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Master of Education in Gifted Education

Fostering Excellence and Diversity in Gifted Education

Take Your Career to the Next Level

What makes our CSU program special?

  • We are entirely online
  • Courses are asynchronous
  • We have faculty with international expertise in twice-exceptional education and faculty who are prior graduates of the program with deep experience in Ohio
  • Many of our graduates have gone on to build national reputations and contribute to gifted education
  • We are CSU, with a national reputation for urban education
  • We are located in Cleveland, home of the country's oldest public gifted education program for children
  • We offer additional expertise and opportunities in twice-exceptional and diversity education within gifted education
Teacher smiling with students
Teacher smiling with students
Girl working on laptop
Clock with graduate hat icon

Time to Complete

3-5 semesters

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Credits

Endorsement: 5 courses totaling 15 credits

Master’s Program: 10 courses totaling 30 credits

Help gifted students reach their potential

We know that you:

  • are passionate about identifying and developing children’s talents and abilities
  • want to know what children CAN do
  • want to help children "launch" into their career and further learning
  • believe that all children deserve to learn something new every day
  • believe that giftedness can be found in diverse schools, diverse students and expressed in diverse ways

Cleveland State University's online program in Gifted and Talented Learners is designed for previously certified/licensed teachers who are seeking any of the following:

  • An endorsement as an intervention specialist to teach gifted and talented learners - Now available in Fast Track format!
  • Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in gifted education
  • Professional development to improve their skills working with high-ability students

The multi-dimensional program is aligned with the teacher preparation standards from the National Association for Gifted Children and The Council for Exceptional Children, The Association for the Gifted and includes:

  • Training to better understand and meet the academic and social-emotional needs of diverse gifted learners (e.g., racially, culturally, linguistically, academically, and socially)
  • Developing the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to create high-quality curriculum and lesson plans based on best practices in the field
  • Collaborating with children's families and other professionals
  • Understanding the continuum of services from which teachers and schools can choose to meet the needs of gifted, talented, high achieving and high performing students in a variety of settings

Ohio rules, regulations, and policies for gifted education are built into the courses; however, we have designed the assignments to be flexible so that anyone working in a different state can successfully complete all their work using information from their state.

Teacher in front of classroom
Teacher in front of classroom

Learning Methodogy

Courses are 15 weeks and are asynchronous with optional weekly meetings. Program access requires familiarity with internet access, computer camera access, and word processing capabilities. The program is conducted through Blackboard and Zoom and many assignments require that you observe and gather data within a school or classroom setting. Course work is designed to prepare you to:

  • Recognize and nurture talents in diverse populations
  • Understand and support the educational growth of gifted students in the general classroom, special classes or special schools
  • Develop and adapt curriculum to advance and enrich content standards
  • Collaborate with families and other professionals
  • Create challenging and supportive environments for learning
  • Support the social and emotional learning of gifted students

Admissions Requirements

All students applying to the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction must:

Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Students must meet with an advisor to design a program of study.

Evidence of ONE of the following criteria:

  1. Your baccalaureate degree is less than six years old at the time of application AND your undergraduate cumulative grade point average was 2.75 or
  2. Your baccalaureate degree is more than six years old at the time of application AND your undergraduate cumulative grade point average was 3.00 or above OR
  3. You have completed the equivalent of 12 semester hours of CSU graduate coursework, including EDB 601, AND you received a grade of “B” or better in each course

    Courses

    Online courses are taught by experienced teachers, coordinators and researchers. Courses include audio and video content, including demonstrations of classroom practices. The practicum course includes face-to-face or virtual visits from a CSU instructor to the student's classroom.

    The M.Ed. in Gifted and Talented Learners includes:

    Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction Required Courses (24 credits total)

    Research and Inquiry (3 credits)
    CourseTitleCredits
    EDB 601Research in Education and Human Services3 Credits
    Human Development (3 credits)
    CourseTitleCredits
    EGT 512Introduction to Gifted Education3 Credits
    Theory and Practice (3 credits)
    CourseTitleCredits
    EGT 513Developing Curriculum for Learners with Gifts and Talents3 Credits
    Educational Policy, History, and Social Context (3 credits, select one)
    CourseTitleCredits
    EDB 604Social Issues and Education3 Credits
    EDB 606Philosophy and Education3 Credits
    EDB 608School and Society in the American Past3 Credits
    EDB 609Comparative and International Education3 Credits
    Gifted and Talented Learners Specialization (9 credits)
    CourseTitleCredits
    EGT 514Differentiating Instruction for Diverse Learners3 Credits
    EGT 518Programming and Services for Learners with Gifts and Talents3 Credits
    EGT 580Practicum in Gifted and Talented Education3 Credits
    Culminating Activity (3 credits)
    CourseTitleCredits
    EGT 582Action Research in Gifted Education3 Credits

    Electives (6 credits minimum)

    Gifted and Talented Learners (Choose 2 courses / 6 credits)
    CourseTitleCredits
    EDB 612Curriculum Theory and Instruction3 Credits
    EGT 517Creativity, Inquiry, and Productive Thinking3 Credits
    EGT 519Using Technology with Learners with Gifts and Talents3 Credits
    ETE 555Instructional Design3 Credits
    ETE 595Current Topics and Research in Educational Technology3 Credits
    Online Teaching Graduate Certification (7 credits)
    CourseTitleCredits
    ETE 690Designing Online Instruction3 Credits
    ETE 691eLearning Tools and Techniques3 Credits
    ETE 692Applications of Online Instruction1 Credit
    Computer and Technology Endorsement (12 credits)
    CourseTitleCredits
    ETE 570Technology in Learning Environments3 Credits
    ETE 571Technological Change in Schools3 Credits
    ETE 572Advancements in Educational Technology3 Credits
    ETE 573Innovation: Projects in Educational Technology3 Credits
    Data-Based Decision Making Advanced Graduate Certificate (12 credits)
    CourseTitleCredits
    EDB 701 OR EDB 572Advanced Educational Research OR Statistics for Health and Human Services3 Credits
    EDB 574 OR EDB 575Data-Based Classroom Instruction OR Data-Based Decision Making and Differentiation3 Credits
    EDB 704Interpreting Student Performance Data3 Credits
    EDB 711Educational Evaluation and Innovation3 Credits
    Early Childhood Generalist Endorsement (9 credits)
    CourseTitleCredits
    ECE 521Development and Education in Grades 4 & 53 Credits
    ECE 523Integrated Literacy and Social Studies Teaching in Grades 4 & 53 Credits
    ECE 525Mathematics and Science Instruction and Assessment in Grades 4 & 53 Credits

    Gifted Endorsement (15 Credits)

    The Gifted Endorsement includes:
    CourseTitleCredits
    EGT 512Introduction to Gifted Education3 Credits
    EGT 513Developing Curriculum for Learners with Gifts and Talents3 Credits
    EGT 514Differentiating Instruction for Diverse Learners3 Credits
    EGT 518Programming and Services for Learners with Gifts and Talents3 Credits
    EGT 580Practicum in Gifted and Talented Education3 Credits

    Fast Track Gifted Endorsement (15 Credits)

    The Fast Track Gifted Endorsement includes:

    SemesterCourseTitleCredits
    Summer - IntroductionEGT 512Introduction to Gifted Education3 Credits
    Fall - Teaching and CurriculumEGT 513Developing Curriculum for Learners with Gifts and Talents3 Credits
     EGT 514Differentiating Instruction for Diverse Learners3 Credits
    Spring - ProgrammingEGT 518Programming and Services for Learners with Gifts and Talents3 Credits
     EGT 580Practicum in Gifted and Talented Education3 Credits
    Woman smiling holding papers
    Woman smiling holding papers

    Tuition and Financial Aid

    Tuition and financial aid for CSU programs are kept competitive so you can receive the education you deserve. Tuition for online programs and courses follows the same fee structure as traditional, on-campus programs and courses. Current CSU Graduate tuition costs can be found on the Bursar’s website.

    Approximately 70% of CSU’s students receive some form of financial assistance. The University participates in or administers all the major federal and state grant and loan programs. In addition, CSU provides University grants and scholarships.

    To begin the financial aid process, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must file a FAFSA every year after January 1st to receive your financial aid. Cleveland State University’s financial aid school code is 003032.

    If you have any questions, visit the Financial Aid section of CSU’s website, or contact the Financial Aid office.

     

    Faculty

    Your instructors are…

    • National and international award winners in curriculum and twice-exceptional innovation
    • Former teachers and administrators of gifted programs in Ohio
    • Available
    • Supportive
    • Connected to the community
    CSU trees blooming
    CSU trees blooming

    Student Success Coaching

    At CSU, you will be paired with a Student Success Coach to support you on your journey from acceptance into a program to graduation. Coaches help with:

    • Time management
    • Study strategies
    • Focus techniques
    • Work-life balance
    • Academic support resources
    • Navigating University policies and procedures
    • Resolving issues and locating the right resources

    Student Success Coaches will reach out to you for a welcome call early in your program. Coaches can help you create an academic success plan with strategies and goals that will help you be successful. Student Success Coaches are available to you throughout your program. Student Success Coaches do not replace academic advisors or other counselors, but rather work as a team with them to provide you with all the right resources.

    Girl looking at her computer
    Girl looking at her computer
    Woman teaching

    Career Outcomes

    With a Master’s degree, or an endorsement to add on to your existing license, graduates are well prepared for leadership roles as a(n):

    • Gifted Intervention Specialist
    • Administration of gifted programs
    • School grade chair responsibilities for gifted learners

    CSU has allowed me to achieve what I thought would not be possible: to work full time while earning my gifted endorsement to better empower my own teaching philosophy and equip a teaching staff with knowledge and strategies on how to best serve this dynamic population. As a principal continuously looking to grow, the courses offered by CSU have challenged my thinking to be more inclusive of a gifted population and advocate on their behalf. Working through coursework at my schedule has been convenient, and I feel well-equipped to serve gifted students as a direct result from a gifted endorsement program that continues to be flexible and affordable. Promoting the Cleveland EDGE: Excellence and Diversity in Gifted Education is easy as this program will ultimately help my students become leaders within their areas of talent, explore curricular options that I did not know were available, and continue to advocate for the inclusion of students of all backgrounds in programming options.

    Nathan Stump
    Class of 2023

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I apply for the program if I don’t have a teaching license/ am not working in schools?

    This program is designed for working teachers or administrators, and many of the assignments require that you practice the strategies and concepts within a school environment. If you don’t have a teaching license, we can work with you through other programs to get you certified and add on your gifted endorsement. If you have a license, but aren’t currently working in schools, we can work with you to obtain an experience that will allow you to complete the requirements of the program and courses.

    Do I have to do the Master’s degree if I only want the endorsement?

    No. The endorsement is 15 credit hours, and you can stop there if you like. However, if you decide that you do want to get your Master’s degree, those 15 hours of the endorsement will count towards the 30 hours of the Master's in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in gifted education. You would need to finish an additional 15 credit hours to finish the Master’s degree.

    I already have a Master’s degree. Do I still need this program?

    Yes. You would still need to take the 15 hours focused in gifted education for the endorsement. We are looking into the possibility of advanced opportunities beyond the Master’s degree.

    I am not teaching in Ohio, but another state. Can I still take this program?

    You will need to check with your State Department and see if these courses would count towards your state requirements for teaching gifted children and/or gifted endorsement. Because this program is aligned with the NAGC/CEC national standards for gifted education, there is a good chance, but each state has different requirements. We focus on the laws and expectations for teachers in Ohio, but if you are from another state, assignments can be adapted for your environment.

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