Gifted and Talented Education Specialist (GATES) (GFT)

Overview

Contact: Dr. Daria Buese

The Gifted and Talented Education Specialist (GATES) program is designed for practicing P-12 educators who seek to gain expertise in working with gifted and talented learners. The GATES program prepares teachers who hold initial teaching certification to meet the curriculum, assessment, and instructional needs of academically talented students. This program is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) for Gifted and Talented Specialist Certification. Coursework is aligned to National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) standards.

The GATES program is available completely online. The program consists of five courses and an internship for a total of 18 credit hours. The internship (160 hours) may be completed in the school district in which one works.

All coursework in this post-baccalaureate certificate program is applicable to a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Education, or Secondary Education. A master’s degree is required to attain the MSDE endorsement.

Admissions Requirements

• Completed application for graduate study
• Non-refundable application fee
• Three official professional references
• Official transcripts verifying completion of an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Initial certification

Courses

• GFT 501 - Foundations of Gifted Education
• GFT 502 - Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Learners
• GFT 503 - Critical and Creative Thinking
• GFT 504 - Best Practices in GFT I
• GFT 505 - Best Practices in GFT II
• GFT 552 - GATES Internship

Total Credits Hours: 18