The Master of Science in Education with a concentration in gifted education prepares educators and administrators for teaching and leadership roles in gifted education.
Offered online, the program is taught by faculty members affiliated with the renowned Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, the world leader in gifted education. Students gain critical knowledge and skills in areas such as curriculum, instruction, program development, and assessment to meet the needs of academically talented students.
The program is also recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education as meeting the requirements for Gifted and Talented Education Specialist certification in Maryland. Students must have 27 months teaching experience and hold an initial teaching certificate.
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Core Faculty
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Keri Guilbault, EdD
Associate Professor
Faculty Lead, Gifted Education ProgramsAffiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Gifted Education, Learning & Instruction
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Jonathan Plucker, PhD
Research Professor
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
Faculty Lead, Master of Science in Education PolicyAffiliation
SOE Leadership
Expertise
Education Policy & Politics, Gifted Education, Learning & Instruction
Keri Guilbault, EdD
Associate Professor
Faculty Lead, Gifted Education Programs
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Gifted Education, Learning & Instruction

Jonathan Plucker, PhD
Research Professor
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
Faculty Lead, Master of Science in Education Policy
Affiliation
SOE Leadership
Expertise
Education Policy & Politics, Gifted Education, Learning & Instruction

Program Overview
The MS in Education with a concentration in Gifted Education prepares educators and administrators for teaching and leadership roles in gifted education. The program’s twice exceptional focus area allows candidates to specialize and hone their skills in meeting the needs of gifted students with learning differences.
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 internationally recognized experts and leaders in the field.
Graduates understand the research that informs 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 and twice exceptional students through collaboration with families and colleagues, sharing of community resources, and ongoing professional learning.
The program adheres to standards set by the National Association for Gifted Children and the Council for Exceptional Children. Completion can lead to Gifted and Talented Education Specialist certification in Maryland as well as similar certification endorsements in other states.
After SOE
The Gifted Education program prepares educators and administrators for teaching and leadership roles in areas such as curriculum, instruction, program development, and assessment to support and advocate for gifted students.
Careers
- School Leader
- Preschool Teacher
- K–12 Teacher
- Instructional Designer
“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!

Careers
- School Leader
- Preschool Teacher
- K–12 Teacher
- Instructional Designer
“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!

Legal Disclosure
Master of Science in Education - Gifted Education – Online
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.
Educational Prerequisites for Professional Licensure or Certification
Note: Students seeking the Gifted and Talented Educator Specialist certification in the state of Maryland must hold state-approved teacher certification, three years of teaching experience, and be currently employed in a school district or an accredited independent school, preferably with access to gifted or advanced learners and hold a master’s degree by graduation.
Note: Students interested in applying for state certification or endorsement in Gifted Education are strongly encouraged to visit the following state and professional associations for information on state requirements. Students outside of Maryland not seeking the Gifted and Talented Education Specialist certification who do not meet these requirements may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis and may require an interview.
Students should be aware of additional state-specific information for online programs.
(1) This program satisfies the educational prerequisites for licensure or certification in the following states: Maryland. Maryland has a licensure agreement that provides for reciprocity with Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, the 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, and Vermont.
(2) This program does not satisfy the educational prerequisites for licensure or certification in the following states: 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.
Students located in a state where their program does not meet that state’s licensure or certification educational prerequisites may have difficulty finding a job in that occupation and/or repaying loans borrowed to complete the program.