Graduate Certificate – Urban Education
In this graduate certificate program, early-career teachers and education professionals learn to understand the complex challenges of urban residents, build partnership and communication skills, and develop leadership qualities to succeed in urban settings.

Contact Us
Faculty Lead
Eric Rice, PhD
[email protected]
Academic Program Coordinator
Jennifer Fordham
443-927-0154
[email protected]
Graduate Certificate – Urban Education
At A Glance

Format
PART-TIME

Location
BALTIMORE
ONLINE

Credits
18

Start Term
SUMMER
FALL
SPRING

Completion Time
1-3 YEARS

Application Deadline
ROLLING
Application requirements and deadlines
Graduate Certificate: Urban Education | ||
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Enrollment: | Part-Time | |
Start Terms: | Fall, Spring, Summer | |
Application Deadline: | Rolling |
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Application Requirements: | ||
Online application form | ||
$80.00 application fee | ||
Resume/CV | ||
Essay: | ||
A 500-word essay discussing the reasons you wish to pursue a degree at Johns Hopkins University, focusing on your long-term goals and how your academic program will complement those goals. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses in your academic background, as well as any additional comments that will assist in evaluating your application materials. Essays should be submitted in a typed format on a separate sheet of paper |
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Two Letters of Recommendation | ||
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended | ||
International Applicants: | This program’s course schedule offers part-time enrollment only, Admission is not open to international applicants seeking an F-1 or J-1 visa. Please visit the International Student Admissions page for more information. |
Tuition and fees
Click here for more information on tuition and fees. Tuition and fees are subject to change for ensuing academic years, and will be updated on the School of Education website accordingly.

The Urban Education program was a great fit for me since I did not want to be a teacher or school counselor. The opportunity to explore education theories and policies inspired me to pursue my PhD.
Zyrashae Smith, MS ’17
Current PhD student
Graduate Certificate – Urban Education
Program Description
The graduate certificate in Urban Education, available online or in-person, assists early-career certified teachers and other education professionals in understanding, valuing, and contributing to schools and communities in urban and urbanizing settings.
The certificate program prepares educational professionals for this work by helping them build a deep understanding of urban residents; create strong partnerships between schools, families, and communities; and develop leadership skills for inspiring change at the classroom, school, and district levels.
Students learn to understand the interrelationships of race, class, and culture in urban classrooms. They discover how to communicate effectively within the school and parent communities and to engage community resources to enhance the learning experience. All the while, they build leadership skills necessary to link educational practices with systemic initiatives that improve urban education.
Students seeking a master’s degree may include this certificate as part of the Master of Science in Education – Educational Studies (Individualized Interdisciplinary Program of Study)
Graduate Certificate – Urban Education
PROGRAM PLAN
The certificate offers three different tracks, including pedagogy, policy, and partnerships. Students in each track take the same three core courses. Each track also includes two additional specialization courses, as well as one research course, as described below.
Coursework
Core Coursework (9 credits hours)
851.630 School, Family, and Community Collaboration for School Improvement I
880.611 The Social Context of Urban Education
880.613 Teaching, Learning and Leadership for Successful Urban Schools
Specialization Courses (6 credits hours)
Pedagogy:
810.607 Culturally Responsive Teaching
880.603 Educating the Whole Child: Teaching to the Developmental Needs of the Urban Child
Policy:
880.617 Urban School Reform
851.512 Politics of Education
Partnerships:
880.617 Urban School Reform
851.631 School, Family, and Community Collaboration for School Improvement II
Research Courses (3 credits hours, choose one):
880.624 Evaluation and Research in Education
881.611 Action Research for School Improvement
Course Information
Course descriptions, locations, and availability
Graduate Certificate – Urban Education
WHAT TO EXPECT
Outcomes
Through core course activities and individual preparation, participants will demonstrate an understanding of and competencies in:
- Understanding the interrelationships of race, class, and culture in urban classrooms.
- Communicating effectively within the school and parent community.
- Engaging community resources to enhance learning experiences.
- Building leadership capacity within the school setting.
- Linking school and classroom practices with systemic initiatives.
- Understanding the implications of recent research about urban school reform.
Graduate Certificate – Urban Education
GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURE
In accordance with U.S. Department of Education regulations, the School of Education is required to disclose select information for all Title IV eligible gainful employment (GE) programs. To see the most recent data available for this GE program, please view the attached disclosure.
Gainful Employment Disclosure – 2019
Gainful Employment Disclosure – 2019
Program Name: Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Urban Education
This program is designed to be completed in 12 months.
This program will cost $15,882 if completed within normal time. There may be additional costs for living expenses. These costs were accurate at the time of posting, but may have changed.
Of the students who completed this program within normal time, the typical graduate leaves with $ [XX,XXX] of debt.
Too few graduates to report median debt.
Program does not meet licensure requirements in the following States: Maryland
For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment
earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here:
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/.