*Certified Indiana Teachers may also add on a High Ability License upon Certificate Program Completion

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM

The Graduate Certificate of Gifted, Creative, and Talented (G/C/T) Studies program provides teachers with the professional training needed to work with gifted, creative, and talented students. Educators who successfully complete the four graduate-level courses will be awarded a Graduate Certificate of Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies. Certified Indiana educators are also eligible to for a High Ability Add-on License through the Indiana State Department of Education upon completion of the certificate program.

The Purdue Graduate Certificate of G/C/T Studies develops the skills necessary for those who will lead and/or teach in programs for gifted and talented students, as well as for all classroom teachers who want to provide high-ability students with appropriately challenging educational experiences. Students completing the program will develop an understanding of the cognitive, affective, and social characteristics of gifted and talented learners in different talent domains. They will be able to differentiate curriculum and instruction, develop high ability programs, enhance thinking skills, and facilitate the social and affective development of high ability students.

The Purdue Graduate Certificate of G/C/T Studies program is performance-based. Students who successfully complete the program demonstrate proficiency on professional and state standards for gifted education. Graduates of our program who are interested in adding a High Ability License to their existing Indiana Instructional License will be prepared to take the Indiana CORE Assessment for High Ability Studies, which leads to the award of the High Ability License.

COURSE OF STUDY 

EDPS 54000 - Gifted, Creative, and Talented Children

• Offerings: Summer (online), Fall (online), and Spring (face-to-face)
• Prerequisites: None 
• This course is an introduction to the intellectual, social, and emotional characteristics of gifted youth. The philosophy of gifted education as well as the history and theories of giftedness are explored. The course framework encompasses a multi-talent conception of giftedness: intellectual, academic, creative, artistic, and leadership.  

EDPS 54200 – Curriculum and Program Development in Gifted Education

• Offerings: Fall (online) and Fall (face-to-face)
• Prerequisites: EDPS 54000 
• Students in this course will examine ideas and strategies for developing programs and curriculum for gifted, creative, and talented studies. The course   serves the needs of teachers and administrators who are developing or coordinating programs. Topics that will be explored include program design; curriculum design or modification; development or selection of high-quality resources; professional development for program personnel; and program evaluation.

EDPS 54500 – Social and Affective Development of Gifted Students

• Offerings: Summer (face-to-face), Summer (online), and Spring (online)
• Prerequisites: None 
• This course focuses on the social and emotional development of gifted and talented students. An overview of the characteristics and needs of gifted subpopulations, diversity issues, and family/parenting concerns are provided. Current educational approaches for these issues and counseling interventions will be discussed.  

EDPS 69500 – Practicum in Gifted Education

• Offerings: Spring (online only)
• Prerequisites: EDPS 54000, EDPS 54500, EDPS 54200 
• This is a performance-based course is designed to be the culminating experience for teachers in the program. It is offered as an asynchronous online course in an independent study format to facilitate individualization of assignments that are responsive to different instructional contexts. The practicum experience provides an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills learned in the prerequisite courses (EDPS 54000, EPDS 54200, and EDPS 54500) through a variety of structured, self-directed activities. The central theme of the course is to prepare teachers to be reflective practitioners when working with gifted, creative, or talented students.

PROGRAM FORMAT 

Students may take any combination of online or face-to-face courses. It is highly recommended that pre-service teachers participate in the face-to-face course options. All courses are taught by GERI faculty or approved instructors.  

Practicing educators who are willing to commit to intensive study can complete the four-course sequence in as little as 12 months. However, students may take up to five years to complete the program.  

Fast Track Online Cohort (1 Year)

• Summer            EDPS 54000: Gifted, Creative, and Talented Children
• Summer            EDPS 54500: Social and Affective Development of Gifted Children
• Fall                   EDPS 54200: Program and Curriculum Development in Gifted Education
• Spring               EDPS 69500: Practicum in Gifted Education  

Traditional Online Cohort (2 Years)

• Fall                  EDPS 54000: Gifted, Creative, and Talented Children
• Spring              EDPS 54500: Social and Affective Development of Gifted Children
• Fall                  EDPS 54200: Program and Curriculum Development in Gifted Education
• Spring              EDPS 69500: Practicum in Gifted Education            

Suggested Progression for Purdue Undergraduate Teacher Candidates (Face-to-Face)           

• Spring              EDPS 54000: Gifted, Creative, and Talented Children
• Summer           EDPS 54500: Social and Affective Development of Gifted Children
• Fall                  EDPS 54200: Program and Curriculum Development in Gifted Education
• Spring              EDPS 69500: Practicum in Gifted Education (online)

General Schedule of Courses   

Admission Requirements 

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
2. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0/4.0 with the possibility of conditional admission for applicants who do not meet this requirement.
3. Minimum TOEFL score of 550 or higher on the paper-based test, 213 or higher on the computer-based test, or 77 on the Internet-based test (iBT) for applicants whose native language is not English, with the possibility of exceptions. Contact the program coordinator for additional information if alternative criteria are necessary.
4. Students who are currently admitted to a post-baccalaureate or graduate degree program are eligible to earn a certificate.
5. Undergraduate education majors of junior or senior standing may enroll in 500-level certificate courses and either apply the credits to their undergraduate degree to earn an Indiana High Ability Add-on License only or reserve the credits for the Graduate Certificate plan of study with High-Ability Add-on Licensure. See undergraduate application instructions for more details.
6. A maximum of 6 credit hours may be taken prior to admission to the program.    

Applicaion Procedures

 Note:  If you have previously been accepted as a licensure candidate but have not taken courses on the Purdue campus for a full calendar year, you will need to complete a renewal application prior to registering for classes and pay an additional $60 application fee.

 To apply for the Certificate of Gifted, Creative, and Talented studies:   

1. Complete an Application through the Purdue Graduate School - $60 for US residents/$75 for international students 

Start an application as a new user. To route your application to the correct program, select the following options:

Select West Lafayette as your campus.

Select Educational Studies as your major.

Select Gifted Education as your area of interest.

Select Non Degree as your enrollment objective.

Select your entry term and year.

Select Non-Degree for your educational goal.

Select Dr. Kristina Ayers Paul or Dr. Marcia Gentry as your requested advisor.

Notes:

• Graduate fellowships and assistantships are not available for this program.
• GRE scores are not required.
• TOEFL scores are required for students whose native language is not English. See admission requirements above for minimum score requirements. 

1. Register for classes through Purdue Extended Campus.
2. Sign up for the GERI Teachers email list at https://lists.purdue.edu/mailman/listinfo/geri-teachers. 

For Indiana-certified educators who would ALSO like to receive a High Ability Add-on License: 

1. Questions about licensure may be directed to the Office of Professional Preparation and Licensure (OPPL).
2. Complete a Transcript Evaluation Request ($35 fee), an Indiana requirement for licensure.
3. Note: Teachers with a "professional" grade or a life license under Rules 46-47 or Bulletin 400, or an accomplished practitioner under Rules 2002, must complete 15 credit hours - check with the Office of Professional Preparation and Licensure).  

Purdue undergraduate education majors:  

1. Work with your advisor to complete Registrar Form 350 to reserve your coursework in gifted education for your post-baccalaureate transcript.
2. Upon receiving your baccalaureate degree, apply for the program using the procedures listed above.
3. Successfully complete EPDS 69500 as a practicing teacher.  

Need Help?

For questions about the Certificate and/or Licensure Program, contact Dr. Kristina Ayers Paul, Assistant Professor of Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies at kayerspaul@purdue.edu.

For questions about the program application process, please contact Holly Fiock with the Office of Graduate Studies at education-gradoffice@purdue.edu.  

For questions from off campus students about registering for courses through the Purdue Extended Campus (PEC), please contact Melody Carducci with Purdue Extended Campus at mmcbrite@purdue.edu 

Helpful links:

Gifted Education Resource Institute (GERI)

College of Education Graduate Office

Purdue Extended Campus (PEC)

Office of Professional Preparation and Licensure (OPPL)