Gifted and Talented Education Add-on

Recommended course sequence:

EDUC 791 – Foundations of Gifted and Talented Education (3 credits – summer)
This course is designed to provide an overview of the history as well as important issues and developments within the field of gifted education. The course is designed to provide an overview of: (1) the history and definitions in gifted education; (2) emphases on development, characteristics, and individual learning differences of students with gifts and talents; (3) identification strategies and program options in the field of gifted/talented education; and (4) NAGC Gifted Programming Standards; and (5) introduction to current literature.

EDUC 794 – Psychological Issues in Gifted Education (3 credits – summer)
This course addresses areas related to psychology and giftedness: social-emotional considerations for gifted students and counseling research. The course is designed to provide an overview of: (1) Supporting social, emotional, and psychosocial growth of gifted students; (2) creativity and creative thinking; (3) exploration of relevant issues and trends in the gifted education field; and (4) barriers in gifted education.

EDUC 792 – Curriculum and Methods for Teaching Gifted Students (3 credits – fall)
This course focuses on curriculum methods designed specifically for identified students with gifts and talents in specialized programs. The course is designed to provide an overview of: (1) Professional Preparation Standards for Gifted Educators; (2) instructional techniques: grouping, differentiation, enrichment; (3) acceleration and curriculum compacting; and (4) co-teaching, coaching and collaborating with classroom teachers.

EDUC 779 – Coordinating Gifted Education Programs and Services – 3 Credits

In alignment with the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Pre-K–Grade 12 Gifted Education Programming Standards, this course prepares students to understand, analyze, and apply the administrative, legal, educational, and advocacy responsibilities involved in coordinating district-level gifted and talented programming. Coursework includes targeted readings on gifted program design, implementation, and continuous improvement, along with an embedded practicum experience focused on systems-level leadership and program development.

Students will develop and implement a practicum project within their own district while collaborating with an experienced gifted program coordinator or school administrator. Project examples include creating district-wide professional development, developing a comprehensive program evaluation plan, and designing a strategic program plan for a specific district or school. All projects will be grounded in the NAGC Programming Standards and developed within the context of broader educational initiatives, including Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), diversity and multiculturalism, equity in identification and services, and the use of standardized and alternative assessments. Completion of this course allows students to serve as a district Gifted and Talented Coordinator.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of the three core gifted education licensure courses (EDUC 791, EDUC 792, and EDUC 794) or their standards-based equivalent.

Please note: This certificate is aligned to national gifted programming standards but is not affiliated with or issued in conjunction with Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) licensure. Completion of this course does not result in additional Wisconsin DPI licensing.

The United States Department of Education requires institutions that provide distance education to disclose information for programs leading to professional certification or licensure about whether each program meets state educational requirements for initial licensure or certification. Following is this disclosure information for this program:

• The requirements of this program meet Certification/Licensure in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
• The requirements of this program do not meet Certification/Licensure in the following states: American Samoa, Delaware, District of Columbia, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Massachusetts, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Note: If you live in a state or territory that does not meet certification/licensure requirements, contact the School of Education and we will investigate further.