Core Faculty in Gifted Education

Gifted Program Chair:

Dr. Joyce VanTassel-Baska
Jody & Layton Smith Professor in Education
757-221-2362

Gifted Education Faculty:

Dr. Carol Tieso
Assistant Professor, School of Education
757-221-2461

Supporting Gifted Education Faculty:

Dr. Kim Chandler, Adjunct Professor

(14 university credit hours)

The endorsement strand involves a series of four Master's level courses, conducted, typically, over a 2-year period and in collaboration with a school district. The courses represent the gifted education concentration within the Master's programs in Curriculum and Instruction and in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership (e.g. CI G80, CI G82, EPPL 612, and EPPL 670). In addition, students are required to complete a 2 credit hour practicum experience. Students completing the full cycle of courses with evidence of clinical experience with gifted learners are eligible for endorsement in gifted education through the Virginia Department of Education. These endorsement course offerings reflect The College of William and Mary's School of Education conceptual framework through preparing content experts, developing educational leaders, promoting reflective practice, and supporting collaboration. In addition, the endorsement opportunities promote interagency collaboration between the School of Education and local school divisions.

Courses usually offered in the Fall:

• CRIN G80 Psychology & Education of Gifted Learners (3 credit hours)
• EPPL 612 Curriculum & Instruction for Gifted Learners (3 credit hours)
• CRIN G84 Practicum in Gifted Education (2 credit hours)

Courses usually offered in the Spring:

• CRIN G82 Socio-Emotional Development & Guidance of Gifted Learners (3 credit hours)
• EPPL 670 Gifted Program Planning, Development, & Evaluation (3 credit hours)
• CRIN G84 Practicum in Gifted Education (2 credit hours)

If you would like someone to contact you regarding the Endorsement in Gifted Education, please complete this form: click here.

Find out more about these courses on pages 67, 86, and 88 in the School of Education Graduate Catalog (click here).

Master’s Level

The master’s level program strands are designed to provide candidates with advanced preparation that links gifted education to general education methodology and practices. Candidates become equipped with the knowledge and skills required to assume leadership roles in gifted education at the local, state, and national levels.

Admission Requirements

• Official application package from the School of Education, College of William and Mary
• Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work
• Acceptable scores (not more than five years old) on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for the Master's in Curriculum and Instruction
• Acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) for the Master's in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership
• Teacher certification in early childhood, elementary, middle, or secondary education or in at least one area of special education
• Baccalaureate degree
• Letters of recommendation completed by three persons qualified to evaluate and endorse the applicant's personal, ethical, and academic or professional qualifications
• $45 non-refundable application fee

Application Deadlines: October 1 and February 1

Contact Information: An application packet can be obtained by writing the Office of Academic Programs, School of Education, College of William and Mary, PO Box 8795, Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8795 or by calling 757-221-2320 or click here .

If you would like someone to contact you regarding these Graduate Programs, please complete this form.

Two options are available at the master’s level:

• M.A.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in gifted education
• M.A. Ed. In Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership with an emphasis in gifted education

M.A.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
with an Emphasis in Gifted Education

• for teachers, program coordinators, administrators who already hold a teaching certification
• preparation to succeed in roles as instructional leaders, including eligibility for Virginia state endorsement in gifted education
• 35 semester hours of study: Foundations (9 hrs); Gifted Education (14 hrs); Elective (3 hrs); General & Special Education linkage (6 hrs); and Research/Thesis (3 hrs)
• participation in a clinical practicum

M.A.Ed. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership
with an Emphasis in Gifted Education

• for teachers, program coordinators, administrators who already hold a teaching certification
• preparation to succeed in roles as administrators in national specialized schools for the gifted, coordinators of gifted programs in local school divisions, or building leaders
• eligibility for Virginia state endorsement in gifted education
• 42-51 semester hours of study, depending on past and desired preparation for certification: Introductory Core (15 hrs); Organizational Leadership (12 hrs); Instructional Leadership (9 hrs); Gifted Education (12 hrs); Internship (3-6 hrs)

Doctoral students may pursue an Ed.D. or Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership with an emphasis in gifted education. The advanced program in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership with an emphasis in Gifted Education is designed for holders of Master's degrees who wish to prepare themselves with the knowledge and skills required to assume leadership roles in gifted education at local, state, and national levels.

Ed.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership - Prepares professionals with the commitment and competence necessary to enhance educational policy and practice in a variety of settings ranging from the individual classroom to administrative offices and government agencies.

Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership - Prepares scholars for service as college and university professors, educational administrators, government or foundation officers, or independent researchers and practitioners

Admission Requirements

• Official application package from the School of Education, College of William and Mary
• Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work
• Acceptable scores (not more than five years old) on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
• A 12-page paper, with references, on a current educational issue of interest
• Letters of recommendation completed by three persons qualified to evaluate and endorse the applicant's personal, ethical, and academic or professional qualifications
• A $45 non-refundable application fee

If you would like someone to contact you regarding these Graduate Programs, please complete this form.

Location: The College of William and Mary is located in Williamsburg, VA, 60 minutes from Richmond, 30 minutes from Newport News, and 60-90 minutes from Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and other southeastern Virginia cities and counties.

Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D.)

The goal of this program is to prepare professionals with the commitment and competence necessary to enhance educational policy and practice in a variety of settings ranging from the individual classroom to administrative offices and government agencies.

• 48 semester hours of study: Core (12 hrs); Gifted Education concentration (21 hrs); Research (9 hrs); Dissertation (6 hrs)
• A maximum of 12 hours from other institutions may count toward the required total for the Ed.D.
• Seven year limit to complete degree if holding a Master's degree as a newly admitted student; four year limit if holding or in process of earning an educational specialist degree (Ed.S.)
• Residency requirement: Ed.D. students must enroll in six hours of course work for two consecutive semesters (fall, spring, or summer), excluding internships and dissertation credit.

Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.)

The goal of this program is to prepare scholars for service as college and university professors, educational administrators, government or foundation officers, or independent researchers and practitioners.

• 69 semester hours of study: Core (12 hrs); Gifted Education concentration (21 hrs); Research (15 hrs); Cognate (12 hrs); Dissertation (9 hrs)
• A maximum of 12 hours from other institutions may count toward the required total for the Ph.D.
• Seven year limit to complete degree if holding a Master's degree as a newly admitted student; four year limit if holding or in process of earning an educational specialist degree (Ed.S.)
• Residency requirement: Ph.D. students must enroll in nine hours of course work for two consecutive semesters (fall, spring, or summer), excluding internships and dissertation credit.
  

Center for Gifted Education Opportunities for Graduate Students

Students in the Master's and Doctoral programs are encouraged to become involved in on-going initiatives, projects, and research with the Center for Gifted Education. Full time graduate students may apply to become graduate assistants. Center opportunities for students include curriculum development, research, evaluation, teaching, conference attendance and presentations, and implementation of specialized contracts. These special activities provide valuable learning experiences that respond to students' intellectual and socio-emotional needs in order to foster the talent development of the individual.