FAQs
Quick Facts about the Institute for Urban Education:
- IUE’s Fall 2022 cohort represents the most racially, ethnically and culturally diverse group to enter the program, and exceeds national norms around teacher identity:
- 75% of IUE students identify as future teachers of color
- 24% of IUE students identify as male
- In the Fall of 2022, the IUE welcomed its largest cohort of 34 students
- 90% of IUE graduates are still teaching at or beyond their 5-year mark in the field of education.
- In 18 years, the IUE has successfully graduated 14 cohorts of teachers
- 85% of all IUE graduates still work in education today.
For Future Undergraduate Students
The application process for admission to the IUE begins with a simple online application form that will take you just a few minutes. Once submitted, you will hear from an IUE team member who will provide you next steps, which include Part II of the written application and an interview with IUE staff.
Our scholarships are robust, and we have scholarships available for both undergraduate and graduate students. For undergraduate students, scholarships range between $5,000 and $15,000 dollars per year. Individual scholarships amounts are determined based on candidate eligibility.
The IUE is not separate from the School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences but housed within it. The IUE is a cohort scholarship program that provides students who are interested in teaching within KC’s urban schools upon graduation with robust scholarship while studying at UMKC to be teachers. The IUE also provides programming for its students that prepare them to be exemplary teachers in urban schools, and we have more than a decade of great success. Teacher Preparation »
Yes! If you are looking to teach in a middle school or high school, you can absolutely apply to the IUE. We have scholarships specifically available for students who are in this pathway. If you are interested in teaching middle school or high school, you will major in an academic content area (e.g., math) and take education courses as part of the 4+1 program, in which you earn your bachelor’s degree in an academic content area and then complete a master’s degree with teacher certification in your 5th year. Master of Arts in Teaching »
Yes! IUE scholarships are available for any student planning to teach in Kansas City, including students who want to teach in either an early childhood setting (birth-to-grade 3) or an elementary setting (grades 1-6). As well, students interested in teaching special education at any level (K-12) are also eligible to apply to the IUE. Elementary, Early Childhood and Special Education programs are available as undergraduate majors. Undergraduate Programs »
For Graduate Students
Yes! The IUE has scholarships specifically designed for students who want to get certified and receive their master’s degree. The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program provides students a pathway towards initial certification in middle or high school content areas while earning a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree. Masters Program »
For graduate students, scholarships are packaged at $15,000-$20,000 total during MAT program completion. Individual scholarships amounts are determined based on candidate eligibility.
For the Philanthropic Community
The IUE began in 2005 and has been preparing exemplary teachers for urban schools ever since. We are the premier urban teacher preparation program in the region, and the only teacher preparation program that works with urban youth starting in high school, transitioning into college and teacher preparation and then continues supporting them as they return to the Kansas City community to teach. Our teacher retention rate (90% at 5 years) and job placement rate (100%) speak to the quality of our program. If you are looking to make a difference in our local urban schools, look no further. Contact Nathan Shields, Director of Philanthropic Giving – School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences, at nshields@umkc.edu or visit our support page to donate today.
We welcome all dollar amounts in support of our IUE Scholars, and your donation will help us produce more high-quality teachers serving within our urban communities. Please contact Nathan Shields, Director of Philanthropic Giving – School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences, at nshields@umkc.edu or visit our support page to learn more about options for supporting IUE Scholars.
We welcome your support and would not be able to do this meaningful work without you. Please contact Nathan Shields, Director of Philanthropic Giving – School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences, at nshields@umkc.edu or visit our support page to find out how you can help.
For School Leaders
There are a variety of ways in which you can connect with the IUE. Please contact Jen Fergerson at fergersonj@umke.edu to discuss. Teacher Support »
Our GYO program is unlike any other in the city. Our program is designed around building socially just, community responsive educators. To learn more or to discuss details, please contact Dr. Brad Poos at poosbw@umkc.edu. Grow Your Own »