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Master's in Teaching and Learning in Urban Schools for MNPS Teachers
The Master's Degree in Teaching and Learning in Urban Schools (TLUS) program is an exciting new partnership between Vanderbilt University's top-ranked Peabody College of education and human development and Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). It is for graduates of accredited teacher licensure programs with teaching certificates who desire a strong foundation in best practices in teaching, coupled with the opportunity to apply them on a daily basis in their classroom settings. Students pay no tuition and commit to teaching in Metro classrooms for five years. Employment with MNPS is a condition of admittance to the program.
For more information on MNPS employment, see http://www.hr.mnps.org/site200.aspx
Drawing on the rich intellectual resources available at Peabody and using the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools as an applied laboratory setting, this two-year program will work with cohorts of teachers in grades five through grade eight. The master's will have tracks in three areas: literacy, mathematics, and science.
Video: Teaching and Learning in Urban Schools program
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
A successful application for admission consideration will be based upon the following candidate qualifications:
1. Applicants must have a valid teaching license in K-6 elementary education, 4-8 middle school, or 7-12 English, Mathematics, or Science (No K-12 licensure). (A copy of the license must be submitted to complete the application).
2. Bachelor's degree (or higher) from a four-year, regionally accredited institution of higher education with minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale). Official transcript(s) showing degree conferral are required to complete the application.
3. Composite GRE score of at least 1000 (verbal + quantitative (official score report required).
4. Three letters of recommendation from professional and academic sources.
5. Statement of purpose specific to interest and experiences related to urban schools.
6. The admission process will include an interview that may occur in person or be conducted via electronic media.
PROGRAM SPECIFICS
1. Applicant may be a beginning or experienced teacher, fully and currently licensed as of May 2010; holding an Apprentice or Professional Tennessee teaching license, or eligible for a Tennessee license.
To apply for a TN license, go to http://www.tennessee.gov/education/lic/doc/ed2034.pdf and follow the directions for submission to the Tennessee Office of Teacher Licensing.
2. Liberal arts coursework should include a concentration of at least 18 hours in college-level science, math, language arts, or languages, depending on the area of study selected by the applicant.
3. Commitment includes two years of teaching in project-affiliated Metro Nashville Public Schools during the program, followed by three additional years of teaching within selected schools within Metro Nashville Public Schools (five year commitment). Applicants must be willing to accept placement at a site school that may not be known until the student receives an offer of admission.
4. This is a tuition-free program for participants. All other fees are the responsibility of the program participants.
5. Program begins July 2011 and ends August 2013.
6. Program completion will result in the Master of Education degree with major in Teaching and Learning in Urban Schools from Vanderbilt University. Degree conferral will be August 2013.
STUDENT COHORT
A group of up to 24 students will enroll Summer 2010 and complete 30 hours of coursework in two years. Individuals interested in applying to the program should contact the Vanderbilt Peabody College Office of Graduate Admissions at 322-8410. Students will attend the program tuition-free but will agree to teach in MNPS schools for five years from the start of the master's program.
The curriculum will include rigorous courses that will be supported by on-site coaching and mentoring from Vanderbilt faculty. Every semester students will participate in a seminar that will address urban issues and provide a setting for discussing classroom instruction. Cohorts will begin in the summer semester and take a total of 30 hours of coursework over a period of two years.
APPLY ONLINE
PROGRAM BENEFITS
- Add to content knowledge in your area of expertise - middle grades science, mathematics or reading/literacy. This program has been approved by the state of Tennessee for a middle grades endorsement to a K-6 license or to a 7-12 license; applicants may choose to add the middle school licensure endorsement to their existing license.
- Learn instructional methods that have been shown to lead to improved instruction in the middle grades and gain expertise using them with the assistance of skilled coaches.
- Learn assessment methods and gain skill using data to track student learning and make adjustments to improve instruction and student outcomes.
- Gain a deeper understanding of urban communities and the lives of children through participating in an Urban Seminar with fellow students over two years.
- Learn pragmatic instructional skills related to managing behavior, supporting English Language Learners, and differentiating instruction.
- Study with Vanderbilt's leading faculty in science, mathematics, literacy and special education.
- Develop collegial relationships with fellow students and other teachers in the school system that will help foster reflective practice during and after the end of your program.