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.

When are portfolios reviewed?

The Office of Academic Programs sets a date each term where all portfolios have to be submitted and so the GCE faculty reviews portfolios about a week ahead of that due date. If you have all of your key assessments, rubrics/evaluation information and grade forms in the Xitracs Gifted In-Field Endorsement site by Reading Day, your portfolio will be reviewed in the 2-3 weeks following the term. If you have not submitted your portfolio by the end of the term, it will be reviewed during the next cycle (at the end of the next term).

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

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: April 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.