Penn GSE, Urban Studies launch undergraduate minor in secondary education

April 8, 2026 - 12:32

The University of Pennsylvania has launched a new interdisciplinary minor in secondary education, designed for undergraduates considering careers in teaching within city school systems. The nine-course program is a joint initiative between the Graduate School of Education and the Urban Studies Program.

This minor strategically merges the study of urban education policy with practical, subject-specific teaching methodologies. Students will engage with the complex realities of city schools, examining issues of equity, resources, and community dynamics, while simultaneously building foundational skills in lesson planning, instruction, and classroom management tailored to their academic discipline.

The structure is intended to create a robust pathway for students majoring in STEM fields, humanities, or social sciences who wish to connect their content expertise to educational practice. It provides a formal academic framework to explore teaching before potentially committing to a graduate-level certification program.

Faculty behind the minor emphasize its role in preparing a new generation of educators who are both subject-matter experts and critically aware of the urban contexts in which they will teach. The program underscores a growing institutional focus on addressing educational challenges and teacher preparation, particularly for high-needs urban districts. Enrollment for the minor is now available for eligible undergraduates across the university.