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Gifted Education: Certificate

The online graduate certificate in gifted education focuses on preparing teachers and administrators to address the characteristics and needs of gifted children. Completion allows licensed educators to pursue the Gifted Education add-on endorsement.

At a Glance

Program Results

Certificate

Gifted Education

Career Objective

Teacher of gifted students, coordinator of gifted education programs, administrative positions

Program Type

  • Part Time

Location

  • Online

Estimated Length

1-4 semesters

Application Deadline

Spring entry: December 1

Summer entry:

  • February 1 (early notification deadline)
  • May 15 (final deadline)

Fall entry:

  • March 1 (early notification deadline)
  • July 15 (final deadline)

About This Program

The graduate certificate in gifted education provides practicing and aspiring teachers with the skills and knowledge to identify and meet the needs of highly able students from diverse backgrounds. Topics in this course series include an overview of issues in the definition of giftedness, identification, curriculum, instructional strategies, program options, special populations and evaluation.

The graduate certificate in gifted education will:

  • Develop educators’ understanding of the field of gifted education;
  • Prepare teachers and administrators to make research-based decisions in developing programs and curriculum for gifted students;
  • Prepare teachers and administrators to teach gifted students;
  • Increase educator appreciation of the wide range of giftedness and the issues in identifying and serving gifted students from diverse populations; and
  • Strengthen and enhance leadership capacity in the field of gifted education.

Requirements for Add-On Endorsement in Gifted Education Candidates

To learn more about the VDOE requirements for licensure in Gifted Education, you may review the Administrative Code here.

Important Notes:

  • This certificate program does not satisfy initial teaching licensure requirements. If you are seeking an initial teaching license, visit our Become a Teacher page.
  • For students who may desire to pursue a master’s degree, coursework for this certificate program can contribute to the M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction.

Program Overview

Admission Requirements

Students may enter the program during the summer, fall, or spring semesters.

Prerequisites

An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution (or international equivalent) with an overall GPA of at least 3.00.

Admission requirements that apply specifically to this program are listed below:

All applicants must submit the following as part of the online application:

  • Two letters of recommendation
  • A statement of professional goals (1-2 pages)
  • Resume
  • Transcripts from prior post-secondary degree(s). Applicants may submit unofficial transcripts with their application; however, official transcripts are required prior to matriculation. 

Transferring Credits

It is possible to apply up to three (3) graduate credits toward a certificate, with advisor approval, and provided the coursework is no older than five years at the completion of the course of study. This includes any courses that are part of this program if completed prior to admission to the program. All other University of Virginia coursework must be earned after admission to the certificate program. Students are responsible for knowing the requirements for admission to, and completion of, the gifted education certificate and reaching out to the contact listed on this page for planning purposes. 

Visit our Graduate Admission page for the full admission process.

Graduate Admission

Application for admission is made to the School of Education and Human Development Office of Admission & Enrollment. For more information about the graduate admission process, please visit our Graduate Admission page.

Graduate Admission

Coursework

The certificate program provides the didactic coursework necessary to satisfy the pedagogical content coursework component of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Gifted Education endorsement. The program does provide the experiential requirement for the endorsement. To obtain the VDOE Gifted Education endorsement, graduates of the certificate program need to complete a 45-hour practicum or one year of teaching under the guidance of a mentor teacher endorsed in Gifted Education. The 45-hour practicum is offered through this certificate program.

This certificate program does not satisfy initial teaching licensure requirements.

Certificate in Gifted Education Courses

  • EDIS 7220: Intro to the Gifted (3 credits) (Take as first course)
  • EDIS 7250: Models and Strategies for Teaching the Gifted (3 credits)
  • EDIS 5770: Social, Emotional, and Counseling Issues in Talent Development (3 credits)
  • EDIS 7230: Curriculum for the Gifted and Talented (3 credits) 

In addition, students pursuing the Gifted Learners endorsement must fulfill a practicum requirement through one of two options:

  • Students may opt to complete a practicum through UVA as part of EDIS 7250, which requires 45 instructional hours; or
  • Students may opt to complete one year of full-time teaching supervised by a teacher who holds a current VDOE gifted endorsement. Teachers selecting this option typically work with their school to identify a qualified supervisor and then submit documentation to both UVA and VDOE verifying a year of supervised full-time teaching.

Gifted Education Course Descriptions

Information on courses that are part of the Graduate Certificate in Gifted Education curriculum can be found on the UVA Graduate Record website.

Curriculum

Professional Learning Opportunities

Courses that are part of the certificate in gifted education are available to be taken as a course series. Prospective students may also request permission to enroll in individual courses as a non-degree student seeking open enrollment.

Taking these courses as an online course series:

  • Educators and practitioners will be equipped with the tools needed to design effective instruction and increased appreciation of the wide range of giftedness and the issues in identifying and serving gifted students from diverse populations.
  • Students will build on their previous experience and education to expand their knowledge and skills.
  • Courses can be used for professional development and licensure recertification points.
  • Students can transfer one course from this course series into the Gifted Education Certificate. 

Non-degree student seeking open-enrollment:

  • Not sure about committing to a graduate degree or certificate program? Sample our courses by enrolling as a non-degree seeking student. Most of our courses are fully online. Students should fill out the non-degree student application at least a week prior to the start of the desired term. Early submission is recommended to secure spots in desired classes.

Students interested in pursuing the course series or taking individual courses as a non-degree student must fill out a Non-degree Student form at least a week before the start of the desired term; no application is needed. Early submission is recommended to secure spots in desired classes.

Visit our Professional Learning page to learn more about course series or non-degree student admission.

Course Series and Non-degree Student Application

Students interested in pursuing the course series or taking individual courses as a non-degree student must fill out a Non-degree Student form at least a week before the start of the desired term; no application is needed. Early submission is recommended to secure spots in desired classes.

Non-Degree Application

Contact Us

Information Sessions

All Admission Events

The school hosts a variety of admission events including information sessions and open houses for prospective students as they explore our degree program offerings. View upcoming opportunities to engage with faculty and staff.

Online Graduate Certificate Programs - Virtual Information Session - October 7, 2026

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  • Virtual: Zoom
Register

How to Become a Teacher - Virtual Information Session - October 14, 2026

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  • Virtual: Zoom
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Disclosures

As a member of the State Authorizations Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), the University of Virginia (UVA) is authorized to provide curriculum in a distance learning environment to students located in all states in the United States except for California. (34 CFR 668.43(a)(6)& 34 CFR 668.72(n)). Although California does not participate in SARA, it allows students to enroll in out-of-state programs.

Upon completion of the Teaching Gifted Learners in Prek-12 Education Certificate at the UVA School of Education and Human Development, graduates may be eligible for initial professional licensure in another U.S. state by applying to the licensing board or agency in that state.

Please visit the University’s state authorization web pages to make an informed decision regarding which states’ educational requirements for initial licensure are met by this program. (668.43(a)(5) (v)(A) - (C))

Enrolled students who change their current (or mailing) address to a state other than Virginia should update this information immediately in the Student Information System as it may impact their ability to complete internship, practicum, or clinical hours, use Title IV funds, or meet licensure or certification requirements in the new state. (34 CFR 668.402).