Teaching Gifted Learners in PreK-12 Education Certificate

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This certificate prepares teachers and administrators to lead the development, implementation, and supervision of gifted education curriculum and programming that equitably serves talented learners. Candidates will build specialized knowledge, from shaping instructional strategies to creating research-based program options, that encourages gifted learners to reach their full potential.

The key objectives for the Teaching Gifted Learners in PreK-12 Education Certificate are to:

Develop educators’ understanding of the field of gifted education;
Prepare teachers and administrators to make research-based decisions in developing programs and curriculum for gifted students;
Prepare teachers and administrators to teach gifted students;
Increase educator appreciation of the wide range of giftedness and the issues in identifying and serving gifted students from diverse populations; and
Strengthen and enhance leadership capacity in the field of gifted education.

This certificate program provides the didactic coursework necessary to satisfy the pedagogical content coursework component of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Gifted Education endorsement. The program does provide the experiential requirement for the endorsement. To obtain the VDOE Gifted Education endorsement, graduates of the certificate program need to complete a 45-hour practicum or one year of teaching under the guidance of a mentor teacher endorsed in Gifted Education. The 45-hour practicum is offered through this certificate program.

This certificate program does not satisfy initial teaching licensure requirements.

Program Requirements

This program requires 12 credits of graduate coursework.

Required Courses

EDIS 5770 - Social, Emotional, and Counseling Issues in Talent Development Credits: 3
EDIS 7220 - Intro to the Gifted Credits: 3
EDIS 7250 - Models and Strategies for Teaching the Gifted Credits: 3
EDIS 7230 - Curriculum for the Gifted and Talented Credits: 3
OR
EDIS 5080 - Differentiating Instruction Credits: 3

Transfer Credits

Students may transfer in up to three (3) credits of equivalent graduate coursework, provided they attained a minimum of a B- in the course; the coursework is no older than five (5) years at the completion of the certificate; and has been approved by the academic advisor.

Public Professional Licensure Disclosure

UVA participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), which establishes comparable national standards for interstate postsecondary distance education without additional regulatory authorization from member states. SARA also provides limited authorization to place students in supervised field experiences. Except for California all U. S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S Virgin Islands participate in SARA. Although California does not participate in SARA, it allows students to enroll in out-of-state programs. Additional information is available on the NC-SARA website.

Upon completion of the Teaching Gifted Learners in Prek-12 Education Certificate at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates are eligible for an add-on endorsement in Virginia.

Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).