Urban Catholic Teacher Corps

Urban Catholic Teacher Corps

TCS

Teaching, Curriculum, and Society

Founded in 1997, the Urban Catholic Teacher Corps (UCTC) actively engages in the ministry of teaching in the schools of the Archdiocese of Boston. UCTC provides an academically rigorous and experientially rich urban Catholic teacher preparation based on the 500-year-old Jesuit tradition of formative education.听

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Key Features

Mentor support

Receive teaching support from an assigned mentor, supervisor, and instructional coach.

Intentional community living

Live with fellow UCTC participants in a faith-based community, where faith is embraced, individuals are supported, and diverse experiences are valued. Build a strong support system and share in the journey with like-minded individuals that UCTC covers.

Individual faith formation opportunities

UCTC offers participants the opportunity for weekly faith sharing, three retreats a year, spiritual direction, and pilgrimages.

Monthly stipend and free housing

Receive a $600 non-service stipend payment each month over the two years of your participation in the program. In addition,听UCTC covers all rent and utilities in the required UCTC community housing.

Tuition remission

UCTC covers the cost of the 30 credit hours for the Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College.

Experience in the classroom

Gain continuous support and growth as an exceptional urban Catholic school educator through coursework, teaching placements in Boston Catholic Schools, workshops, reflections, and more.

Why UCTC is right for you?

Charlie and UCTC talking


UCTC provides exclusive educational opportunities for early career professionals exploring a vocation in Catholic education, collaborating with mission-centered Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Boston. We provide opportunities for individuals with and without teaching experience.听

Embark on a transformative journey by earning a master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction while actively teaching in partner Catholic schools for two years. This immersive experience aims to recruit and retain diverse educators, introducing them to the fulfilling work in Catholic school settings.

Students who have completed a year in the Urban Catholic Teacher Corps are able to apply for dual degree programs throughout their educational journey. Students may choose to complete a third year of their program while pursuing听 a dual degree in the following areas:

Curriculum

The UCTC Curriculum & Instruction M.Ed. is a 10-course, 30-credit program of study. Approximately half of the courses are taken as a UCTC cohort.听Each student's program of study will be determined upon admission to the program. Requirements vary based on education and work background.

Requirements

  • Courses: 10
  • Credits: 30
  • Comprehensive Exam

Program of Study

UCTC by the numbers

32

UCTC members

17

Schools served

2,149

Students served

3

Community houses

Who We Are

Charles Cownie, J.D., Ph.D.
Charles Cownie, J.D., Ph.D.
 Director
 Director of Catholic Teacher Formation, Co-Director of Jesuit Education in a Global World M.Ed.
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Charles Cownie, J.D., Ph.D.

Charles Cownie, J.D., Ph.D.

Director

Director of Catholic Teacher Formation, Co-Director of Jesuit Education in a Global World M.Ed.

Hometown:听Honolulu, HI

Undergraduate Institution and Major:听Santa Clara University, History (Focus in teaching)

Graduate Institution and Area of Study:听Seton Hall University (EPICS), Master of Arts in Education (Focus in Catholic Education)

Doctoral Studies:听Loyola Law, Juris Doctor (Focus in Public Interest Law); Boston College, Ph.D. in Higher Education

Specializations:听Catholic Education; Catholic School Teacher Formation; Jesuit Education; Jesuit Higher Education; Student Formation; Models of Teaching and Learning in Catholic Schools听

Work with UCTC:听Charlie finds the work of student formation in the Jesuit tradition to be a ministry. Despite the challenges of this ministry, he has found accompanying UCTC members in their formative journey through their time in UCTC and beyond to be a gift. Charlie notes that "Working with UCTC allows me to fully utilize my education and work experience in a ministry that I am tremendously passionate about: the ministry of Catholic education in general and the formation of Catholic school teacher in particular. Additionally, being able to engage in this ministry in a place like the Lynch School with such a special and essential mission is truly a blessing."
Cristina Hunter
Cristina Hunter
 Assistant Director
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Cristina Hunter

Cristina Hunter

Assistant Director

Hometown:听Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

Undergraduate Institution and Major:听Boston College, Elementary Education and Human Development

Graduate Institution and Area of Study:听New York University, Educational Psychology

Doctoral Studies:听Boston College, Ph.D. in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology

Specializations:听Catholic Education; Catholic Teacher Formation; Culturally Responsive Pedagogy; Linguistically Responsive Education; Dual Language Learning in Catholic Schools

Work with UCTC:听Prior to working with UCTC, Cristina served as the Associate Director of Research Initiatives for the Roche Center for Catholic Education where she worked on multiple program initiatives including the TWIN-CS network. Cristina鈥檚 doctoral and post-doctoral research has focused on the experiences of Latino migrants in the United States with a specific emphasis on dual language development. Additionally, Cristina completed a post-doctoral research fellowship on a collaborative study between Boston College and Tufts University examining character development in youth. Cristina also co-edited听Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Education: Designing Networks That Transform Schools.听She finds her work with UCTC to be a natural extension of her efforts to research and support Catholic models of teaching and learning that support the marginalized and excluded.听
Myra Rosen-Reynoso, M.Ed., Ph.D.
Myra Rosen-Reynoso, M.Ed., Ph.D.
 Research Director
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Myra Rosen-Reynoso, M.Ed., Ph.D.

Myra Rosen-Reynoso, M.Ed., Ph.D.

Research Director

Hometown:听Massachusetts

Undergraduate Institution and Major:听Georgetown University, Fine Arts

Graduate Institution and Area of Study:听Harvard University, Human Development

Doctoral Studies:听Boston College, Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology

Specializations:听Qualitative Research; Health Care; Catholioc Education; Educational Equity; Critical Theory; Urban Catholic Education

Work with UCTC:听Myra enjoys the research UCTC is conducting because it has broad lines of inquiry for the purposes of ensuring an excellent and equitable education for the students served by urban Catholic schools.
Audrey Friedman
Audrey Friedman
 Academic and Research Coordinator
 Retired Associate Professor of Teaching, Curriculum, and Society
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Audrey Friedman

Audrey Friedman

Academic and Research Coordinator

Retired Associate Professor of Teaching, Curriculum, and Society

Hometown:听Massachusetts

Undergraduate Institution and Major:听University of Massachusettes, Amherst, Zoology, Secondary Education, and English

Graduate Institution and Area of Study:听University of Massachusettes, Boston, Critical & Creative Thinking; Univesity of Pennsylvania, Reading & Language Arts

Doctoral Studies:听Boston College, Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction

Specializations:听Instructional Methods; Curriculum Design; Catholic Social Teacher; Student Formation; English Teaching Methods; Science Teaching Methods

Work with UCTC:听Audrey has worked in urban education as a practitioner, coach, administrator, advisor, and researcher for the last five decades. She has published more than 20 peer-reviewed articles as well as several books and chapters. Her most recent research and publications, focus on how urban Catholic educators discern vocation, enact Catholic social teachings, and develop lives of meaning and purpose. Her work with college student and educators focused on how they make reflective judgments about ill-defined moral-cognitive dilemmas that pervade teaching, learning, and living. She has served as the PI of more than $2,000,000 in grants. Dr. Friedman has also received several awards including Professor of the Year for the State of Massachusetts awarded by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the听Golden Eagle Award for Outstanding Teaching at Boston College, Teacher of the Year for Boston College given by Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society, the Mary Kaye Waldron Award for service to students, the Boston Higher Education Partnership Award, and the Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching at Boston College. Audrey has worked with UCTC for the last 5 years and believes that UCTC is rich in 鈥済ood soil, faithful people,鈥� and hearts and minds committed to respecting the dignity of all persons, developing genuine community, and cultivating the best in humankind, and is blessed to be in such a garden!鈥�

Connect With Us

“It took less than two years for Boston to become my home and the UCTC community to become my family. Although UCTC is technically only a two-year program, its positive impact will forever remain with me. Living in a faith-based intentional community provided support and love to cope with the balancing act of grad school and the first two years of teaching.”
Anne Heller, UCTC Alumna, Cohort 14

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Application & Deadline

How to apply

  • On the听Lynch School of Education and Human Development听application page, apply to the听master鈥檚 program in听Curriculum and Instruction.
  • On the Lynch School application form under the 鈥淎cademic Information鈥� section, where it asks, 鈥淎re you applying to a specialty program?鈥� select "Urban Catholic Teacher Corps" from the drop down menu.
  • The Lynch School waives the application fee for UCTC applicants. Applicants to UCTC do not need to take the GRE.听

Deadlines

All applications are due January 4

Interview

Every UCTC candidate who completes an application will be offered an interview, which will be scheduled听after you have successfully applied to and have been accepted by the Lynch School of Education and Human Development.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required, with one coming from each of the following:

  • An academic source (e.g. a faculty member)
  • A professional source (i.e. a supervising teacher or volunteer supervisor)
  • A spiritual source (e.g. a pastoral counselor or a campus minister)

Offer

Candidates of UCTC will be notified of their application status on approximately March 17.

  • At that time candidates are either offered admission to the program (including notification of placement school, community house, and important program information), offered a place on the waitlist, or not offered a position in the program.听
  • After receiving offers of placement, candidates are normally given 72 hours in order to confirm or they will be moved to the waitlist and a candidate on the waitlist is offered a position.听
  • Well-qualified candidates who are not able to be offered a position, but are admitted to the Lynch School, are supported in identifying full-time teaching opportunities in the Archdiocese of Boston.

Requirements

Admission to the Lynch School of Education and Human Development (Curriculum & Instruction)

Before being admitted to UCTC, candidates must first be accepted to the master of education program in Curriculum & Instruction at Boston College鈥檚 Lynch School of Education and Human Development. UCTC will review candidates prior to notification of acceptance to the Lynch School; however, final decisions cannot be made regarding any candidates for UCTC until the Lynch School has made all admissions decisions.

Vocation to teach in Catholic schools

Successful candidates to UCTC have discerned a desire to teach in Catholic schools serving urban students and see teaching in this setting as a life calling.

Desire to live in an intentional faith-based community and to grow in one鈥檚 own faith

Community living is a required component of program participation. UCTC members live, learn, and actively support each other throughout the two-year commitment. All participants must have a desire and be willing to commit themselves to focusing on their own continued faith formation.

Commitment to discerning a career in Catholic education and/or previous听supervised teaching experience

UCTC offers a unique educational opportunity for听individuals with and without previous background in education.听Members typically听have some experience in education or Catholic theology听and/or completed a semester of full-time student teaching or a year of supervised teaching, but it is听not required听to be qualified for the听UCTC program.听A practicum in a Catholic school is required to make UCTC听members eligible for initial licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (For more information on eligibility for initial state licensure, visit the Commonwealth of Mass. Department of Education Licensure page)

Eligibility for Massachusetts initial licensure听

For more information on eligibility for initial licensure in MA, visit the听听webpage.

Visit

Though not required of any applicant, a visit to Boston College, the UCTC schools, and the UCTC residence gives potential applicants the greatest sense of what their life will be like as a UCTC volunteer.听

Doctoral Fellowship

For information听on the Urban Catholic Teacher Corps Doctoral听Fellowship, please contact听Dr. Charlie Cownie.听

FAQ

When does the program start and end?

For those placed in Boston/Brockton or Lawrence the program begins in June and participants will complete their Master鈥檚 degree by the end of June two years later.

What graduate program should I apply for in the Lynch School?

Applicants must apply for, and be accepted to, the M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction; please note UCTC as your Special Program.

If I am admitted to the Lynch School and UCTC, how much tuition will be covered by the program?

If you are admitted to the Lynch School and the UCTC program, UCTC covers tuition for your Master's degree (UCTC members are responsible for all University fees, including the confirmation deposit).

Can I apply if I don鈥檛 have an undergraduate degree or concentration/minor in education?

YES, you can apply if you do not have an undergraduate degree or concentration/minor in education as long as you have a clear discernment for serving in the Catholic community.听

In previous years, Corps members usually had a bachelor鈥檚 degree with either a major, minor, or concentration in education and/or completed a semester of full-time student teaching or a year of supervised teaching. These requirements made members eligible for initial licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (For more information on eligibility for initial state licensure, visit the Commonwealth of Mass. Department of Education Licensure page). As of Fall 2023, UCTC now offers tracks for individuals with and without previous background in education. Please note that your previous educational experience will determine the program of study a student will follow in the UCTC program.

Where will I teach? Can I choose where and what I will teach?

UCTC participants teach in schools throughout the Archdiocese of Boston. UCTC teachers work in Pre-K through 12th grade. Upon offer of admission, candidates will be notified of school placement, though not of grade level teaching.

What does 鈥渓iving in intentional community鈥� really mean?

Participants live in the UCTC community residence with the other program members. Living in intentional community means pooling your resources to purchase food and other necessities. UCTC provides internet through 香蕉秀-secured WiFi. Dinner is eaten together as a community on Monday through Thursday nights and the community gathers weekly for faith sharing. The community makes a commitment to spend some free time together.

What will I get paid? For what expenses will I be responsible?

You will receive a modest living stipend from the program. Your tuition, rent, and utilities will be paid. You will be responsible for personal expenses, including food, personal travel, text books, and car expenses.

If I have student loans from the past, can I get them deferred or forgiven by the UCTC?

Federal loans (Stafford and Perkins) may be deferred because you are a graduate student.听 Any private loans you have may or may not be eligible for deferment. In order to confirm the eligibility of your loans for deferral, please contact your lender. You may also qualify for partial cancellation of Perkins loans depending on where and what you teach.

If I am in UCTC, do I need to have a car?

A car may make the commute to a placement easier; however, the UCTC house is located within a mile of the T, the commuter rail, and a number of bus stops.

What should I do if I have other questions?

Please contact UCTC at 617-552-0602 or听uctc@bc.edu.听

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Department

TCS

Teaching, Curriculum, and Society

Contact Us

Charles Cownie
Director,听Catholic Teacher Formation

听 uctc@bc.edu
听 617-552-0602

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