Certification and/or Masters Degree Program in Gifted Education
This distance education program is designed to prepare professional educators to work with children and adolescents with gifts and talents in the context of elementary and/or secondary school programs. This graduate level program prepares special education teachers to engage in current research-based practices related to acceleration and enrichment programs for gifted and talented students. (More about the program's mission)
The Gifted Education Program at WVU offers you three options:
- Certification Only in Gifted Education Grades 1-12 (or equivalent in other states) for 27 credits;
- Master's Degree in Special Education plus Certification in Gifted Education Grades 1-12 (or equivalent in other states) for 36 credits; and
- Master's Degree only in Special Education with area of concentration in Gifted Education for 36 credits.
This program is available ENTIRELY ONLINE throughout West Virginia, across the United States, and in approved international areas.
The certification program leads to eligibility for additional endorsement in West Virginia in Gifted Education, which includes students with gifts and talents Grades 1-12 (or the equivalent in other states). This program REQUIRES prior certification for certification in West Virginia in one (1) of the following areas: early childhood or elementary education; or secondary education on the following content areas: biology, chemistry, English, general science, mathematics, physics, reading education or specialist, and/or social studies. Individuals seeking certification or endorsement in other states or in international areas should consult with local and state agencies about certification requirements that apply specifically to them and confirmation that the WVU program will satisfy those requirements.
This qualifies as an alternative certification program in West Virginia.
For more details about admission to these programs, please review the information provided under Future Students.
For more details about completion of these programs, please review the information provided under Current Students.
WVU is fully accredited by the North Central Association, while the program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and meets professional standards of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).