The University of Virginia has been authorized by the Commonwealth of Virginia to offer graduate-level coursework in gifted education that satisfies the requirements for the add-on endorsement to a state teaching license. The candidate for the add-on endorsement must have:
1. completed an approved teacher preparation program in gifted education; OR
2. completed the following:
a. Graduated with a baccalaureate degree with an endorsement in a teaching area;
b. Completed 12 hours of approved graduate-level coursework in gifted education that addresses specified competencies; and
c. Completed a practicum of at least 45 instructional hours. This practicum shall include a minimum of 45 instructional hours of successful teaching experiences with gifted students in a heterogeneously grouped setting (mixed ability) or a homogeneously grouped (single ability) setting. One year of successful, full-time teaching may be accepted in lieu of the practicum. A mentor holding a valid license with an endorsement in gifted education must be assigned to the teacher.
Prerequisites and Admission Requirements
None; can be taken as part of other degree program at Curry or through Community Scholar program for Virginia educators
Degree Requirements
Graduate Coursework in Gifted Education
The specified competencies can be met through the following graduate-level courses in gifted education. Courses noted (*) are required courses. Others listed are highly recommended but not required.
EDLF 7220 Introduction to Gifted Education (*)
EDLF 7230 Introduction to Curriculum for Gifted Learners (*)
EDLF 7250 Models and Strategies for Teaching the Gifted (*)
EDLF 7280 Creativity and Problem Solving
EDLF 7390 Differentiated Instruction (*)
EDLF 8987 Internship in Teaching the Gifted (*)
Internship in Teaching Gifted Students
There are four specific goals for the internship portion of the endorsement series. Students are strongly encouraged to develop additional goals to further tailor the internship experience to their specific teaching context and learning needs.
a.)To reflect in practice the concepts and strategies that students have learned in the course sequence;
b.)To recognize and document the learning needs and environmental considerations of gifted students;
c.)To evaluate the effectiveness of instructional practices in meeting the needs of gifted learners; and
d.)To articulate how the curricular and instructional responses align with the documented needs of gifted students and to make recommendations for a more aligned fit if necessary.
Funding Opportunities
Discounted tuition through the special tuition program for full-time educators in Virginia
Typical Length of Study
4 courses and an internship, typically pursued as part of the BA/MT or one of Curry’s MEd programs
Full or Part Time:
Endorsement may be pursued part or full time
Course Overview
12 credit hour (plus 45 hour teaching internship)
Sample Jobs After Graduation
Teacher of gifted students, coordinator of gifted education programs
Contacts
