The MEd in gifted education at Converse University prepares the graduate student/experienced teacher through rigorous courses dealing with all areas involved in teaching gifted students. The program of study emphasizes curriculum development and appropriate instructional design for gifted students, as well as identifying and appropriately serving gifted students including special populations (e.g., underachievers, underserved, twice-exceptional). Understanding and conducting research completes the educational program for professionals in gifted education.
The candidate will be able to:
- Beginning teacher candidates will demonstrate how exceptionalities may interact with development and learning by providing meaningful and challenging learning experiences and safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning environments for gifted and talented individuals.
- Beginning teacher candidates will use multiple methods of assessment and data-sources in making educational decisions for gifted and talented individuals.
- Beginning teacher candidates will use knowledge of general and specialized curricula to individualize learning and to select, adapt, and use a repertoire of evidence-based instructional strategies, including specialized curricula, t advance learning of gifted and talented individuals.
- Beginning teacher candidates will collaborate with families, other educators, related service providers, individuals with exceptionalities, and personnel from community agencies in professional and culturally responsive ways to address the needs of gifted and talented individuals.
The MEd in gifted education is a program for experienced, certified teachers preparing to teach gifted children. The curriculum is a 36-hour program of graduate study in appropriate professional and academic areas approved by the adviser. The purpose is to expand and refine the teaching competencies of the candidate. With the proliferation of gifted programs and the increase in the number of children being served in these programs in our state, the quality and consistency of professional preparation must be a priority. Courses in this program are among those needed for gifted certification in the state of South Carolina.
- Teacher Work Sample (midway through program, developed in a required course of the same name).
- Portfolio based on the five core principles of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (as a culminating assessment).
GPA of 3.0 must be maintained in content courses as well as education courses.
Area 1 - Gifted Education
Area II - Educational/Liberal Arts
To complete Area II you may take any combination of education, special education, liberal arts, or music courses at the 500+ level.