Master of Science in Education – Gifted Education
AT A GLANCE | DESCRIPTION | FACULTY | PROGRAM PLAN | WHAT TO EXPECT | FAQ
This program prepares educators and administrators for teaching and leadership roles in gifted education. Candidates strengthen skills in areas such as curriculum, instruction, program development, and assessment to meet the needs of academically talented students through research and best practices.

Contact Us
Faculty Lead
Keri Guilbault, EdD
kguilba1@jhu.edu
Academic Program Coordinator
Jennifer Fordham
443-927-0154
jennifer.fordham@jhu.edu
Master of Science in Education – Gifted Education
At A Glance

Frequency
PART-TIME

Location
ONLINE

Credits
33

Start Term
FALL
SPRING

Completion Time
2-5 Years

Application Deadline
ROLLING – Applications will be accepted until one month before the start of the semester.
Application requirements and deadlines
Master of Science in Education: Gifted Education | ||
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Enrollment: | Part-Time | |
Pre-Requisites to Apply: | (See MSDE COMAR for additional information) -Hold teacher certification (in MD or any state) -27 months teaching experience Candidates outside of Maryland not seeking the Gifted and Talented Specialist certification who do not meet these requirements may be considered on a case-by-case basis and will require an interview. | |
Start Terms: | Fall and Spring | |
Application Deadline: | Rolling – Applications will be accepted until one month before the start of the semester. Completed applications received after the posted deadline will be reviewed based on program space availability. | |
Application Requirements: | Online application form | |
$80.00 application fee | ||
Resume/CV | ||
Essay: A 500-word essay discussing the reasons you wish to pursue a degree at Johns Hopkins University, focusing on your long-term goals and how your academic program will complement those goals. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses in your academic background, as well as any additional comments that will assist in evaluating your application materials. Essays should be submitted in a typed format on a separate sheet of paper. | ||
Two letters of recommendation | ||
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended | ||
International Applicants | Please visit the International Student Admissions webpage for additional application requirements. Note: This program is delivered in a fully online format and does not offer F-1 or J-1 visa sponsorship for international students. |
Tuition and fees
Tuition and fees are subject to change for ensuing academic years, and will be updated on the School of Education website accordingly.
Master's Degree and Certificate Programs | |
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On-Site/Face-to-Face Graduate Education Courses (All master’s degree and graduate certificate programs except where listed below) | $918 per credit |
Online Graduate Education Courses* (All master's degree and graduate certificate programs except where listed below) | $972 per credit + $20 per credit Technology Fee |
Counseling On-Site/Face-to-Face Courses | $936 per credit |
Counseling Online Courses | $991 per credit + $20 per credit Technology Fee |
Digital Age Learning & Ed. Technology & Grad Cert. Technology Integration (DALET) - Online Courses | $991 per credit + $20 per credit Technology Fee |
Education Policy Courses | $1,365 per credit (all formats, online or in-person) |
M.Ed. Education in the Health Professions & Post-Master's Certificate in Evidence-Based Teaching in the Health Professions programs (MEHP) Courses | $1,452 per credit** **Classes in the Master of Education in the Health Professions (MEHP) or Post-Master's Certificate in Evidence-Based Teaching in the Health $1,452 per credit, except for Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System employees, who have assessed tuition at $850 per credit. |
MS in Education International Teaching and Global Leadership Cohort Program | $50,400 Program Tuition + $1,500 Technology Fee |
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Admissions Information
Related Programs

The flexibility of the online program and the mentoring by the faculty made it possible for me to excel in my teaching career. My professors’ passion for gifted education was a great inspiration!
Katie Lee, MS ’22
2021 Mensa Gifted Fellowship Award Winner
Master of Science in Education – Gifted Education
Program Description
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.
Master of Science in Education – Gifted Education
CORE FACULTY
Keri Guilbault
Jonathan Plucker
Matthew C. Makel
Master of Science in Education – Gifted Education
PROGRAM PLAN
Coursework
Required Courses (27 credits hours)
885.501 The Gifted Learner
885.512 Twice Exceptional Learners
885.604 Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted
885.505 Creativity in Education
885.510 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for Advanced Learners
885.515 Leadership of Gifted Education and Talent Development Programs
885.519 Seminar I in Gifted Education and Talent Development
885.520 Seminar II in Gifted Education and Talent Development
885.820 Practicum in Gifted Education and Talent Development*
*Note: All candidates employed in Maryland who are seeking Gifted and Talented Education Specialist certification from MSDE will undertake a semester-long practicum experience as the culminating course of their program. Candidates who are employed in other states outside of Maryland or who do not hold a teaching certificate will take an online 3-credit Research in Gifted Education and Talent Development course in place of the practicum course.
Elective Courses (6 credits)
In addition to the core coursework requirements, all students will select 6 credit hours of electives in consultation with their adviser.
Year plan
Sample Year Plan:
Fall Semester Year 1
885.501 The Gifted Learner
885.512 Twice Exceptional Learners
Spring Semester Year 1
885.604 Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted
885.510 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for Advanced Learners
Summer Semester Year 1
Elective 1
885.505 Creativity in Education
Fall Semester Year 2
885.519 Seminar I in Gifted Education and Talent Development
885.515 Leadership of Gifted Education and Talent Development Programs
Spring Semester Year 2
885.520 Seminar II in Gifted Education and Talent Development
*885.820 Practicum in Gifted Education and Talent Development
Elective or 885.720 Research in Gifted Education and Talent Development
Summer Semester Year 2
Elective 2
Course Information
Course descriptions, locations, and availability
Master of Science in Education – Gifted Education
WHAT TO EXPECT
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.
Master of Science in Education – Gifted Education
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I have to be a certified teacher/current teacher to enroll and participate in the program?
If you want to receive Maryland state certification, you need to be a current teacher or a teacher with 27 months of teaching experience when you complete the program. For this reason, we generally require applicants to the certificate program to be current teachers, but master’s applicants who are not interested in Maryland state certification do not need to be teachers, certified or otherwise.
Can I take it entirely online?
Yes, the master’s program is offered in a fully-online format only.
I’m working full time and can’t do an internship. How does practicum work?
Many of the students in the program teach full-time, and they do the practicum work in their own classroom. Students who are not pursuing state certification will take Research in Gifted Education and Talent Development.
Who teaches the courses?
Prof. Guilbault and Prof. Plucker teach the majority of the courses, but we also utilize highly experience adjuncts with terminal degrees, considerable expertise, and national reputations to teach some of the courses.
Master of Science in Education – Gifted Education
State Authorization Disclosure Regarding Educational Prerequisites
Federal regulations require Johns Hopkins to disclose to students considering enrollment or enrolled in this program whether or not it meets educational prerequisites for licensure or certification by state.
Educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification
Program meets licensure requirements in the following States: Maryland. Maryland has a licensure agreement that provides for reciprocity with Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Vermont. The licensure agreement provides for reciprocity with conditions in the following states: Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Nevada, North Carolina, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Virginia, Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Washington.
*Student must have 27 months teaching
AT A GLANCE | DESCRIPTION | FACULTY | PROGRAM PLAN | WHAT TO EXPECT | FAQ