The Urban Secondary Education major is rooted in justice-oriented pedagogy and positions future teachers to address the needs of all students. Graduates of our program are highly sought after by recruiters in our partner school districts because of their preparation, diversity, and familiarity with the challenges and strengths of our urban school communities. This degree program provides students with significant support and mentorship to complete the certification requirements that disproportionately impact teacher candidates of color. The Department of Urban Education is a national leader in developing high quality teachers of color who are well-prepared to serve as leaders in their schools.
For all students seeking a B.A. or B.S. degree at Rutgers University-Newark, they are required to complete a minimum of 120 credits. This 37-credit major works in conjunction with the departments that house the students' primary major. This program does require a primary or secondary major in a specified content area listed below. These approved content area majors are accredited degree-granting majors meeting all requirements for the School of Arts and Sciences curriculum. Upon meeting all program and graduation requirements for both majors, students will be eligible for teacher certification in the area that aligns with their content area major.
Approved Content Majors
- STEM
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science/Geology
- Mathematics/Applied Mathematics
- Physics
- Technology Education (NJIT)
- Humanities
- Africana Studies
- History
- Political Science
- Women's & Gender Studies
- Languages
- English
- Portuguese
- Spanish
Course Sequence
Cluster I
- Jumpstart Seminar (1 credit, 21:300:100)*
- Social Foundations in Urban Education (3 credits, 21:300:292)**
- Child and Adolescent Psychology and the Urban Experience (3 credits, 21:300:295)**
- Educational Planning for Dually Exceptional Students (3 credits, 21:300:298)**
*
Only required if students did not meet the Praxis Core Basic Skills requirement
**Course satisfies a general education requirement
Note: Students desiring teacher certification should submit the program application before these courses are complete. Students cannot move to Cluster II until they have met the Basic Skills Requirement.
Cluster II
- Content Planning and Teaching in the Urban Classroom (3 credits)
- English, 21:300:452
- Math, 21:300:450
- Science & Technology, 21:300:454
- Social Studies, 21:300:456
-
Content Planning and Teaching in the Urban Classroom II (3 credits)
- English, 21:300:453
- Math, 21:300:451
- Science & Technology, 21:300:455
- Social Studies, 21:300:457
- Culturally Responsive Assessment and Evaluation (3 credits, 21:300:390)
Cluster III
- Clinical Practice I (3 credits, 21:300:419)
- Clinical Practice I Seminar (3 credits, 21:300:418)
- Clinical Practice II (9 credits, 21:300:488)
- Clinical Practice II Seminar (3 credits, 21:300:487)
- Seminar on Critical Writing (1 credit, 21:300:381)
Admission Requirements
- NJDOE Basic Skills Requirements (the Jump Start seminar is provided to support students with the Praxis Core assessment)
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher in the student's primary major
- Complete departmental application
School of Arts and Sciences-Newark 
