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Gifted Education/Talent Development & Advanced Instructional Practice, Specialist in Education

Gifted Education/Talent Development & Advanced Instructional Practice (0503)

  • Graduate
  • Specialist in Education
  • Education & Behavioral Science
  • Teacher Education, School of

Overview

The Specialist Degree in Gifted Education/Talent Development & Advanced Instructional Practice prepares leaders to research, understand and implement strategies, procedures, and policies that allow children and youth with gifts and talents to achieve their potential.  We will provide in-depth learning experiences to develop expertise in gifted education, talent development, and advanced instructional practices.

This program is designed to enhance advanced educators to become specialists who can positively impact student learning on a broader impact. Courses and experiences that include extending educator skills and specializing in areas of concentration, certification, endorsement, and/or certificate (as indicated in the concentration options).

The program is divided into two instructional components. The first component, specialist project (6 hours, EDU 699) and investigative methodology (6 hours from listed courses), provides 12 hours of study. The second component, the concentration, directs the candidate into an individual program in specialist content.

This program is exempt from the maximum of 12 hours denoted in the Duplication of Coursework policy.  All concentration hours may be duplicated on one additional graduate degree or certificate at the same level.

Concentrations:

  • Advanced Behavior Management (ABM)*
    • corresponding certificate #1736
  • Elementary Education (ELED)
  • Elementary Math Specialist (KEM)*
    • corresponding certificate #0485
    • endorsement KEM #132
  • Environmental Education (KEV)
    • endorsement KEV #132
  • Gifted and Talented P-12 (KE37)*
    • corresponding certificate #1764
    • endorsement KE37 #132
  • Instructional Computer Technology P-12 (KCT)
    • endorsement KCT #132
  • Instructional Design (INDE)*
    • corresponding certificate #0418
  • Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (KIE)
  • Library Media Education (KLM)
    • certification-only KLM #132
  • Literacy P-12 (ATEL)*
    • corresponding certificate #1750
    • endorsement #132
  • Middle Education (MGED)
  • Secondary Education (SEC)
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (KE36)*
    • corresponding certificate #0416
    • endorsement KE36 #132
  • Individualized Concentration (Endorsements/certification only or another combination of courses) (GATC)
*|<p><span style="font-family:open sans,-apple-system,system-ui,blinkmacsystemfont,segoe ui,roboto,helvetica neue,arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-variant-caps:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400">Concentrations that also lead to a certificate will require students to submit an application for admission to the corresponding certificate program.&#160;</span></p>

Program Admission

Applicants must have a master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education or an equivalent international institution of higher education. The applicant must have a 3.0 grade-point-average in the master’s program.

Graduate Studies Admission

Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate Studies admission requirements.

Program Requirements (30 hours)

The program is divided into two instructional components. The first component, specialist project (6 hours, EDU 699) and investigative methodology (6 hours from listed courses), provides 12 hours of study. The second component, the concentration, directs the candidate into an individual program in specialist content.  Students should consult with their advisors regarding course work to meet their professional goals.

Course List
Required Courses
EDU 699Specialist Project6
Choose 6 hours of Investigative Methodology:6
GTE 636
Issues in Gifted Education and Talent Development
GTE 637
Seminar in Gifted Education and Talent Development
EDFN 500
Research Methods
EDU 695
Advanced Topics in Education
Concentration and Elective Courses18-27
Total Hours30-39

Advanced Behavior Management Concentration (ABM) (15 hours)

Course List
Required Courses12
Concentration Courses
SPED 501Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis3
EDU 502Positive Learning Environment3
or SPED 502 Positive Behavior Supports
SPED 503Behavior Assessment3
SPED 504Instruction to Improve Behavior3
SPED 505Ethics Surrounding Behavior Issues3
Elective3
Any course with prefix EDU, GTE, ELED, LITE, ID, IECE, SEC, LTCY, MGE, SPED, ENVE, TCHL, REC, CNS, SLP, SWRK, AGRI, AGEC, RSA, GEOS, HIST, ENG, PS, GEOG, MATH, PSY, BIO, CHEM, PHYS, FACS, ECON, EDAD, ADED, EDFN, LEAD: 4XXG, 5XX, 6XX, 7XX
Total Hours30

Elementary Education (ELED) (15 hours)

Course List
Required Courses12
ELED 503Organization of Elementary School Curriculum3
ELED 505Mat/Meth/Math/El Teach3
ELED 506Seminar in Elementary School Science3
ELED 507Advanced Materials and Methods in Social Studies3
LTCY 519Literacy Development and Instruction3
Elective3
Any course with prefix EDU, GTE, ELED, LITE, ID, IECE, SEC, LTCY, MGE, SPED, ENVE, TCHL, REC, CNS, SLP, SWRK, AGRI, AGEC, RSA, GEOS, HIST, ENG, PS, GEOG, MATH, PSY, BIO, CHEM, PHYS, FACS, ECON, EDAD, ADED, EDFN, LEAD: 4XXG, 5XX, 6XX, 7XX
Total Hours30

Elementary Math Specialist Concentration (KEM) (15 hours)

Course List
Required Courses12
Concentration Courses
ELED 571Leadership, Math and Technology Education3
ELED 572Math and Technology Methods for Diverse Learners3
ELED 573Math and Technology Assessment3
Choose 2 of 3:6
MATH 411G
Problem Solving for Elementary and Middle Grades Teachers
MATH 507
Number Systems for Elementary and Middle Grades Teachers
MATH 508
Rational Number Concepts for Elementary and Middle Grades Teachers
Elective3
Any course with prefix EDU, GTE, ELED, LITE, ID, IECE, SEC, LTCY, MGE, SPED, ENVE, TCHL, REC, CNS, SLP, SWRK, AGRI, AGEC, RSA, GEOS, HIST, ENG, PS, GEOG, MATH, PSY, BIO, CHEM, PHYS, FACS, ECON, EDAD, ADED, EDFN, LEAD: 4XXG, 5XX, 6XX, 7XX
Total Hours30

Environmental Education (KEV) (12 hours)

Course List
Required Courses12
ENVE 520Introduction to Environmental Education3
ENVE 580Instructional Strategies in Environmental Education3
Select 6 hours from the following:6
ENVE 585
Special Topics in Environmental Education
EDU 570
Educational Assessment for P-12 Learners
RSA 532
Environmental Education Resources
REC 434G
Environmental Interpretation
GEOS 507
Geographic Concepts and Skills for Teachers
Elective6
Any course with prefix EDU, GTE, ELED, LITE, ID, IECE, SEC, LTCY, MGE, SPED, ENVE, TCHL, REC, CNS, SLP, SWRK, AGRI, AGEC, RSA, GEOS, HIST, ENG, PS, GEOG, MATH, PSY, BIO, CHEM, PHYS, FACS, ECON, EDAD, ADED, EDFN, LEAD: 4XXG, 5XX, 6XX, 7XX
Total Hours30

Gifted and Talented Education (KE37) (12 hours)

Course List
Required Courses12
GTE 536Nature and Needs of Gifted, Creative, and Talented Students3
GTE 537Curriculum, Strategies, and Materials for Gifted Students3
PSY 432GPsychology of the Gifted and Creative3
GTE 538Practicum for Teachers of Gifted Students3
Electives6
Any course with prefix EDU, GTE, ELED, LITE, ID, IECE, SEC, LTCY, MGE, SPED, ENVE, TCHL, REC, CNS, SLP, SWRK, AGRI, AGEC, RSA, GEOS, HIST, ENG, PS, GEOG, MATH, PSY, BIO, CHEM, PHYS, FACS, ECON, EDAD, ADED, EDFN, LEAD: 4XXG, 5XX, 6XX, 7XX
Total Hours30

Instructional Computer Technology (KCT) (12 hours)

Course List
Required Courses12
LITE 535Survey of Educational Technology Practices3
LITE 537Educational Technology Management3
LITE 508Informatics in Education3
Select 3 hours from the following:6
LITE 545
Educational Technology Production
LITE 547
Integration of Educational Technology
LITE 550
Emerging Technology in Education
LITE 737
Educational Technology Leadership
Electives3
Any course with prefix EDU, GTE, ELED, LITE, ID, IECE, SEC, LTCY, MGE, SPED, ENVE, TCHL, REC, CNS, SLP, SWRK, AGRI, AGEC, RSA, GEOS, HIST, ENG, PS, GEOG, MATH, PSY, BIO, CHEM, PHYS, FACS, ECON, EDAD, ADED, EDFN, LEAD: 4XXG, 5XX, 6XX, 7XX
Total Hours30

Instructional Design (INDE) (12 hours)

Course List
Required Courses12
ID 560Instructional Design Foundations3
ID 570Systematic Instructional Design3
Select 6 hours from the following:6
ID 572
Improvement Analysis in the Workplace
ID 575
Special Topics in Instructional Design
ID 577
Management of Instructional Systems
ID 583
Training Design and Development
ID 585
Distance Education Opportunities and Challenges
ID 587
Trends and Issues in Instructional Design
ID 588
Multimedia Design
ID 590
Practicum in Instructional Design
Electives6
Any course with prefix EDU, GTE, ELED, LITE, ID, IECE, SEC, LTCY, MGE, SPED, ENVE, TCHL, REC, CNS, SLP, SWRK, AGRI, AGEC, RSA, GEOS, HIST, ENG, PS, GEOG, MATH, PSY, BIO, CHEM, PHYS, FACS, ECON, EDAD, ADED, EDFN, LEAD: 4XXG, 5XX, 6XX, 7XX
Total Hours30

Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (KIE) (15 hours)

Course List
Required Courses12
IECE 521Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education3
IECE 523Planning Curriculum and Instruction in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education3
IECE 524Internship in Early Childhood Special Education3
SPED 523Curriculum/Methods in Early Childhood Special Education3
SLP 517Normal Language Development3
Electives3
Any course with prefix EDU, GTE, ELED, LITE, ID, IECE, SEC, LTCY, MGE, SPED, ENVE, TCHL, REC, CNS, SLP, SWRK, AGRI, AGEC, RSA, GEOS, HIST, ENG, PS, GEOG, MATH, PSY, BIO, CHEM, PHYS, FACS, ECON, EDAD, ADED, EDFN, LEAD: 4XXG, 5XX, 6XX, 7XX
Total Hours30

Library Media Education, Certification-Only (KLM) (27 hours)

Course List
Required Courses The Library Media Education, Certification-Only Program (KLM) varies depending on prior coursework.3-12
LITE 501Program Organization3
LITE 506Organization of Information3
LITE 508Informatics in Education3
LITE 512Issues in Libraries, Informatics, and Technology in Education3
LITE 518Advanced Children's Literature and Collections3
LITE 527Advanced Young Adult Literature and Collections3
LITE 535Survey of Educational Technology Practices3
LITE 537Educational Technology Management3
LITE 590Practicum in Libraries, Informatics, and Technology in Education3
Electives0-3
Any course with prefix EDU, GTE, ELED, LITE, ID, IECE, SEC, LTCY, MGE, SPED, ENVE, TCHL, REC, CNS, SLP, SWRK, AGRI, AGEC, RSA, GEOS, HIST, ENG, PS, GEOG, MATH, PSY, BIO, CHEM, PHYS, FACS, ECON, EDAD, ADED, EDFN, LEAD: 4XXG, 5XX, 6XX, 7XX
Total Hours30-42

Literacy P-12 (ATEL) (15 hours)

Course List
Required Courses12
LTCY 519Literacy Development and Instruction3
LTCY 523Assessment and Intervention of Reading and Writing3
LTCY 524Content Area and Disciplinary Literacy3
LTCY 527Diversity and Equity in Literacy Education3
LTCY graduate elective course3
Electives3
Any course with prefix EDU, GTE, ELED, LITE, ID, IECE, SEC, LTCY, MGE, SPED, ENVE, TCHL, REC, CNS, SLP, SWRK, AGRI, AGEC, RSA, GEOS, HIST, ENG, PS, GEOG, MATH, PSY, BIO, CHEM, PHYS, FACS, ECON, EDAD, ADED, EDFN, LEAD: 4XXG, 5XX, 6XX, 7XX
Total Hours30

Middle Grades Education (MGE) (15 hours)

Course List
Required Courses12
MGE graduate courses15
Electives3
Any course with prefix EDU, GTE, ELED, LITE, ID, IECE, SEC, LTCY, MGE, SPED, ENVE, TCHL, REC, CNS, SLP, SWRK, AGRI, AGEC, RSA, GEOS, HIST, ENG, PS, GEOG, MATH, PSY, BIO, CHEM, PHYS, FACS, ECON, EDAD, ADED, EDFN, LEAD: 4XXG, 5XX, 6XX, 7XX
Total Hours30

Secondary Education (SEC) (15 hours)

Course List
Required Courses12
SEC graduate courses15
Elective3
Any course with prefix EDU, GTE, ELED, LITE, ID, IECE, SEC, LTCY, MGE, SPED, ENVE, TCHL, REC, CNS, SLP, SWRK, AGRI, AGEC, RSA, GEOS, HIST, ENG, PS, GEOG, MATH, PSY, BIO, CHEM, PHYS, FACS, ECON, EDAD, ADED, EDFN, LEAD: 4XXG, 5XX, 6XX, 7XX
Total Hours30

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (KE36) (16-22 hours)

Course List
Required Courses12
ENG 407GLinguistic Analysis3
ENG 408GPsycholinguistics and Sociolinguistics3
ENG 565Integrated Teaching English as a Second Language3
ENG 566Seminar in Teaching English as a Second Language3
ENG 471GTESL Practicum4
Electives2-3
Any course with prefix EDU, GTE, ELED, LITE, ID, IECE, SEC, LTCY, MGE, SPED, ENVE, TCHL, REC, CNS, SLP, SWRK, AGRI, AGEC, RSA, GEOS, HIST, ENG, PS, GEOG, MATH, PSY, BIO, CHEM, PHYS, FACS, ECON, EDAD, ADED, EDFN, LEAD: 4XXG, 5XX, 6XX, 7XX
Total Hours30-31

Individualized Concentration (Endorsements/certification only or another combination of courses) (GATC) (15 hours)

Course List
Required Courses12
Individualized Concentration Coursework The coursework to be determined in consultation with advisor.18
Any course with prefix EDU, GTE, ELED, LITE, ID, IECE, SEC, LTCY, MGE, SPED, ENVE, TCHL, REC, CNS, SLP, SWRK, AGRI, AGEC, RSA, GEOS, HIST, ENG, PS, GEOG, MATH, PSY, BIO, CHEM, PHYS, FACS, ECON, EDAD, ADED, EDFN, LEAD: 4XXG, 5XX, 6XX, 7XX
Total Hours30
Modality: Advanced Behavior Management, Elementary Education, Elementary Math Specialist, Instructional Computer Technology, Instructional Design, and Literacy P-12 are fully online. Environmental Education is hybrid. All other concentrations are fully online with internship.

 

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 Last Modified 5/31/26