements in the area of Instructional Strategies. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): UEDU682, UEDU715, UEDU730, UEDU742 and the successful completion of the second 3 credits of the Core Methods class	3

Core Methods Course		3 Credits
UEDU700	Observation Candidates in the College of Urban Education are required to have clinical practicum experiences throughout the program. Candidates’ professional competencies are measured through on-site faculty observations using instruments that assess teaching practice. These instruments describe the observed performance by determining mastery of specific items within rubrics for each performance area. The observations provide candidates knowledge regarding areas of teaching that need to be developed, based on ratings in performance areas. Additionally, the observations provide the framework to guide conversations about methodologies and strategies teachers can use to develop and grow. This course is a required practicum every Fall and Winter semester for the Certificate in Urban Education until all the requirements have been satisfied to be recommended for the State of Michigan Standard Teaching Certificate and for the Master of Urban Education until completion of the program. Applicable Course Fe	0
UEDU701A	Literacy Development/Instruct This course presents an in-depth study in the teaching of literacy for improving reading skills in all students. The course will present characteristics and factors contributing to struggling readers and provide teachers with strategies to remediate Pre-referral guidelines of federal and state laws will be discussed, including RTI, scientifically research-based and evidence-based instruction, and on-going progress monitor of student performance. An emphasis on instructional tools, guidelines for instruction, organizational and teaching strategies, remedial methods and techniques for the child with a disability in preschool through secondary education will be introduced in this course. Instructional activities will be aimed at promoting the subject literacy of their students. Teachers will gain insights into methods of effective communication and interaction with students, utilization of technology for laboratory research and reference, and methods of evaluating student achievement. Pro	3

Which class should I take? When should I take it?

See our Recommended Program Sequences:

Finish this graduate certificate program in just one year

18:1

Benefit from a 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio at Davenport University

100%

Enjoy convenient, 100% Livestream urban education degree classes

40,000

Number of students in urban schools positively impacted by our program participants

Why pursue an urban education graduate certificate at Davenport?

In addition to your courses for the education graduate certificate, you’ll build cultural competence by working directly in urban classrooms mentored and coached by experienced teachers. If you’re already a teacher, you’ll gain additional endorsements and develop the highly sought-after skills you need to advance your career as an urban educator.

Plus, once your urban education graduate certificate is in hand, you’ll be just 17 credits away from obtaining a master of urban education, should you choose to advance even further at Davenport.

Experience the Davenport difference:

Faculty experts in urban education

Learn from Davenport faculty who have 30+ years of collective experience as educators, with expertise in areas like elementary and secondary teaching and educational leadership as well as certification in Online+ learning instruction.

Expedited path to becoming an urban educator

Teach in Michigan schools while fulfilling credential requirements through this graduate certificate program. Receive an interim teaching certificate while completing this one-year certificate.

Award-winning program

Davenport is a Transformational Award Winner as recognized by the American Council on Education.

Mentorship and guidance

Receive the guidance and mentorship you need to become an in-demand urban educator by being paired with a master teacher within your assigned school in an urban setting.

Tuition assistance and grants

Receive tuition assistance and be paid as a full-time teacher when you enroll in Davenport’s graduate certificate program if you work for one of our partner districts. TEACH Grants are also available.

Service learning and research

Get involved in STEM-oriented service-learning opportunities in the graduate certificate program. You’ll also gain hands-on experience through projects and research in urban education and more.

Hear one principal's thoughts about Davenport's College of Urban Education

“The College of Urban Education prepares teachers to work in urban education because all of the courses that it offers are well connected to meeting the needs of urban districts.”

-Arnaldo Melendez, M Ed ’17

Principal, Dickinson Cultural Center
Grand Rapids Public Schools

Get started on your urban education graduate certificate

Explore the admissions requirements and then take the next step toward earning your education graduate certificate 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

Become an urban educator through the graduate certificate program. Request more information or begin your application now.

Programs related to the urban education graduate certificate

Master of Education in Urban Educational Leadership

Master of Education in Urban Education

Urban Educational Leadership Graduate Certificate

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 80 degree and certificate 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.*

Admissions checklist

Step 1: Apply for admission to Davenport University.
- Must have a bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- Send official transcripts to electronictranscripts@davenport.edu
Step 2: Complete the Urban Education Graduate Supplement
- To do so, you'll need:
  - Answers to short-form questions
  - Resume
  - Information for background check

Some programs require a student to complete a portion of their degree plan off-campus.
View a full list of those programs and courses

Sources:

DU Student Data, Fall 2023
Davenport University, 2023/2024 Catalog