Gifted and Talented Education

Summary

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 meet Maryland state requirements for certification as a specialist in gifted and talented education.

Student Outcomes

Students in this Program will:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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, students will be able to:

1. Pass all National testing requirements, as applicable, achieving a 100% pass rate for NDMU.
2. 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.
3. Design and conduct action research studies in their particular field of expertise and interest in the area of gifted and talented education.
4. 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.