西肯塔基大学

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.

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.

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.