Special Education and Child Development: Academically or Intellectually Gifted, M.Ed.

Program Overview

The M.Ed. in Special Education with a Concentration in Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) is designed to cultivate advanced competencies in gifted education, empowering graduates to become knowledgeable experts in their schools, districts, and statewide. This fully online, part-time program includes 11 graduate-level courses totaling 33 credit hours. It incorporates the four-course Graduate Certificate in AIG as an initial entry point, allowing candidates to apply for the M.Ed. before, during, or within three years of completing the certificate.

Coursework and Requirements:

  • Writing-intensive courses focused on best practices for AIG teaching and learning.
  • Practical application of skills in public or private school classrooms.
  • Access to a classroom with AIG or advanced students is required for field experience.
  • Capstone research project as a culminating experience.

Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the Master of Education in Special Education: AIG will be able to:

  1. Employ Diverse Instructional Practices: Enrich, extend, and accelerate the standard curriculum for gifted students.
  2. Serve as Collaborative Leaders: Be effective, reflective, and responsive instructional leaders for AIG students.
  3. Apply Research-Based Strategies: Address the instructional and affective needs of gifted and academically advanced learners.
  4. Design Original Research: Implement a research study to solve a problem or issue in gifted education.
  5. Collaborate Effectively: Work with AIG teachers, colleagues, and parents to enhance student learning.

Program Contact

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  • Delivery
    Online
  • Credits
    33 Credit Hours
  • Admits
    Fall, Spring & Summer

Advance your career with UNC Charlotte’s Special Education and Child Development: Academically or Intellectually Gifted, M.Ed. program. Designed for educators, this program enhances your skills in identifying and nurturing gifted students, providing specialized strategies for their unique learning needs.

What Our Alumni Say

Elizabeth Henley

When selecting a university to pursue my AIG certification, UNC Charlotte was my first choice. The close proximity of the campus, even though the program is delivered in its entirety online, was a definite must. I enjoyed the opportunity to work with educators across North Carolina, a few in my district, and always looked forward to familiar “faces” in subsequent courses. Throughout each course, I learned more about my students, and my daughter. Their gifts and talents are what make them special, and the AIG label does not encapsulate one type of student, but a multitude of individuals whose uniqueness sets them apart from others.

Elizabeth Henley ’18,
Special Education and Child Development: Academically or Intellectually Gifted, M.Ed.
Rowan Salisbury Schools
Courses

This program is offered as a part-time program. The 12 graduate-level credit hours completed through the online AIG Graduate Certificate program can be applied directly to the online M.Ed. for those meeting M.Ed. admission requirements.

Curriculum: AIG Concentration
Phase I: Developing Perspective (15 credit hours)

  • SPED 5211: Nature and Needs of Gifted Students
  • SPED 6124: Methods of Instructing Gifted Students
  • SPED 6161: Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Students
  • SPED 6224: Adapting Curriculum Materials and Classroom Differentiation
  • RSCH 7111: Qualitative Research Methods or another 3-credit RSCH course as approved by advisor

Phase II: Content and Pedagogy (15 credit hours)

  • SPED 6241: Advanced Curriculum for Gifted Students
  • SPED 6270: Gifted Assessment and Program Evaluation
  • SPED 6637: Theory and Development of Creativity
  • SPED 6695: Research Proposal in AIG
  • SPED 6696: Research Implementation in AIG

Introductory Research Course (3 credit hours)

  • RSCH 6101: Research Methods

Prospective students should be prepared to participate in our academically rigorous program of writing-intensive courses in which they will learn about best practices in AIG teaching, learning, and program development and apply these skills to their work with AIG students in public or private school classrooms and related educational settings. Prospective applicants must have access to a classroom with AIG or advanced students to meet the program’s field experience requirements.  A capstone research project completed by each candidate serves as the program’s culminating experience.

Admissions

Admissions & Requirements:

  • Complete the Graduate School Admission Application.
  • A bachelor’s degree from a university accredited by a US Department of Education-recognized institutional accreditor.
  • A Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License in any content area from North Carolina or its equivalent from another state.
  • An overall average grade point average of at least 3.0 in the most recent academic degree program (based on a 4.0 scale).
  • Copies of unofficial transcripts from all academic coursework beyond high school.
  • Official agency reports of satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test score (30th percentile or above).
  • Three recommendations from professional educators familiar with the applicant’s personal and professional qualifications. Applicants will provide reference contact names and email addresses through the application portal.
  • An statement of purpose of no more than one page describing the applicant’s experience and objective in undertaking graduate study in AIG.

Test Score Requirement Waiver

Applicants who previously have received a grade of A in three (if the fourth course is in progress at the time of application) or all four of the four Graduate Certificate courses in Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) at UNC Charlotte may waive the GRE/MAT score requirement. Note: Waiver requests should be sent to the AIG Graduate Program Director. Students who have received one or more course grades below A in UNC Charlotte graduate certificate courses in AIG, or who are applying directly to the M.Ed., are not eligible for this waiver and must provide GRE or MAT scores with their application.
 

Application

Application Deadlines: 

  • August 1 (fall)
  • December 1 (spring)
  • May 1 (summer first half term)
  • June 15 (summer second half term)

Applicants can apply via the Graduate Admissions web portal.

Apply Now
Outlook

What Can You Do With the Special Education and Child Development: Academically or Intellectually Gifted, M.Ed.?

UNC Charlotte alumni who work in AIG-related areas serve in diverse occupations such as:

  • AIG Teachers
  • Curriculum Developers
  • STEM Coordinators
  • Principals

UNC Charlotte alumni who completed degrees in AIG-related areas work in school districts and organizations such as:

  • Wake County Public Schools
  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
  • Union County Public Schools
  • Atrium Health
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Why UNC Charlotte?

Program Highlights:

• Flexible Online Format: Complete your coursework entirely online and on your schedule.

• Part-Time Study: Manage your studies alongside your professional commitments.

• Comprehensive Curriculum: Learn best practices in AIG teaching, learning, and program development.

Tuition

*Rates are subject to change* 

Resident:

  • $288.82 per credit hour

Outside of NC Non-Resident:

  • $536.98 per credit hour

Non Resident:

  • $1,098.21 per credit hour

Find more information regarding tuition and fees here ».

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