For Educators: Gifted Ed. Degree Programs

Organizations: National

Institute for the Development of Gifted Education (Denver, CO)

As part of the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver, the Institute supports practice, conducts research, develops publications, serves the community, expands gifted education at the University level, and leads professional development. Through the Morgridge College of Education, pre-service through doctoral level graduate training is offered in gifted education.

Jodie Mahony Center for Gifted Education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) (AR)

The Center for Gifted Education provides programs and services to talented students and their families, teachers, and administrators. The goals of the Center are: To provide graduate education for individuals interested in teaching talented youth and in assuming leadership positions in the field of gifted education; to provide professional development programs and services to educators who serve talented youth; and more. The organization also offers the Summer Laureate University for Youth (SLUFY), an educational program that provides unique learning experiences for high-ability students to explore and expand their talents and abilities. The program offers a variety of classes taught by a staff that includes graduate students seeking masters degrees in teaching the gifted and talented, certified master teachers, and other experts.

NEAG Center for Gifted Education & Talent Development – University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT)

The University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT is home to the Neag Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development, whose research studies focusing the needs of gifted and talented youth have received international attention for more than 40 years.

Schools & Programs: College Affiliated

Arizona State University (ASU) – Master Degree Programs with a Track in Gifted Education (Phoenix, AZ)

Arizona State University offers a Master of Education in Elementary Education degree with a track in Gifted Education and a Master of Education in Secondary Education degree with a track in Gifted Education.

Ashland University – Masters in Talent Development (Ashland, OH)

Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio offers a Master’s of Education in Talent Development as well as M.Eds. and license programs in other specialties. Ashland University’s Graduate Studies in Education was established in response to the needs expressed by teachers and administrators of the area.

Brigham Young University (BYU) – CITES Gifted & Talented Endorsement (Provo, UT)

The BYU-Public School Partnership’s Gifted and Talented Committee has developed a licensure program for teachers who want to teach Gifted and Talented classes in Utah. The program requires students to complete 16 semester hours of study and practica.

Center for Gifted Education and Teacher Enrichment at Whitworth College (Spokane, WA)

The Center for Gifted Education and Teacher Enrichment at Whitworth College is located in Spokane, Washington. The Center was established to offer graduate courses and to provide in-service, consultant aid and other practical resources. Explore our website and see what we have to offer — from a Master of Arts in Teaching degree with an Emphasis in Gifted and Talented, to a full complement of classes for teachers of the gifted, to helpful information for parents and students.

Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, VA)

The Center for Gifted Education at The College of William and Mary, a research and development center, was established in 1988. The Center provides services to educators, policy makers, graduate students, researchers, parents, and students in support of the needs of gifted and talented individuals. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, the Center has established a national reputation for excellence in research, curriculum development, and service. Several major grants, including funding from the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act, have provided significant support for the work of the Center.

Center for Gifted Studies and Talent Development – Ball State University (IN)

The Center for Gifted Studies and Talent Development, founded by Dr. Tracy L. Cross, is an organization that prepares educators to meet the academic needs of gifted students both in and outside of the regular classroom. The Center offers courses both on campus in the summer and statewide through the academic year over the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS) for teachers interested in obtaining the Endorsement in Gifted and Talented Education, and by offering special workshops for educators.

Cleveland State University – Gifted Education Endorsement Program (OH)

This school offers an endorsement program for licensure as a gifted intervention specialist, as well as a Curriculum and Foundations Master’s degree with an emphasis on gifted education that includes the license. Faculty in the Gifted and Talented Program have extensive experience teaching gifted and talented learners and directing programs for these students, in addition to having a broad understanding of the research that informs the field.

Curry School of Education – University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)

The University of Virginia Curry School of Education offers a range of courses and degrees in gifted education under the direction of nationally recognized faculty. While the Ph.D. in gifted education program is only available on grounds, the other programs can be completed fully online. Other programs include the Gifted Educaton Online Course Series, Gifted Learners in PreK-12 Education Certificate, and M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction – Online.

Duke University (Durham, NC) – Academically and Intellectually Gifted Licensure Program (AIG)

Teachers of exceptionally bright students in the Durham Public Schools will receive special training through a new collaboration between the school system and Duke University’s Program in Education and Talent Identification Program (TIP).

Estrella Mountain Community College – Gifted Education Endorsement Program (Avondale, AZ)

The Estrella Mountain Community College’s gifted education endorsement program is a six-course online program that gives teachers the ability to become endorsed. The Arizona Department of Education states that teachers whose main priority is educating gifted students must have gifted-education endorsement.

Gifted Education Online Master’s Degree: University of Missouri (Columbia, MO)

This online program was designed to meet the needs of practicing teachers who are seeking a master’s degree and/or certification in gifted education, and who already have initial teacher certification.

Gifted Education Resource Institute (GERI) – Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)

The Gifted Education Resource Institute (GERI) at Purdue University conducts research into the psychology of gifted and talented individuals and effective educational practices for high ability youth. Super Saturday and the GERI Summer Camps, GERI’s youth talent development programs, provide challenging learning opportunities and a healthy social environment to a diverse population of high ability children and teens.

High Point University – Evening Degree Program (High Point, NC)

High Point University (HPU) trains teachers for the add-on license in Academically/Intellectual Gifted (AIG). The courses leading to licensure in gifted education are extremely beneficial to any educator who seeks to learn more about the nature of accelerated learners and the methodologies most appropriate for maximizing their potential.

Hunter College Center for Gifted Studies and Education (New York, NY)

This organization focuses on creating activities for exceptionally gifted and talented children, teachers and parents. The Hunter College Center for Gifted Studies and Education offers a 12-credit graduate program for teachers pursuing the New York State Gifted Certificate Extension. This is necessary for teachers in New York who wish to teach gifted programming.

Indiana University Bloomington – Gifted and Talented License Program (Bloomington, IN)

The School of Education at Indiana University in Bloomington offers a unique, integrated, 15-hour gifted and talented academic and art license program for K-12 teachers, administrators, graduate students, and counselors. Five courses are required during two summers and are applicable for an Indiana License in Gifted and Talented Education. Courses may be taken without enrollment in the license program.

Indiana University Southeast (IUS) – Gifted Studies in Education Program (New Albany, IN)

The School of Education at IUS offers Master of Science degrees in Education with majors in Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and Counseling. They also offer a substantial number of graduate-level courses applicable to license renewal, master’s plus programs, or certification programs.

Judith Herb College of Education – Gifted and Talented Education (University of Toledo – OH)

The University of Toledo’s College of Education offers graduate programs focus on the nature and needs of Gifted, Talented and Creative individuals throughout the lifespan. Special emphasis is placed on balancing the Cognitive and Affective domains of knowledge and knowing in relation to the education and development of learners. The location of the university offers students opportunities to work with children/adults who have a wide range of abilities in a variety of school and non-school settings. Robert Arthur Schultz, Ph.D. is Professor of Gifted Education and Curriculum Studies.

Liberty University – Programs in Gifted Education (Lynchburg, VA)

Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, offers distance learning for programs in Gifted Education include Master of Education, Education Specialist, and Doctorate of Education. Course work for the Masters programs are offered in multiple delivery formats, including on-campus and off-campus options. Each of the programs require a minimum number of hours in the residential formats.

Millersville University (Millersville, PA) – Masters in Gifted Education

The Master of Education degree in Gifted Education at Millersville University is designed to provide the specialized knowledge needed by teachers and other educational personnel who work with gifted and able students (K-12). The M.Ed. in Gifted Education and Graduate Certificate are provided online in an asynchronous format designed to meet the needs of busy education professionals. The curriculum is appropriate for teachers whether they provide instruction in special programs for the gifted or teach in inclusive settings. Millersville University is also an approved provider of the Pennsylvania Gifted Endorsement.

Minnesota State University – College of Education (Mankato, MN)

The College of Education at Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minnesota offers several options at the graduate level for professionals seeking to further their education. They include Educational Specialist, Master of Science and certificate programs in Gifted Education as well as a Master of Science program in Teaching and Learning for Optimal Talent Development.

Muskingum College (New Concord, OH)

Muskingum College offers a Masters In Education degree called Intervention Specialist: Gifted and Talented. This program specializes in ages 5-21, (47-49 credit hours). It is a licensure program designed for individuals with a valid elementary certificate or an early or middle childhood license.

Northeastern Illinois University – Master of Arts in Gifted Education (Chicago, IL)

Northeastern Illinois University offers a Master of Arts in Gifted Education from the Department of Special Education. The program can be useful for teachers, program coordinators, counselors and more. Students have the option of taking evening or summer courses.

Northwestern University’s Advanced Teaching: The Gifted (Evanston, IL)

Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy now offers a gifted focus in its Advanced Teaching Program to help educators meet the unique needs of academically talented students.

Pacific University (Forest Grove, OR)

Pacific University, consistently recognized as one of America’s best colleges by U.S.News and World Report, is a private liberal arts institution with professional programs in education and health professions. Located 25 miles west of Portland, the college occupies 55 acres in downtown Forest Grove. Pacific strives to provide an education of exceptional quality in liberal arts and sciences and selected professional programs, in preparing students for service to a changing community, nation and world.

Rutgers University – Gifted Education Certificate Program (New Brunswick, NJ)

The Rutgers Gifted Education Program offers a suite of professional development and consulting services to: help educators and parents meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of gifted students; provide state-of-the-art professional development aligned with state and national guidelines for educators, counselors, and administrators; and, assist school districts in developing cost-effective ways to meet state mandates for gifted education assessment and programming. Rutgers also offers a offer a Gifted Education Conference designed for gifted educators who want to take a deep dive into best practices, learn about the latest research, and find inspiration to energize their work. The conference is held annually in mid-November.

Samford University – Gifted Certification Program (Birmingham, AL)

Samford University offers a Master of Science in Education with a Class A Certification in Gifted Education degree. This major is designed to prepare teachers to become gifted specialists (grades P-12). In addition, this major provides further preparation for general education teachers focusing on learning needs of gifted/high ability students.

Sierra Nevada College – Master’s with Gifted Education (GTED) Concentration (Incline Village, Las Vegas & Reno, NV)

Sierra Nevada College offers graduate level gifted and talented classes for educators. These classes may also be used towards an Master’s in Education with a concentration in Gifted & Talented degree.

Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Gifted & Talented Graduate Program (Dallas, TX)

Southern Methodist University offers four courses (12 graduate credits). Successful graduates of the GT program are prepared to take the Gifted and Talented TExES (Texas Examination for Educator Standards); those who pass the exam earn GT certification.

Teachers College at Columbia University – Gifted Education (New York, NY)

The Professional-certification Program in the Education of Gifted Students in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University, is designed for students who have graduated from an accredited teacher-education program and who hold an initial teaching certificate. Graduates of the program are recommended for the New York State certificate extension in Gifted Education and, by virtue of earning their M.A., qualify for New York State professional certification once they meet State experiential requirements.

Texas State University – Gifted and Talented Education (San Marcos, TX)

Supplementary certificates (formerly called Endorsements) are offered in addition to majors and specializations associated with the degree programs in Bilingual/Bicultural, Educational Diagnostician, Educational Reading Specialist, Gifted and Talented Education, and Special Education. Satisfactory performance on a State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) test is required for provisional or professional certificates in education.

University of Central Florida: Master degree program for gifted education (Orlando, FL)

This program option ensures that educators are prepared to provide accelerated academic opportunities for students with advanced educational needs, and offers a unique opportunity to earn a Gifted Education Certificate, which is an endorsement of the Florida Teaching Certificate. There are 5 courses, which educators can earn 15 credit hours towards a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. This program provides professional preparedness in accordance with the NCATE and the National Association for Gifted Children Standards for gifted education.

University of Connecticut Online Masters Degree (Storrs, CT)

The University of Connecticut offers a master’s degree emphasizing gifted and talented education which can be taken online. Students choosing this online option will take eight online courses and attend two two-week summer courses called Confratute at the Storrs campus.

University of Denver – Certificate in Gifted Education (Denver, CO)

The certificate is designed to be completed in approximately two years. Teachers completing the program would receive a graduate certificate in gifted education from the Morgridge College of Education and be prepared to take the Gifted Education PLACE Exam, a requirement for the endorsement.

University of Georgia – Gifted Endorsement (Athens, GA)

This is an add-on endorsement to a Georgia teaching certificate issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Endorsement courses are open to UGA graduate students; non-students may complete the program by applying to the UGA Graduate School for non-degree status.

University of Georgia – Gifted/Creative Education (GCE) Program (Athens, GA)

The mission of this program, located at the University of Georgia, is to advance knowledge about the attributes of giftedness and creativity within and across groups that may vary by age, culture, language and economics, and to promote the application of assessment principles, learning and developmental theories, teaching strategies, counseling strategies, and research methodology to the education of these gifted and creative individuals.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette – Masters in Gifted Education (LA)

This Masters in Gifted Education Education program provides a variety of experiences to support graduates in gaining and understanding the unique needs of gifted and talented students. It consists of 33 course hours and, upon completion, candidates are eligible to add gifted education to their teaching certificate in their certification area.

University of Northern Colorado (UNC) – Center for the Education & Study of Gifted, Talented, Creative Learners (Greeley, CO)

The purpose of the Center is to support and promote all aspects of gifted and talented education, including three summer programs for children and youth. Graduate level programs are offered for teachers in all content and grade levels as well as education and support to parents. There is also a program to earn a Masters degree in Special Education with Gifted and Talented emphasis.

University of South Florida College of Education – Online Gifted Education Program (Tampa, FL)

This online program offers a gifted endorsement (15 hours) and a master’s degree (36 hours). Features include an individualized practicum in the student’s district, a flexible program schedule, and a portfolio in lieu of comprehensive examinations. To help facilitate teachers’ lifelong learning, courses in the Gifted Education program are offered exclusivley through the Internet. People living in Academic Common Market States may qualify for in-state-tuition.

University of Southern Maine – M.S. in Abilities and Disabilities Studies: Gifted and Talented concentration (Portland, ME)

The Masters of Science in Abilities and Disabilities Studies, Gifted and Talented concentration, requires 36 credit hours of coursework. Besides fulfilling course requirements, students must complete a professional portfolio to graduate. The purpose of the portfolio is to provide an opportunity for students to reflect upon the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the Abilities and Disabilities Studies.

University of St. Thomas – Gifted, Creative & Talented Education (St. Paul, MN)

The University of St. Thomas offers a Master of Arts degree in Gifted, Creative and Talented Education. Taught by nationally-renowned instructors, teachers are provided the opportunity to learn instructional design, curriculum development and appropriate teaching strategies related to gifted education. Graduates of the program become trained leaders.

University of Wisconsin at Whitewater and Stevens Point – Gifted and Talented Teacher License (WI)

This program, offered by UW-Whitewater in cooperation with UW-Stevens Point, aims to equip teachers with the skills needed to educate gifted and talented students by offering a license for gifted and talented teachers, as well as a Master’s degree with Emphasis in Challenging Advanced Learners. This program also offers classes for a gifted coordinator license.

Western Carolina University – Special Education Graduate Program (Cullowhee, NC)

The Western Carolina University Special Education Program offers three types of post-baccalaureate degrees and programs: two graduate degrees, the Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) and the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), as well as an add-on Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) licensure program.

Western Kentucky University – MAE in Gifted Education (Bowling Green, KY)

The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Western Kentucky University offers the MAE – one leading to certification and the other with a research focus. The pathway leading to certification (Rank II and Gifted Endorsement) includes 18 graduate hours in gifted education and talent development. The pathway with a research focus has 21 graduate hours in gifted education and talent development. If an individual already has earned a master’s degree, the second pathway can be taken to earn a Rank I. Dr. Julia Roberts, Dr. Janet Tassell, and Dr. Toni Syzmanski teach the courses leading to the MAE.

Wilmington College (New Castle, DE)

Wilmington College is a small, private college in Delaware. Many of the students are adults who are seeking to improve their competitiveness in the job market or are preparing for a career change. The school recently adopted a Master of Education program in Instruction with a focus on Gifted and Talented learners. Completion of the four Gifted and Talented Education Courses will allow an educator to be certified by the State of Delaware as a Teacher of Gifted and Talented Students.

Websites & Other Media: Informational

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