Online Special Education Master of Arts:
Gifted and Talented Emphasis or Gifted
and Talented Specialist Endorsement-Only
About These Online Programs (with short summer on-campus visits)
Help gifted and talented students develop to their full potential and reach your own potential with an endorsement and/or a master’s degree focused on educating the gifted and talented. The curriculum for these programs was developed through a collaborative effort of UNC faculty, colleagues from the public schools, and the Colorado Department of Education to specifically address the new standards for gifted and talented educators.
These online program options—a Master of Arts in Special Education: Gifted and Talented Emphasis with Gifted and Talented Specialist Endorsement, or the endorsement-only option—can be completed in two years. The programs begin this fall. Application Deadline is July 15.
Students enjoy the benefit of short on-campus experiences aligned with the UNC Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) for fifth through tenth grade learners who are gifted, talented and creative. There is a 2-day, on-campus orientation the summer prior to the program start; an optional on-campus field experience during the first summer of coursework; and the programs culminate with students completing a 2 1/2 week practicum on campus teaching in the SEP.
Become Highly Effective in Teaching the Gifted, Talented and Creative
With the master's plus endorsement and endorsement-only options, these pre-eminent programs can serve both those with a bachelor's degree and teacher licensure, and those with a master's degree in education seeking the Gifted and Talented Endorsement.
Nationally Recognized Program
In 2008, the UNC Gifted and Talented master’s degree program received the status of “Nationally Recognized Program” from the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) in conjunction with The Association for the Gifted (TAG) of the Council for Exceptional Children and the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). UNC’s gifted education program is currently the only program with that distinction in the western United States.
More Resources
Also Offered Face-to-Face this Fall—if you are more interested in a hybrid face-to-face (two Saturdays per course) and online program instead, these programs are also offered this Fall in conjunction with Denver Public Schoools and at the Douglas County Schools.
We also encourage you to visit the Center for the Education & Study of Gifted, Talented, Creative Learners who develop and administer this program.
Contact the Program Coordinator
Contact the Off-Campus Program Coordinator
Amy Graefe
amy.graefe@unco.edu
(970) 351-1541
Special Ed: Gifted and Talented Online Academic Program Coordinator
Stuart Omdal
stuart.omdal@unco.edu
(970) 351-1674
Course of Study
Gifted and Talented Specialist Endorsement-Only
The endorsement is 24 credit hours and is completed in 16 months (4 academic terms) plus one practicum the following Summer session at the UNC Summer Enrichment Program. The 24 endorsement credit hours also count toward the 36 credit hours completed by Master of Arts students.
Special Education Master of Arts: Gifted and Talented Emphasis with Endorsement
The MA degree is 36 credit hours and is completed in 2 years.
Courses and Requirements
* = Required for MA program only
July 19–20, 2012: Orientation in Greeley, CO.
| Fall | Spring | Summer | |
|---|---|---|---|
Year 1 |
EDSE 682 Foundations in Gifted Education (3 cr) |
EDSE 686 Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted & Talented (3) |
1-day (July) Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) Planning Preview |
EDSE 683 Nature and Needs of Learners who are Gifted (3) |
EDSE 685 Curriculum for the Gifted & Talented (3) |
EDSE 687 Program Strategies and Services for the Gifted & Talented (3) |
|
EDSE 689 Creativity in Gifted Education (3)* |
|||
|
|
SRM 600 Introduction to Graduate Research (3)* |
|
Year 2 |
EDSE 688 Communication and Leadership in Gifted Education (3) |
EDSE 690 Highest Levels of Learning for the Gifted & Talented (3)* |
EDSE 691 Practicum in Teaching the Gifted & Talented (3) – The practicum is the culminating activity and is completed in July at the Summer Enrichment Program in Greeley, CO
|
EDSE 684 Identification and Assessment for the Gifted & Talented (3) |
EDSE 691 Practicum in Teaching the Gifted & Talented (3)* |
Admission Requirements and Transfer Credit
Admission Requirements
Acceptance into the Gifted and Talented Education program requires that you meet minimum requirements for admission to the UNC Graduate School, with a GPA of 3.0 or better in your most recent 60 semester hours of college work or IF your G.P.A. in your last 60 hours is below 3.0 you must submit GRE results from within the last five years.In addition, you will need
- A teaching license (if you plan to use this degree to teach)
- Two Official Transcripts from all accredited institutions attended since high school (except any UNC credits/degrees)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Goal and Philosophy Statement
See the Get Started section for steps on how to begin the application process and submit your materials.
Eligibility by State
UNC has secured approval from almost every state, as required by new federal regulations, so that students are eligible to apply to online programs at UNC. However we are unable to accept applications at this time for our online programs from students residing in a few select states because their requirements, particularly application fees, for such approval are prohibitive. Please verify your Eligibility by State before applying.
Note: All international students residing outside of the United States are eligible to apply to our online programs. Students attending online while residing outside of the United States do not need student visas for admission.
Transferring Credit
Applicable graduate credit may be applied towards this academic program. In order for credits to be accepted toward a degree they must be graduate level credits, be approved by the Academic Advisor, and have a grade of A or B. Once approved by the advisor, students must complete a Petition to Count Work in a Degree Program to have the credit approved by the Grad School. Master’s degree students must complete a minimum of 24 credits at the University of Northern Colorado. All work counted in a degree program must be within five years for a master’s degree and six years for a specialist degree. The time limit is calculated from the beginning of the first class transferred in and counted in the degree program.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition
This program is offered through the UNC Office of Extended Studies, which means a flat per-credit tuition rate for all students in the program. There are no student fees. Certain courses may carry specific course fees for additional services and materials.
Tuition rates are set each academic year (which begin each Fall semester). The tuition rate for the 2011-12 school year for this program is $430 per credit hour.
Financial Aid—Master of Arts Degree Students
Students who cannot pay for tuition alone are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA priority filing date for each academic year (which begins each August) is March 1. Late submissions of the FAFSA are still accepted but may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.
Master’s degree students require a minimum of 5 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full time enrollment is based on 9 credits.
To apply for federal financial aid assistance
Fill out the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov
Extended Studies degree seeking students may contact Nancy Gray in Financial Aid for more specific help at (970) 351-2502 or visit UNC Financial Aid website.
Students can also find information in the Guide to Federal Student Aid at studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html
Financial Aid—Endorsement-only
Endorsement-only program students (non-degree seeking) aren’t eligible for aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Details about the federal aid program are available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Your program coordinator may be aware of your eligibility for any discipline or campus-based aid if available.
Extended Studies students may contact Nancy Gray in Financial Aid for more specific help at (970) 351-2502 or visit UNC Financial Aid website.
Students can also find information in the Guide to Federal Student Aid at studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html
Get Started
The Gifted and Talented programs are currently accepting applications. Accepted applicants begin the program this Fall. The Priority Application Deadline is June 1.
Once you apply to the UNC Graduate School and your application packet is complete, admission to this program is a two-stage process. Your application will be reviewed by the graduate school then sent to the faculty/program for an admission decision. A completed application typically takes four to six weeks to process. The Gifted and Talented Education Program Guide has specific details and advice for submitting your application materials (see page 5).
