MA in Gifted and Talented Education

Department

Degrees offered

Certificate

Campuses

Main Campus
Anne Arundel Community College
Eastern Shore Higher Education Center (ESHEC)
Southern Maryland Higher Education Center (SMHEC)
University Center Northeastern Maryland (formerly the HEAT Center)

The Master of Arts in Gifted and Talented Education at Notre Dame of Maryland University provides educators with knowledge and skills to assume leadership roles in gifted education. Our Master of Arts and certificate programs meets Maryland state requirements for certification as a specialist in gifted and talented education.

Student Outcomes

As a student in this program, you will be able to:

Apply the historical and philosophical foundations of gifted education, cognitive characteristics, affective needs, and appropriate strategies to best implement curricula that consider the social and emotional characteristics, needs and well-being of gifted and talented learners.
Design instructional environments that accommodate inquiry-based pedagogies, critical thinking skills, research techniques, creativity, problem solving skills and support interdisciplinary collaborations to serve the unique abilities of gifted and talented/advanced learners.
Develop a critical understanding of identification procedures and GT program evaluation techniques, including a variety of issues surrounding identification such as twice-exceptionality, cultural, intellectual and linguistic differences, as well as underachievement and under-identification.
Demonstrate a variety of skills necessary to conduct original research using sampling protocols and technology, as well as the ability to apply quantitative and qualitative approaches involved in data analysis and in interpreting various types of information.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of the program, you will be able to:

Pass all national testing requirements, as applicable, achieving a 100% pass rate for NDMU.
Enhance career and professional development opportunities for employment pathways in the profession, e.g., GT Teacher, GT Intervention Resource Teacher, GT Identification Resource Teacher, GT Program Coordinator, GT Curriculum Specialist, GT District Coordinator.
Design and conduct action research studies in their particular field of expertise and interest in the area of gifted and talented education.
Create interdisciplinary and differentiated curricula to deliver services that support student learning and the specialized needs of gifted and talented/advanced learners.

Teachers will acquire the knowledge and skills to enhance understanding of gifted students and their needs. With this advanced degree, teachers will be equipped to assume a leadership role in gifted and talented education. Certificate programs also available.

Curriculum (36 Credits)

EDGT-500 Foundations of Gifted and Talented Education*
EDGT-501 Affective Characteristics of Diverse Gifted and Talented Learners*
EDGT-506 Theory and Development of Creativity
EDGT-505 Strategies for Gifted and Talented Education*
EDGT-502 Curriculum for the Gifted and Talented*
EDGT-503 Research Seminar in Gifted and Talented Education*
EDGT-504 Practicum in Gifted and Talenetd Education*
EDU-557 Leadership I
EDU-567 Learning Theory and Practice
EDU-676 Educational Applications of Multimedia OR EDU 544 Educational Assessment
EDU-665 Digital Game-Based Learning and Design
One approved elective (3 credits)

*courses meet requiremenst for the MSDE certificate: Gifted and Talented Specialist

Courses

EDGT-500 Foundations of Gifted and Talented Education

Provides an understanding of the historical foundations of gifted education in the United States and the key philosophies that shaped the various programs. Students will become familiar with the cognitive characteristics of gifted children. Students will examine important issues and trends in gifted education. Students will compare quantitative and qualitative assessments that locations within Maryland use to define and identify those with gifts and talents and the ways that culture impacts identification. [ 3 credits ]

EDGT-501 Affective Characteristics of Diverse Gifted and Talented Learners

Examines the social and emotional well being of gifted and talented students. The role of families, communities and environment and the ways in which they address the needs of those with gifts and talents is researched and discussed. The learning styles of individuals with gifts and talents are discussed. [ 3 credits ]

EDGT-502 Curriculum for the Gifted and Talented

Examines the ways in which curricula are planned and developed for gifted students. Attention is given to such issues as building a philosophical framework for curriculum, important design features for curriculum, scope and sequence, and unit development. [ 3 credits ]

EDGT-503 Research Seminar in Gifted and Talented Education

Affords students the opportunity to apply previous course learning to in-depth study and discussion of those with gifts and talents. Students will read current literature on a variety of issues surrounding the identification and education of the gifted and discuss their findings. Students will identify one area of gifted and talented education, such as autistic gifted, learning disabled gifted, or musical and artistic prodigies, design and conduct an action research project and share their work in their schools. This course affords students the opportunity to gain greater knowledge about the Maryland State gifted education competencies. [ 3 credits ]

EDGT-504 Practicum in Gifted and Talented Education

Serves as the capstone course in the master's program. Students must draw on what they have learned in previous coursework as they work in area schools with gifted and talented individuals. Students will observe, assess, plan, and teach the gifted and talented, strengthening their skills. Students will assess their personal abilities and attitudes in order to work successfully with the learners. [ 3 credits ]

EDGT-505 Strategies for the Education of Gifted and Talented Students

Addresses appropriate strategies for best implementing curriculum for the gifted and talented. Course participants consider critical thinking skills, research techniques, and problem solving skills. Additionally, the nature of creativity is examined as well as ways to foster creativity. Technology is stressed as an important tool for the gifted and talented. [3 credits ]

EDGT-506 Theory and Development of Creativity

Participants will explore psychological aspects of creativity and ways to nurture creative behavior in their students. This course will provide opportunities for graduate students to examine various theories and definitions of creativity and recognize characteristics and traits of creative individuals. Participants will learn about the creative process, various creative thinking srategies, barriers to creativity in the elementary and secondary classroom. This course is also designed to help educators reflect on their own creativity and practice effective strategies that increase creative thinking. [ 3 credits ]

EDU-544 Educational Assessment

Focuses on student assessment and the relationship of assessment practices to instructional decisionmaking. Students will consider, analyze and apply a variety of approaches for interpreting individual and group behavior based on relevant research and best practices. Traditional assessment techniques, using standardized and criterion instruments, will be explored, as well as direct performance and portfolio assessments. Both classroom and clinical practice assessment strategies will be explored. [ 3 credits ]

EDU-557 Leadership Seminar I

Analyzes various models of leadership and explores societal and personal assumptions about leadership. Students investigate key elements of effective leadership and raise questions from several cultural viewpoints. Participants will be encouraged to integrate and apply diverse leadership perspectives in order to enhance their leadership abilities and strengthen their capacity to lead as educational professionals. [ 3 credits ]

EDU-567 Learning Theory and Practice

Evaluates theories of learning from cognitive, physiological and affective perspectives as a basis for effective instructional practice. Research into the theoretical basis for learning and higher level thinking skills is applied to educational planning, implementation, and evaluation. [ 3 credits ]

EDU-665 Digital Game-Based Learning and Design

This course provides an overview of the learning theories, best practices, and classroom application models involved with incorporating educational games and simulations into learning environments. The use of current and emerging technologies found in the gaming arena will be explored and documented for classroom application. This course brings together cultural, business, government and technical perspectives on developing and integrating electronic gaming techniques and technologies to enhance and enrich learning. Course participants will develop an understanding of the current trends (technical and sociological) in computer and console gaming, and what can be learned and applied from the world of gaming to positively affect teaching and learning. They will also experience an authentic creative process when they explore the game design process. [ 3 credits ]

EDU-676 Educational Applications of Multimedia

Provides an introduction to designing and planning multimedia projects in the K-12 setting through collaborative inquiry. Topics to be introduced include storyboarding, conferencing, video editing and incorporating multimedia elements into selected software programs. Students will read some of the latest research covering the impact of multimedia development on student achievement. [ 3 credits ]