Gifted Education and Talent Development, Master of Arts in Education (0482)
Department website: http://www.wku.edu/ste/
Program Coordinator
Janet L. Tassell, janet.tassell@wku.edu, (270) 745-5306
Program Contact
Christina Heady, christina.heady@wku.edu, (270) 745-2082
The MAE in Gifted Education and Talent Development offers two pathways, Advanced Instruction and Advanced Research. The program for the MAE in Gifted Education and Talent Development, Advanced Instruction pathway has the following instructional components. The first component directs the candidates into gifted education as the selected area of required courses (18 hours). The GTE 538 course serves as the research practicum at the end of the Gifted Education component. The second component, specialization, provides advanced-level pedagogy, leadership, and content related to Kentucky Teacher Standards and applicable to all P-12 teachers working in the wide gamut of developmental and content areas.
The certification for Advanced Instruction pathway of the MAE is designed to develop advanced certification for teachers who can positively impact student learning in their classrooms and schools with all children and young people, including those who are gifted and talented. Courses and experiences include professional learning communities in which students interact with other graduate students from various content areas and grade levels to discuss and work on real-world challenges and promising practices they encounter in schools. Candidates who complete the MAE will be eligible for a recommendation for Rank II with Gifted and Talented Education (KE37) endorsement, WKU Gifted and Talented certificate, and any other corresponding certificates/endorsements. Individuals holding a Rank II will be eligible for a Rank I with with Gifted and Talented Education (KE37) endorsement, WKU Gifted and Talented certificate, and any other corresponding certificates/endorsements.
Educators pursuing the Advanced Instruction pathway may be completing the graduate program to continue in a teaching position or to become a curriculum coordinator. Counselors, principals, librarians, education technologists, and other specialized teachers will enhance their knowledge and skills in another concentration that leads to Rank II or a Rank I if candidates already hold a Rank II certification and the gifted education endorsement.
The MAE in Gifted Education and Talent Development with the Advanced Research pathway may be used to achieve a Rank II or Rank I. An additional three-hour practicum and a passing score on Praxis II in Gifted Education are required for those seeking the endorsement in gifted education. The Advanced Research pathway will prepare students for a variety of careers in higher education, government, policy work, or other organizations and could lead to a Rank I or specialist degree. The research pathway is planned for those pursuing different pathways:
- educators pursuing a rank change
- educators pursuing a rank change and the endorsement in gifted education (additional three-hour practicum and passing score on the Praxis II in gifted education required)
- individuals who are pursuing an advanced degree in gifted education - not certified personnel and that would include, but not be limited to, international students, psychologists, and those planning to earn a Ph.D. or Ed.D.
The MAE in Gifted Education and Talent Development is offered primarily online. Exceptions include the practicum and requests for face-to-face instruction for cohort groups.
Pathways:
- Advanced Instruction (PCAI)
- Advanced Research (PCRF)
Concentration(s) for Advanced Instruction pathway:
- Elementary Math Specialist (KEM)*
- corresponding certificate #0485
- endorsement KEM #132
- Instructional Computer Technology P-12 (KCT)
- endorsement KCT #132
- Instructional Design (INDE)*
- corresponding certificate #0418
- Literacy P-12 (ATEL)*
- corresponding certificate #1750
- endorsement #132
- Teacher Leader (KTLE)
- endorsement KTLE #132)
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (KE36)*
- corresponding certificate #0416
- endorsement KE36 #132
- Individualized Concentration (Endorsements/certification only or another combination of courses) (GATC)
*Concentrations that also lead to a certificate will require students to submit an application for admission to the corresponding certificate and/or certification/endorsement.
Program Admission
Criteria vary, depending on the student’s undergraduate institution and GPA as well as the concentration the student is pursuing.
Advanced Instruction Pathway
A copy of the applicant’s teaching certificate or statement of eligibility must be submitted with the application for admission to the certification of Advanced Instruction pathway.
WKU Graduate Admission
Applicants who are alumni of WKU teacher preparation programs must submit a current, valid teaching certificate or Statement of Eligibility for IECE Birth to Primary; Elementary Education, P-5; Middle Grades Education, 5-9; Secondary Education, 8-12, 5-12, or P-12; or Special Education, P-12.
Graduate of a Kentucky Higher Education Institute other than WKU
Applicants with undergraduate degrees from Kentucky higher education accredited universities must have a 2.75 GPA for all previous undergraduate coursework and a 3.0 GPA for previous graduate coursework or qualifying GAP scores (as defined below by year taken), and must have or be eligible for a teaching certificate for IECE Birth to Primary; Elementary Education, P-5; Middle Grades Education, 5-9; Secondary Education, 8-12, 5-12, or P-12; or Special Education, P-12.
Graduate of an Out-of-State Institution of Higher Education
Applicants with undergraduate degrees from all other higher education accredited universities must have a 2.75 GPA for all previous undergraduate coursework and a 3.0 GPA for previous graduate coursework or qualifying GAP scores (as defined below by year taken), and must have or be eligible for a teaching certificate for IECE Birth to Primary; Elementary Education, P-5; Middle Grades Education, 5-9; Secondary Education, 8-12, 5-12, or P-12; or Special Education, P-12.
Kentucky applicants whose certificates have expired may be admitted, but they may enroll for only six hours before which they must apply to the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board for a re-issued certificate. After completion of six hours, a student admitted with an expired certificate must submit a copy of the reissued certificate before being allowed to register for any additional courses. Applicants from out-of-state with expired certificates must complete the requirements for their respective states to renew their certificates and submit a copy of the reissued certificate.
Advanced Research Pathway
Applicants must meet the following:
- Submit application to Graduate Studies and meet all Graduate Studies requirements
- Have earned a Master's degree from an accredited institution if pursuing a Rank I with this degree concentration
- Have a 3.0 on all graduate coursework
- Submit copies of all transcripts
Graduate Studies Admission
Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate Studies admission requirements.
Program Requirements (30-34 hours)
Advanced Instruction Pathway
The program for the MAE in Gifted Education and Talent Development, Advanced Instruction pathway has the following instructional components: The first component directs the candidates into gifted education as the selected area of required courses (18 hours). The GTE 538 course serves as the research practicum at the end of the Gifted Education component. The second component, specialization, provides advanced level pedagogy, leadership, and content related to Kentucky Teacher Standards and applicable to all P-12 teachers working in the wide gamut of developmental and content areas.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (18 hours) | ||
Professional Education Component | ||
| GTE 536 | Nature and Needs of Gifted, Creative, and Talented Students | 3 |
| GTE 537 | Curriculum, Strategies, and Materials for Gifted Students | 3 |
| GTE 539 | Assessment and Identification of Gifted and Talented Children | 3 |
| GTE 540 | Developing Creativity and Leadership in Gifted Youth | 3 |
| PSY 432G | Psychology of the Gifted and Creative | 3 |
| GTE 538 | Practicum for Teachers of Gifted Students | 3 |
| Concentration and Elective Courses | 12-16 | |
| Total Hours | 30-34 | |
Concentrations:
Elementary Math Specialist Concentration (KEM) (15 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 18 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| ELED 571 | Leadership, Math and Technology Education | 3 |
| ELED 572 | Math and Technology Methods for Diverse Learners | 3 |
| ELED 573 | Math and Technology Assessment | 3 |
| Choose 2 of 3: | 6 | |
| Problem Solving for Elementary and Middle Grades Teachers | ||
| Number Systems for Elementary and Middle Grades Teachers | ||
| Rational Number Concepts for Elementary and Middle Grades Teachers | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Instructional Computer Technology (KCT) (12 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 18 | |
| LITE 535 | Survey of Educational Technology Practices | 3 |
| LITE 537 | Educational Technology Management | 3 |
| LITE 508 | Informatics in Education | 3 |
| Select 3 hours from the following: | 3 | |
| Educational Technology Production | ||
| Integration of Educational Technology | ||
| Emerging Technology in Education | ||
| Educational Technology Leadership | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Instructional Design (INDE) (12 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 18 | |
| ID 560 | Instructional Design Foundations | 3 |
| ID 570 | Systematic Instructional Design | 3 |
| Select 6 hours from the following: | 6 | |
| Improvement Analysis in the Workplace | ||
| Special Topics in Instructional Design | ||
| Management of Instructional Systems | ||
| Training Design and Development | ||
| Distance Education Opportunities and Challenges | ||
| Trends and Issues in Instructional Design | ||
| Multimedia Design | ||
| Practicum in Instructional Design | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Literacy P-12 (ATEL) (15 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 18 | |
| LTCY 519 | Literacy Development and Instruction | 3 |
| LTCY 523 | Assessment and Intervention of Reading and Writing | 3 |
| LTCY 524 | Content Area and Disciplinary Literacy | 3 |
| LTCY 527 | Diversity and Equity in Literacy Education | 3 |
| Elective | ||
| Any 500-level or 600-level course with prefix LTCY, EDU, PSY, ELED, IECE, LITE, SPED, GTE, ID, and ENG or other advisor approved elective | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Teacher Leader (KTLE) (also an endorsement/certification #132) (15 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 18 | |
| TCHL 500 | Foundations of Teacher Leadership | 3 |
| TCHL 530 | Curriculum Development | 3 |
| TCHL 545 | Classroom Instruction Strategies | 3 |
| TCHL 555 | School and Classroom Assessment | 3 |
| TCHL 560 | Capstone Project for Teacher Leadership | 3 |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (KE36) (16-22 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 18 | |
| ENG 407G | Linguistic Analysis | 3 |
| ENG 408G | Psycholinguistics and Sociolinguistics | 3 |
| ENG 565 | Integrated Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
| ENG 566 | Seminar in Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
| ENG 471G | TESL Practicum | 4 |
| Total Hours | 34 | |
Individualized Concentration (Endorsements/certification only or another combination of courses) (GATC) (12 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 18 | |
| Individualized Concentration Coursework The coursework to be determined in consultation with advisor. | 12 | |
| Any course with prefix EDU, GTE, ELED, LITE, ID, IECE, SEC, LTCY, MGE, SPED, ENVE, TCHL, REC, CNS, SLP, SWRK, AGRI, AGEC, RSA, GEOS, HIST, ENG, PS, GEOG, MATH, PSY, BIO, CHEM, PHYS, FACS, ECON, EDAD, EDFN, LEAD: 4XXG, 5XX, 6XX, 7XX | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Advanced Instruction Pathway Completion Requirements
- Successfully complete GTE 538 (course grade of "B" or higher).
- Teach the developed unit.
- Complete the gifted education practicum demonstrating the knowledge and skills to teach children with gifts and talents.
Informational Note: P-12 Gifted Endorsement requires passing score on the Praxis II in gifted education.
Advanced Research Pathway
The program for the Advanced Research pathway requires the core gifted education courses (15 hours) and the specialization (15 hours) in advanced gifted education, research methods, and thesis. Students may complete additional elective hours in a discipline in which student is certified or related courses relevant to the student’s professional needs and goals.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDFN 500 | Research Methods | 3 |
| or EDU 580 | Advanced Special Topics | |
| PSY 432G | Psychology of the Gifted and Creative | 3 |
| GTE 536 | Nature and Needs of Gifted, Creative, and Talented Students | 3 |
| GTE 537 | Curriculum, Strategies, and Materials for Gifted Students | 3 |
| GTE 539 | Assessment and Identification of Gifted and Talented Children | 3 |
| GTE 540 | Developing Creativity and Leadership in Gifted Youth | 3 |
| GTE 636 | Issues in Gifted Education and Talent Development | 3 |
| GTE 637 | Seminar in Gifted Education and Talent Development | 3 |
| EDU 599 | Thesis Research and Writing | 6 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 0-3 hours with advisor approval 1 | 0-3 | |
| Total Hours | 30-33 | |
- 1
Advisor-approved courses selected from disciplines in which student is certified or related courses relevant to the student’s professional needs and goals.
Advanced Research Pathway Completion Requirements
Candidates must successfully defend a thesis and have at least a 3.0 GPA overall and in program coursework.