Part of the Graduate School of Education
Gifted Education, AC
Our advanced certificate program in gifted education is for you if you are interested in unlocking the potential and addressing the specific needs of high ability students of all backgrounds; in becoming a leader for gifted programming in your school or district; or in enhancing your general education teaching repertoire with creative strategies to differentiate instruction and adapt curriculum for the benefit of ALL students. Our program is aligned with the National Association for Gifted Children Teacher Preparation Standards and with New York State Education Department requirements.
Why Gifted Education at UB?
- Become a talent-scout. Our equity-oriented program focusses on identifying assets in children and teens using varied lenses, rather than on exclusive gatekeeping.
- Add value to your teaching portfolio. Beyond learning how to meet the unique intellectual, emotional, and social needs of the gifted learners in your classroom, you will develop your ability to impact the learning of ALL students. Examples of techniques covered in our coursework are: development of student thinking dispositions; multi-modal expression; making thinking visible; learning based on voice-and-choice projects, community problems, and entrepreneurship.
- Become a leader in gifted programming for your school or district. Gain expertise about trends and issues in gifted education. You will be prepared to advocate for gifted students, to advise your colleagues, and to help your school implement ethical and equitable practices for non-biased place-based identification and services.
- Take advantage of flexible enrollment (take courses 1 or 2 per semester in any order), flexible delivery (online asynchronous) and choice of tracks (NY State certified teachers or non-NY State certified teachers).
- Choose our standards-aligned coursework. Our curriculum conforms to the National Associate for Gifted Children teacher preparation standards and with New York State Education Department requirements, including content on the NY state certification exam and the Praxis Gifted Education Test.
Program Overview
| Academic credential granted | Advanced Certificate (AC) |
|---|---|
| Credits required for completion | 12 to 15 |
| Time to completion | 2 to 4 part-time semesters |
| Course delivery | Online asynchronous |
| Careers |
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| Application deadline | Application for spring 2023 opens September 1, 2022. Priority Deadlines Fall: Feb. 1, then rolling Spring: Nov. 1, then rolling |
Students can enter the program in the spring or fall and can choose to take one or two courses each semester.
Courses Available in Spring Semesters
- LAI 800 Characteristics and Needs of Gifted Learners
- LAI 801 Differentiated Models and Curriculum for Gifted Learners
Courses Available in Fall Semesters
- LAI 802 Instruction and Assessment of Gifted Learners
- LAI 803 Curricular Leadership and Advocacy for Gifted Learners
Optional Additional Course in Spring, Fall or Summer
- LAI 515 Action Research
To comply with New York State Education Department (NYSED) regulations for New York State teachers, this program has two tracks: "Track A" and "Track B." Please note the curriculum, pace, instruction and rigor of this program are identical for all participants.
› Track A — For NYS Certified Teachers Only
› Track B — For Teachers NOT Holding NYS Certification
› International Applicant Additional Requirements
Track A — For NYS Certified Teachers Only
This track is for certified New York State teachers who hold initial, professional, provisional or permanent certification. If you hold New York State teaching certification, you will be recommended to NYSED for the gifted certification extension.
Submit your completed online application, which includes:
- Application fee: A $50 non-refundable application fee, submitted electronically through UB's ePayment system.
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. (UB transcripts are automatically submitted for current UB students and alumni.)
- Submit proof of NYS teaching certification (initial, professional, provisional or permanent). You must hold certification by your anticipated program start date.
- Contact information for one individual who will be asked to provide an electronic recommendation letter.
- Personal statement: A clearly written personal statement that contextualizes your beliefs about teaching and learning, and speaks to your committment to unlock the potential of gifted students and all students.
Former/Maiden Name: Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.
Admissions Decision: The admissions decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Field Work
The New York State Department of Education (NYSED) requires that all students earning an advanced certificate in gifted education complete 50 hours of supervised field work. To satisfy this requirement, your curriculum includes field work experience in all of your required courses. You must identify a supervising teacher to oversee your field work within 30 days of starting your program. The school site will be arranged by the student and subject to approval from the department's clinical coordinator.
Track B - For Teachers NOT Holding NYS Certification
This track is for any teacher not holding New York State teacher certification (i.e., New York State teachers without certification and not interested in NYS certification, such as non-NYS and/or non-US teachers). Our curriculum and standards exceed most standards in the area of gifted education. However, you may choose to submit our curriculum to your local certifying agency prior to applying to verify if the curriculum meets your local standards.
Submit your completed online application, which includes:
- Application fee: A $50 non-refundable application fee, submitted electronically through UB's ePayment system.
- Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended. (UB transcripts are automatically submitted for current UB students and alumni.)
- Contact information for one individual who will be asked to provide an electronic recommendation letter.
- Personal statement: A clearly written personal statement that contextualizes your beliefs about teaching and learning, and speaks to your committment to unlock the potential of gifted students and all students.
Former/Maiden Name: Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.
Admissions Decision: The admissions decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Field Work
This curriculum includes field work experience in all of your required courses. You may want to verify field work requirements with your local certifying agency prior to applying. We include 50 hours of field work in keeping with New York State Department of Education (NYSED) requirements. You must identify a supervising teacher to oversee your field work within 30 days of starting your program. The school site will be arranged by the student and subject to approval from the department's clinical coordinator.
International Applicant Information
In-state Residency Tuition
In order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you are required to provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months prior to your semester start date.
If accepted, you will need to upload 3 documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application for more information.
International Applicant Additional Requirements
- Official original proof of your degree
- A copy of your passport biographical page
- Official test scores for either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic. Test scores must be dated within two years of submitting your application.
- TOEFL minimum score is a 250 for a computer based test, 600 for a paper based test and 96 for the Internet based test
- IELTS minimum score is 7.0 overall
- PTE minimum score is 55 overall
- Financial documentation — International graduate applicants must document their ability to pay for all costs incurred while studying in the U.S.
- An official bank statement
All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application, and must be dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.
Are you an international student and unable to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL?
If you are currently unable to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL tests because they are canceled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the University at Buffalo will accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) for proof of English proficiency. This test can be taken online, in your own home. More information can be found on the Graduate School’s website.
The TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition is a safe and convenient option for students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT test at a test center due to public health concerns.
Questions about the program?
Frequently Asked Questions
We have a collection of frequently asked questions that may help you. If your questions are still unanswered, we are glad to help! Contact our admission office.
Questions About the Admission Process?
Graduate School of Education
366 Baldy Hall, North Campus
716-645-2110
gseinfo@buffalo.edu
University Computing Standards
You are required to have daily access to a reliable broadband connection and a computer that meets university computing standards. You are also expected to have basic computer competency before beginning your coursework.