Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG), Graduate Certificate

Program Overview

Optimize your teaching career by enhancing your credentials with the Graduate Certificate in Academically or Intellectually Gifted, tailored for licensed Kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers in North Carolina. This online program offers a direct pathway to obtaining the North Carolina Standard Professional 1 (SP1) AIG Professional Educator’s License, opening doors to specialized teaching positions and leadership roles within the field of gifted education.

Key Learning Outcomes

Our program is structured to provide educators with a deep understanding of the unique academic, social, and emotional needs of gifted students. Participants will gain hands-on experience in:

  • Developing and implementing challenging curricula tailored to gifted learners.
  • Applying the latest educational standards for gifted education, including the CAEP Standards for Advanced Programs (2016), the NAGC-CEC Teacher Preparation Standards in Gifted Education (2013), and the North Carolina Academically or Intellectually Gifted Program Standards (2020).

Program Contact

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

Who Should Enroll in UNC Charlotte’s Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Graduate Certificate Program?

The Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Graduate Certificate is ideal for:

  • Licensed K-12 teachers in North Carolina aiming to acquire the SP1 AIG Professional Educator’s License.
  • Educators who have previously completed the Praxis exam or North Carolina’s Department of Public Instruction AIG Add-On Licensure and are looking to enhance their practical skills and knowledge for teaching gifted students.

Flexible Online Learning

Designed with the working professional in mind, our 100% online program offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing educators to advance their qualifications without interrupting their current teaching responsibilities.

Courses

The Graduate Certificate Program in Academically or Intellectually Gifted consists of a 12 credit hour sequence. Each course is worth 3 credits. Candidates typically enroll in 1-2 courses per semester. The four required courses are listed below in sequential order. We recommend that candidates take the courses in order as they are designed to build off one another.

Course listing:

  • SPED 5211: Nature and Needs of Gifted Students (3)
  • SPED 6124: Methods of Instructing Gifted Students (3)
  • SPED 6161: Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Students (3)
  • SPED 6224: Adapting Curriculum Materials and Classroom Differentiation (3)
Admissions

Admissions & Requirements

  • Complete the Graduate School Admission Application.
  • Statement of purpose.
  • A bachelor’s degree from a university accredited by a US Department of Education-recognized institutional accreditor.
  • Copies of unofficial transcripts from all academic coursework beyond high school.
  • A teaching license from North Carolina or its equivalent from another state.

NOTE: Applicants will need to hold a teaching position before enrolling in SPED 6124 and SPED 6224 in order to meet course requirements.

Early Entry

Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree. See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements. Also see the “Degree Requirements and Academic Policies” section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs.

Application

Application Deadlines

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

Career Advancement

Graduates of this program are well-prepared for a variety of roles within the academically or intellectually gifted education sphere, such as:

  • Education Administrators
  • AIG or Gifted Education Teachers and Specialists
  • Instructional and Curriculum Coordinators

Strong salary expectations

Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics research, collects job and salary data from UNC Charlotte graduates. Lightcast surveyed graduates of the UNC Charlotte AIG Graduate Certificate program and found their average annual estimated wage to be $77,100.

Tuition

Please note: 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

More information regarding tuition and fees »