Gifted In-Field Endorsement and Certificate

As an endorsement, this program is recognized by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). As of Fall 2024, it is also a UGA certificate program. Therefore, completion of the program will be noted on the GaPSC certificate and on the UGA transcript.

The Gifted In-Field Endorsement is an add on credential that allows certified teachers in Georgia the ability to provide direct instruction to students in their areas of initial certification. Teachers with gifted endorsement can also serve as a resource teacher for indirect services for gifted education in any content area or grade level P-12.

The Gifted In-Field Endorsement program is open to UGA graduate students in the College of Education. If students are enrolled in a masters, specialist or doctoral program in gifted and creative education, these courses are embedded within the M.Ed. and Ed.S. programs. Non-degree seeking students may complete the program by applying to UGA’s Graduate School as a non-degree seeking student.

The courses in the gifted endorsement series emphasize scholarly work and best practices for understanding giftedness, conducting assessment of students, creating methods and materials, as well as, designing programs and services for high ability students. Our courses are aligned with the National Association for Gifted Children’s (NAGC) Teacher Preparation Standards. This program is also accredited through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Learn more about our online program

Highlights

1. Approved by the state Board of Education
2. Can be completed on campus or online
3. Requires 12 credit hours (four courses)

Curriculum

Gifted In-Field Endorsement courses are offered throughout the academic year, typically in an online format. Courses require permission of the department (POD) for registration when offered as a single section during the semester. Upon approval into the program, students will receive a POD form to complete. The program recommends that students complete the following courses simultaneously and in the specified order:

1. Sequence Pairing 1: EPSY 7110E and EPSY 7060E (First Semester)
2. Sequence Pairing 2: EPSY 7230E and EPSY 7250E (Second Semester)

Adding Gifted In-Field Endorsement to Your Georgia Teaching Certificate

In order to add Gifted In-Field Endorsement to your teaching certificate, you must be recommended as a program completer of GCE’s endorsement program. This includes action items outside of coursework that you will need to complete.

All information about the process of Gifted Endorsement is highlighted in the video above, but key points of information include the following:

• During the first course in the endorsement series, students will be contacted by Shayla Lee in the Office of Academic Programs to indicate their intent to seek gifted endorsement. By indicating intent, students will be set up with access to the Xitracs Gifted In-Field Endorsement non-Athena eLC course. This is the place where students will archive all materials for their Gifted Endorsement review.
• By indicating intent, you are not “admitted” to a program, but rather are indicating to seek gifted endorsement.
• During each of the four courses, students will need to submit the required key assessments into their Xitracs Gifted In-Field Endorsement folder. The rubric for evaluation AND the key assessment will need to be submitted.
• Please keep each of your key assessments and evaluation information from your course instructor to submit in the Xitracs Gifted In-Field Endorsement eLC site. Once your course ends, you will not have access to that information when the course closes. It is suggested that you submit those as you complete them within each course.
• In addition to the key assessments and rubrics, students will complete a grade form that asks them to submit the numerical grade for the key assessments, as well as the final grade for the course. These are also pieces of information that need to be saved or entered while you have access to your eLC courses.

eLC Portfolio Information

Because the Gifted Endorsement is now an official UGA Graduate certificate, we are no longer using the eLC portfolio course.

• For the assessments that are connected with your certification, we will collect your scores and assignment artifacts from your program faculty.
• Every semester, we connect with your instructors to collect the information from your course outcomes that are needed for recommendation to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) for your certification.

If you have any questions regarding Gifted In-Field Endorsement, please contact the Gifted Endorsement Program Coordinator, Sakhavat Mammadov .

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I finish the endorsement certificate in two semesters?

Due to the limited number of seats we have for each of the required courses, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to finish the certificate program in two semesters. We will, however, do our best to accommodate as many students as possible.

• Because the endorsement graduate certificate program is separate from any degree programs that you may be pursuing at the University, you will still have the opportunity to complete your endorsement graduate certificate program – the certificate allows you the flexibility to complete either before or after you finish your degree program.

  • If completing after graduation, you can continue to register as a non-degree student for any remaining courses as they become available. You must register for any remaining course(s) within three (3) semesters after your graduation semester in order to maintain active registration status at the University. If for some reason you’re unable to register within the three-semester window, you may still be eligible for readmission through the Graduate School.
  • Plus, the University may offer special rates for online certificates, and some local units of administration (LUAs), school districts and employers may be willing to cover the costs for remaining courses or know of other special funding or grant opportunities. Please inquire with your LUA, school district or employer.

• Here are some resources to help you plan, negotiate and cover costs:

  • Tuition & Fees by Semester (eRate available for some online programs)
  • Full-time School Employees Tuition Waiver Form (also includes military and other tuition waiver forms)
  • COE Financial Assistance
  • UGA Financial Assistance
  • GaDOE Financial Incentives (including tax credits and grants)

How likely is it that I will be accepted into the program?

We have a limited number of seats in our endorsement courses each semester. Coupling our full degree programs with the endorsement certificate, admission into the program will follow the priority scale below:

• 1st priority: current MED/EDS students pursuing degrees in Educational Psychology with an area of emphasis in Gifted and Creative Education.
• 2nd priority: students only seeking the endorsement certificate in Gifted and Creative Education
• 3rd priority: current UGA students pursuing graduate degrees in other departments

I’ve been accepted. How do I get my courses?

Upon admission, students will be sent a survey link to fill out with their course plan. Students who do not fill out this survey by the stated deadline will likely lose priority preferences for slots during that specific term for the endorsement courses.

Access to courses will be granted based on the following priority scale:

• 1st priority: current MED/EDS students pursuing degrees in Educational Psychology with an area of emphasis in Gifted and Creative Education
• 2nd priority: students only seeking the endorsement certificate in Gifted and Creative Education
• 3rd priority: current UGA students pursuing graduate degrees in other departments

I filled out the survey. Now what?

Before the beginning of the semester, you will receive an email letting you know for which course(s) you are able to register. You will also be given a timeframe in which to register. If you do not register for the course(s) within that timeframe, you will lose your priority registration and will not be guaranteed a spot in the course(s) as that slot will be forward to the next student seeking course admission.

How to Apply

1. All applicants must complete a UGA Graduate School application .
2. Current UGA Graduate Students will be charged a $25 application fee.
   Make sure to answer “Yes” to the question “Are you a current student?”.
3. Non-UGA students will be charged a $75 application fee.
4. Select your campus from the drop-down menu.
5. Select “Endorsement/Certificate” from the Degree Level drop-down menu.
6. Then select the endorsement/certificate program from the Intended Program drop-down menu.
   Gifted Endorsement/Certificate Program Code: CERT_2GIF

Graduates Apply Now

Required Documents for Application

Non-Degree Seeking Applicants, please include the following documents with your application:

• Current resume/CV
• Statement of purpose
• Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended

Deadline to Apply

Domestic Applicants

• Fall Semester: July 1
• Summer Semester: March 1
• Spring Semester: November 15

International Applicants

• Fall Semester: April 15
• Spring Semester: October 15
• Summer Semester: February 15

Applying for Graduation

All candidates for graduation must apply to graduate using the graduation application available in Athena by a given deadline for the semester in which they intend to graduate.

Deadline to Apply to Graduate

• If you are graduating in Fall semester, apply to graduate by October 15.
• If you are graduating in Spring semester, apply to graduate by March 15.
• If you are graduating in Summer semester, apply to graduate by June 15.