Online and Distance Degrees > Degree Programs > MA in Special Education – Gifted and Talented

Master of Arts (MA)/Educational Specialist (EdS) in
Special Education - Gifted and Talented P-12 Certification

Online

Program Overview

The University of Alabama’s College of Education Special Education and Multiple Abilities Department offers three programs in the area of gifted – the MA in Special Education with Gifted and Talented P-12 certification, a master’s level certification-only program leading to Gifted and Talented P-12 certification, and an Educational Specialist in Special Education with Gifted and Talented P-12 certification.

Program Format
Online
Credit Hours
30-36
Tuition Per Hour
$440

Bring More to the Classroom

Emphasis is placed on experiences that will lead to an understanding of the special nature and needs of students who are gifted and talented, the application of a variety of instructional models and appropriate educational strategies, and the development of skills necessary to plan and implement differentiated educational programming.

For the MA program, those who currently hold bachelor’s level teaching certification are eligible to apply. The 100% online format allows educators to continue to work full time while pursuing an advanced degree and a new career path. The program leads to master’s level teaching certification in Gifted and Talented P-12.

A certification-only option is designed for educators who have earned a master’s degree and hold a valid master’s level teaching certificate.

The EdS with Gifted and Talented P-12 certification is formatted to fit the life of a full-time educator, allowing you to continue serving students as you apply what you’re learning to enhance your methods. A master’s level teacher certification is required for admission. Students who enroll in the EdS program and do not hold master’s level certification in special education may need to complete additional coursework. The program leads to Class AA certification in Gifted and Talented P-12.

The MA in Special Education (Gifted and Talented P-12 Certification) has been recognized as a leader in online education.

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Application DeadlineApplications accepted year round
Fees$10 College of Education graduate fee (per credit hour)

Curriculum

The 30 to 36-credit-hour MA program offers courses, following state guidelines, that lead to master’s level teacher certification. An educator graduating from the MA program will be eligible to apply for master’s level certification in Gifted and Talented P-12. The 33 to 36-credit-hour EdS program offers courses, following state guidelines, which allow an educator with the degree to apply for Class AA certification in Gifted and Talented P-12. Please note that courses are subject to change.

Required Courses

BER 500 Introduction to Educational Research
SPE 500 Introduction to Exceptional Children and Youth (required for those who have not taken a special education survey course)
SPE 501 Diagnosis and Assessment of Exceptional Children and Youth (required for those who have not had an assessment/evaluation course in an undergraduate or another graduate program)
SPE 581 Psychology of Gifted and Talented Children and Youth
SPE 582 Teaching the Gifted and Talented
SPE 583 Creative Problem-Solving Seminar
SPE 584 Special Populations in Gifted Education
SPE 585 Teaching Thinking Skills
SPE 589 Internship in Gifted and Talented*
Foundations Course – approved by adviser
Adviser-approved elective

In addition to required coursework, a passing score on a comprehensive exam is required.

*Two 3-credit-hour internship courses are required

BER 500 Introduction to Educational Research
SPE 500 Introduction to Exceptional Children and Youth (required for those who have not taken a special education survey course) OR
SPE 606 Topical Seminar in Special Education OR
SPE 501 Diagnosis and Assessment of Exceptional Children and Youth (required for those who have not had an assessment/evaluation course in an undergraduate or another graduate program)
SPE 581 Psychology of Gifted and Talented Children and Youth
SPE 582 Teaching the Gifted and Talented
SPE 583 Creative Problem-Solving Seminar
SPE 584 Special Populations in Gifted Education
SPE 585 Teaching Thinking Skills
SPE 589 Internship in Gifted and Talented*
Foundations Course – approved by adviser
Adviser-approved elective

*Two 3-credit-hour internship courses are required, but 3 hours may be approved from previous master’s level certification program to satisfy 3 of the 6 required credit hours

SPE 606 Topical Seminar in Special Education
SPE 612 Readings and Research in Special Education Gifted and Talented*
SPE 613 Consultation Processing in Special Education Programs
SPE 617 Special Education Leadership, Policy and Law
SPE 681 Issues in Gifted Education
SPE 682 Advanced Curriculum Workshop in Gifted Education*
BER 540 Statistical Methods in Education
BER 631 Inquiry as Interpretation: Qualitative I
Foundations Course – approved by adviser

*6 credit hours

Students who enroll in the EdS in Special Education program and do not hold master’s level certification in Gifted and Talented may need to complete additional coursework.

A passing score on a comprehensive written exam is required.

Admission

Applications are accepted each semester for all programs. A completed application package includes unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a Graduate School application.

Bachelor’s level professional educator certificate in a teaching field
Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or 3.0 average for the last 60 hours of a degree program, or a 3.0 or higher in completed graduate degree program

A master’s degree from an accredited institution with a valid Alabama Class A professional educator certificate
- A valid bachelor’s level professional educator certificate in a teaching field is required if the Alabama Class A professional educator certificate is in an area of instructional support
3.0 or higher in completed graduate degree program

A transcript evaluation is required before admission. In addition to the other requirements, applicants should select the non-degree Graduate School application option when applying to the certification-only program and select the “Class A Gifted Certification Only” option when prompted.

Admission to the EdS program requires the following: