Advanced Teaching: Certificate Program for The Gifted

As an alternative to the 15-course master's program, certified, experienced teachers and administrators may choose to pursue a six-course certificate program in The Gifted, which requires completion of the six core courses described in the program overview below.

Course of Study for Advanced Teaching: Certificate Program for The Gifted

MS_ED 440		Differentiating Instruction This course discusses differentiation strategies and resources to meet the needs of diverse students populations in the classroom. Students will learn how to assess characteristics of students within their classroom so as to create an optimal match between student and instruction; create differentiated curriculum units, design classroom learning environments conducive to differentiation; and establish management systems for a differentiated classroom. The primary goal of this course is to develop the ability to design differentiated units and implement differentiated instruction that is academically challenging to all learners.
MS_ED 441		Differentiating Instruction from an Advanced Perspective This course expands the exploration of differentiated instruction. Students will examine the research base behind instructional strategies and their efficacy with different types of learners. They will study assessment and accommodation/modification techniques from a cross-grade level, school and district perspective. Students will learn how to conduct action research for the purpose of improving instruction and student performance. The primary goal of this course is to develop expertise in implementing differentiation from a broader perspective beyond the classroom.
MS_ED 442		Theoretical Foundations of Creativity and Giftedness Topics in this foundations course include theories of creativity and giftedness; models of talent development; cognitive and social-emotional characteristics of gifted individuals; diverse populations of gifted learners; historical and current research in the field of gifted education.
MS_ED 443		Leadership and Advocacy This course explores educational leadership and advocacy for talent development in the local, state, and national arena. Course topics include: program design; service delivery models; equity issues; program evaluation; resource development; community outreach; professional development and involvement; organizational change and development; and advocacy at school, district, state, and national levels.
MS_ED 444		Practicum and Seminar 40-hour practicum with diverse learners. Practicum seminar provides the opportunity for students to discuss their field experiences with the cohort and reflect on these experiences in light of research and educational theory.
MS_ED 445		The Gifted: Special Topics This course explores in depth critical issues in the fields of talent development and creativity.  A major focus is for students to identify an area of interest in which to read deeply and broadly, gaining perspectives from a variety of fields and areas of inquiry.