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 a focus on Advanced Instruction with 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, research, and/or 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 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 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.
NOTE: The Advanced Research concentration will prepare students for a variety of careers in higher education, government, policy work, or other organizations and could lead to a Rank I. The research concentration 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.
This program is exempt from the maximum of 12 hours denoted in the Duplication of Coursework policy. All concentration hours may be duplicated on one additional graduate degree or certificate at the same level.
Concentration(s) for Advanced Instruction pathway:
- Advanced Research in Gifted Education (GEAR)
- 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
A copy of the applicant’s teaching certificate or statement of eligibility must be submitted with the application for admission to the certification of the MAE.
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.
Graduate Studies Admission
Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate Studies admission requirements.
Program Requirements (30-34 hours)
Advanced Instruction
The MAE in Gifted Education and Talent Development with an Advanced Instruction focus 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 required component. The second component, concentration, provides advanced-level pedagogy, leadership, research, and/or content related to Kentucky Teacher Standards and applicable to all P-12 teachers working in the wide gamut of developmental and content areas.
Required Courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Professional Education Component | 18 | |
| Nature and Needs of Gifted, Creative, and Talented Students | ||
| Curriculum, Strategies, and Materials for Gifted Students | ||
| Assessment and Identification of Gifted and Talented Children | ||
| Developing Creativity and Leadership in Gifted Youth | ||
| Psychology of the Gifted and Creative | ||
| Practicum for Teachers of Gifted Students | ||
| Concentration Courses | 12-16 | |
| Total Hours | 30-34 | |
Concentrations:
Advanced Research in Gifted Education and Talent Development (12-15 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (18 hours) | 18 | |
| Concentration and Elective Courses | 12-15 | |
| Research Methods | ||
or EDU 580 | Advanced Special Topics | |
| Issues in Gifted Education and Talent Development | ||
| Seminar in Gifted Education and Talent Development | ||
| Thesis Research and Writing | ||
or EDU 560 | Capstone in Education | |
| Total Hours | 30-33 | |
Elementary Math Specialist Concentration (KEM) (also a WKU certificate #0485 and an endorsement #132) (15 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 18 | |
| Concentration Courses | 15 | |
| Leadership, Math and Technology Education | ||
| Math and Technology Methods for Diverse Learners | ||
| Math and Technology Assessment | ||
Choose 2 of 3: | ||
| 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) (also an endorsement #132) (12 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 18 | |
| Concentration Courses | 12 | |
| Survey of Educational Technology Practices | ||
| Educational Technology Management | ||
| Informatics in Education | ||
Select 3 hours from the following: | ||
| Educational Technology Production | ||
| Integration of Educational Technology | ||
| Emerging Technology in Education | ||
| Educational Technology Leadership | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Instructional Design (INDE) (also a WKU certificate #0418) (12 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 18 | |
| Concentration Courses | 12 | |
| Instructional Design Foundations | ||
| Systematic Instructional Design | ||
Select 6 hours from the following: | ||
| 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) (also a WKU certificate #1750 and an endorsement #132) (15 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 18 | |
| Concentration Courses | 15 | |
| Literacy Development and Instruction | ||
| Assessment and Intervention of Reading and Writing | ||
| Content Area and Disciplinary Literacy | ||
| Differentiation in Literacy Education | ||
| 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 | ||
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Teacher Leader (KTLE) (also an endorsement/certification #132) (15 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 18 | |
| Concentration Courses | 15 | |
| Foundations of Teacher Leadership | ||
| Curriculum Development | ||
| Classroom Instruction Strategies | ||
| School and Classroom Assessment | ||
| Capstone Project for Teacher Leadership | ||
or EDU 560 | Capstone in Education | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (also a WKU certificate #0416 and an endorsement #132) (16 hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 18 | |
| Concentration Courses | 16 | |
| Linguistic Analysis | ||
| Psycholinguistics and Sociolinguistics | ||
| Integrated Teaching English as a Second Language | ||
| Seminar in Teaching English as a Second Language | ||
| TESL Practicum | ||
| Total Hours | 34 | |
Individualized Concentration (Endorsements/certification only or another combination of courses) (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 | |