Master of Science in Education – Gifted Education

The Master of Science in Education with concentration in Gifted Education prepares educators and administrators for teaching and leadership roles in gifted education. This program provides graduate students with critical knowledge and skills in areas such as curriculum, instruction, program development, and assessment to meet the needs of academically talented students. Faculty members are affiliated with the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, the world leader in gifted education since 1979. CTY is a nonprofit dedicated to identifying and developing the talents of academically advanced pre-college students around the world.

Graduates understand the diverse factors that inform the identification and support of K–12 gifted students and help create safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning environments that support the social, emotional, and cognitive learning needs of these talented students.

Graduates become more effective leaders and more reflective professionals able to support and advocate for gifted students through collaboration with families and colleagues, sharing of community resources, and ongoing professional development.

The program adheres to standards set by the National Association for Gifted Children and the Council for Exceptional Children and Completion and can lead to Gifted and Talented Education Specialist Certification in Maryland, as well as similar certification endorsements in other states.

Student Outcomes

The goals of the program are to prepare educators for leadership roles in the field of gifted education. Students acquire competencies in:

• Understanding diverse factors that inform identification and support of K–12 gifted students.
• Creating safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning environments that support the social, emotional, and cognitive learning needs of diverse groups of gifted K–12 students.
• Using assessments to identify gifted and talented students, assess progress and modify interventions accordingly, as well as provide summative data on their accomplishments.
• Becoming reflective, ethical professionals who support and advocate for gifted K–12 students through collaboration with families and colleagues, use of community resources, and ongoing professional development.
• Serving as effective leaders in the development and implementation of gifted education and talent development programs.
• Leading efforts to address and eliminate excellence gaps in K–12 settings.

Certification

The program is recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education as meeting the requirements for Gifted and Talented Specialist certification in Maryland. Courses are offered online and in-person.