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
Rachael Lee, rachael.lee@wku.edu, (270) 745-2819
The MAE in Gifted Education and Talent Development offers two concentrations, Advanced Certification for Teacher Leaders and Advanced Research Focus.
The Advanced Certification for Teacher Leaders concentration of the MAE in Gifted Education and Talent Development 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 and both the Gifted and Talented Education (KE37) and Teacher Leader (KTLE) endorsements. Individuals holding a Rank II will be eligible for a Rank I with both the Gifted and Talented Education (KE37) and Teacher Leader (KTLE) endorsements.
Educators pursuing the advanced certification for teacher leader concentration may be completing the graduate program to continue in a teaching position or to become a curriculum coordinator. Counselors, principals, librarians, and other specialized teachers will enhance their knowledge and skills in a 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 Focus concentration may be used to achieve 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 focus 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 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.
Concentration(s)
- Advanced Certification for Teacher Leaders (PCTL)
- Advanced Research Focus (PCRF)
Program Admission
Criteria vary, depending on the student’s undergraduate institution and GPA as well as the concentration the student is pursuing.
Advanced Certification for Teacher Leaders Concentration
A copy of the applicant’s teaching certificate or statement of eligibility must be submitted with the application for admission to the Advanced Certification for Teacher Leaders concentration.
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 Focus Concentration
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 School Admission
Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate School admission requirements.
Program Requirements (30-37 hours)
Advanced Certification for Teacher Leaders Concentration
The program for the MAE in Gifted Education and Talent Development, Advanced Certification for Teacher Leaders concentration has four instructional components. The first component, professional education, 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 second component, specialization, directs the candidates into gifted education as the selected area of specialization. The third component is the practicum, and electives make up the fourth component. Students may be required to complete additional elective hours to achieve the program minimum of 30 hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Professional Education Component | ||
| TCHL 500 | Foundations of Teacher Leadership 1 | 3 |
| TCHL 545 | Classroom Instruction Strategies 2 | 3 |
| TCHL 555 | School and Classroom Assessment 2 | 3 |
| TCHL 559 | Capstone Project Design for Teacher Leadership | 1 |
| TCHL 560 | Capstone Project for Teacher Leadership | 3 |
| Mid-Point Assessment Requirements | ||
| To ensure that all master’s candidates are proficient on Advanced Level Kentucky Teacher Standards, all Critical Performances associated with the above TCHL courses must be completed by candidates for the Advanced Certification for Teacher Leaders concentration, even if a candidate’s program of studies does not include the courses. All candidates will upload all Critical Performances and have achieved an average score of 3.0 on all performances and an average score of 3 on dispositions. Additional coursework may be required based on the assessment results. | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| Specialization 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 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 0-6 hours with advisor approval 3 | 0-6 | |
| Total Hours | 30-37 | |
- 1
While enrolled in TCHL 500, students will use several documents, including their KTIP assessments or in-kind examples, dispositions self-surveys, referrals from school personnel, and their respective School Improvement Plan, to develop with their respective program advisors individualized programs of study of 30-37 hours related to Kentucky Teacher Standards and professional goals. Each student’s program of study will include some of the TCHL courses, plus courses in gifted and talented education.
- 2
TCHL 545 and TCHL 555 are required for all students or the student must pass proficiency evaluations for these courses.
- 3
Students who test out of TCHL 545 or TCHL 555 must replace those courses with elective courses on their program of study. With advisor approval, students may select appropriate elective courses from:
- the discipline in which the student is certified;
- academic disciplines related to the P-12 common core standards;
- CEBS content courses in exceptional education, interdisciplinary early childhood education, library media education, literacy, or psychology; or
- courses identified as prerequisites for instructional leader programs.
Candidates who choose not to take the proficiency evaluations or those who take the evaluations and do not demonstrate proficiency have the option of taking an additional 6 hours of elective coursework to add to their content or professional education knowledge.
Advanced Certification for Teacher Leaders Concentration Program Completion Requirements
- Successfully complete TCHL 560 (course grade of "B" or higher)
- Give acceptable presentation of action research in an approved venue
- 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 Focus Concentration
The program for the Advanced Research Focus concentration 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 |
| 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 Focus Concentration Program Completion Requirements
Candidates must successfully defend a thesis and have at least a 3.0 GPA overall and in program coursework.