Education: Gifted Education Concentration, Master of Education
The Master of Education (MEd) program at CSU Pueblo is designed to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in PK–12 classrooms by preparing master teachers with deep expertise in their content areas, effective teaching practices, and ongoing professional development.
The Gifted Education concentration is designed primarily to lead to an added teaching endorsement in Gifted Education Core. It also provides the academic foundation necessary to teach in higher education settings—such as concurrent enrollment programs, community colleges, or four-year institutions.
Graduate Admission Policies & Procedures
Admission
Regular status will be given to degree-seeking students who meet all of the following requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by the regional accreditation agency (or equivalent).
- A minimum 3.000 cumulative GPA. Conditional admission may be granted for candidates with cumulative GPAs lower than 2.500, but whose recent graduate GPA (at least 15 hours) is above 3.000
- A letter of interest that outlines the candidate’s reason(s) for applying to the M.Ed. program and how they expect to both benefit from and contribute to it.
- Two recommendations from Individuals who can speak to potential success in graduate school.
- Significant teaching experience. Candidates must provide documentation of the quantity and quality of this experience within their letter of interest.
International students whose native language is not English must also meet the English language proficiency standard set forth in the Graduate Admissions section of the CSU-Pueblo Catalog.
Continuation
To continue in the program, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.000.
Program Completion
All students must fulfill the following requirements for a graduate degree:
- A cumulative graduate GPA of 3.000 or better at graduation. A maximum of six semester hours of course work at the grade of C+ or C may be applied toward graduation. A maximum number of nine semester hours of transfer credit may be applied to the degree.
- Regular student status.
- The program’s minimum number of hours of approved course work (38 semester hours).
- Completion of a final portfolio review and oral examination. The portfolio project includes a directed research project.
- Submission of a graduation planning sheet signed by the student’s graduate advisor and program director, in accordance with published deadlines during the semester is to occur. The deadline for submission is published in the Semester Notes, University Calendar, and CSU Pueblo Catalog.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Educators of gifted learners demonstrate an understanding of the array of unique needs and development of those learners by creating inclusive learning environments with effective curriculum and instruction, including culturally and linguistically diverse considerations.
- Educators of gifted learners follow best practices in the identification and assessment of those learners and make data-driven decisions about program improvement.
- Educators of gifted learners demonstrate professionalism through ethical conduct, reflection, collaboration, and communication.
Program Overview
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 11 |
| Pedagogy Requirements | 9 |
| Concentration Requirements | 18 |
| Total Credits | 38 |
Specific Program Requirements
The degree is designed with three components:
- Core courses in research and professional change;
- Pedagogy courses in literacy, differentiation of instruction, and technology; and
- Courses in a concentration area chosen by the graduate student.
A unique feature of the degree is its alignment with the standards of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and participants’ opportunity to work towards national board certification as they complete the degree.
Component 1: Core Requirements (11 hours)
Organizational change and school reform, as well as the responsibilities of professional leadership related to educational change, are emphasized in the core. The four courses in Component 1 are to be taken sequentially with the final course completed as the capstone experience in the program. It is like your master's defense course. All courses focus on knowledge and skills related to teacher change and leadership as a change agent in the schools. Concentration in interpreting and conducting research is included.
Students must have a valid teaching credential to take the Core courses.
Course Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ED 502 | Teacher As Change Agent (Core 1) | 3 |
| ED 503 | Teacher as Researcher (Core 2) | 3 |
| ED 504 | Leading Change in America's Schools (Core 3) | 3 |
| ED 593 | Seminar | 2 |
| or ED 581 | Practicum & Seminar in Education | |
| Total Credits | 11 | |
Component 2: Pedagogy Requirements (choose 3 hours from each category, 9 hours total)
CSU Pueblo recognizes that master teachers demonstrate expertise in understanding and applying current best practices in each of the following areas: literacy education, instructional technology, and differentiation of instruction for all learners. All three were selected because recent research has indicated that application of best practices in these three areas will impact the quality of student achievement in P-12 classrooms. Teachers will select courses with input from their graduate advisor. Courses cannot be double counted in any Component area (Core, Pedagogy, and/or Concentration).
Instructional Technology
Graduate students may select instructional technology courses offered by the University, with approval of their faculty advisors. Sample courses include:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits. Samples include the following: | 3 | |
| Graduate Topics in Education | 0.5-3 | |
| Educational Media and Technology | 3 | |
| Teaching & Managing Technology | 3 | |
| Literacy & Technology | 3 | |
| Diverse Learners & Technology | 3 | |
| Hardware & Networking for Educators | 3 | |
| Instructional Theory & Tech Design | 3 | |
| Multimedia Design | 3 | |
| Technology & Assessment Tools | 3 | |
| Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Education | 3 | |
| The Technology Coordinator | 3 | |
| Distance Learning | 3 | |
| Special Topics | 1-3 | |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Differentiation of Instruction
Graduate students may select differentiation courses offered by the University, with approval of their faculty advisors. Sample courses include:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits from any differentiation course, including the following: | 3 | |
| Teaching English Language Learners | 3 | |
| Content Instruction for EL Learners | 3 | |
| Practices in EC Special Education | 3 | |
| Graduate Topics in Education Only Brain Based Differentiation counts for this Pedagogy area. | 0.5-3 | |
| Teaching Diverse Learners | 3 | |
| Diverse Learners & Technology | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Literacy Education
Graduate students may select literacy courses differentiation courses offered by the University, with approval of their faculty advisors. Sample courses include:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 3 credits from any literacy course, including the following: | 3 | |
| Literacy for Eng Lang Learners | 3 | |
| Graduate Topics in Education Only Integrated Literacy counts for Pedagogy area. | 0.5-3 | |
| Literacy & Technology | 3 | |
| Graduate Topics in Reading | 0.5-3 | |
| Advanced Teaching of Reading I | 3 | |
| Advanced Teaching of Writing | 2 | |
| Advanced Disciplinary Literacy | 3 | |
| SPED Literacy Assessment & Intervention | 3 | |
| Advanced Linguistics for Educators | 3 | |
| Special Topics | 1-3 | |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Component 3: Concentration Area Requirements (18 hours in one area)
The purpose of Component 3 of this program is the development of knowledge and skills related to gifted education, with a focus on adding the Gifted Education Core (ages 4-21) endorsement to a Colorado teaching license. The 24 credit hours shown below include all courses required for the added endorsement, where ED 611 and ED 612 meet the Pedagogy Requirements (Component 2) of Differentiation of Instruction and Instructional Technology, respectively. The remaining 18 credit hours constitute the formal concentration.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| All courses below are required for the added endorsement of Gifted Education Core (ages 4-21). Only 18 credits are needed for the concentration. | 18 | |
| ED 610 | Gifted Learner Development | 3 |
| ED 611 | Learning Environments for Gifted Learners | 3 |
| ED 612 | Instructional Strategies for Gifted Learners | 3 |
| ED 613 | Curriculum for Gifted Learners | 3 |
| ED 614 | Assessment & Evaluation in Gifted Education | 3 |
| ED 615 | Foundations & Ethics in Gifted Education | 3 |
| ED 616 | Collaboration & Communication in Gifted Education | 3 |
| ED 681 | Practicum in Gifted Education | 3 |
Additional courses in Gifted Education may be substituted with approval of the Program Director.