Graduate Program - Gifted-Talented

Gifted & Talented Education, M.A.

Program Information

The Master of Arts in Gifted Education (MAGE) is a 36-credit hour graduate program designed for candidates (teachers, program coordinators, school counselors, administrators, and parents) who are interested in developing and delivering appropriate educational programs for gifted students.

Coursework includes a solid foundation in the nature of giftedness, identification of the gifted, organizational program planning, gifted curriculum, teaching strategies and program evaluation. Additionally, courses are offered to address the social-emotional needs of gifted, creativity, parenting, advocacy concerns and the needs of diverse and under-served student populations.

Admission Requirements to MAGE Program

‣ Admission to the NEIU Graduate College (forms are available at the Graduate College on the main campus and online, http://www.neiu.edu/~gradcoll)

‣ Bachelor’s degree

‣ Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

‣ Two professional letters of recommendation

General Information about Course Scheduling

Courses are offered during late afternoon and evening hours. All courses are offered at the NEIU main campus and most courses are additionally offered at the Lake County extension site.

Field work (GIFT 459) is offered during summer sessions. Candidates may enroll in field work following completion of GIFT 450, 452, 453, 456, 458 or SPED 500.

Coursework Requirements & Sequence

(36 credit hours)

Fall I

GIFT 450 Psychology of Individuals Who are Gifted and Talented (3)

Spring I

SPED 500 Research I: Critical Writing and Research in Special Education (3)

(Prerequisite: GIFT 450 or Gifted Education Seminar)

Summer I

Appropriate required coursework (below) or electives:

SPED 451 Creativity (3)

GIFT 456 Parenting & Advocacy for Individuals Who are Gifted and Talented (3)

GIFT 462 Identifying and Providing for Under-served Gifted Students (3)

(Prerequisite: GIFT 450 or Gifted Education Seminar)

GIFT 458 Meeting Gifted Students’ Social-Emotional Needs (3)

(Prerequisite: GIFT 450 or Gifted Education Seminar)

Fall II

GIFT 453 Seminar in Curriculum Methods and Materials for the Gifted

(Prerequisite: GIFT 450 or Gifted Education Seminar)

Spring II

GIFT 452 Education of Individuals Who are Gifted and Talented (3)

(Prerequisite: GIFT 453)

Summer II

Appropriate required coursework (below) or electives:

SPED 451 Creativity (3)

GIFT 456 Parenting & Advocacy for Individuals Who are Gifted and Talented (3)

GIFT 462 Identifying and Providing for Under-served Gifted Students (3)

(Prerequisite: GIFT 450 or Gifted Education Seminar)

GIFT 458 Meeting Gifted Students’ Social-Emotional Needs (3)

(Prerequisite: GIFT 450 or Gifted Education Seminar)

Fall III

Appropriate required coursework (below) or electives:

SPED 451 Creativity (3)

GIFT 456 Parenting & Advocacy for Individuals Who are Gifted and Talented (3)

GIFT 462 Identifying and Providing for Under-served Gifted Students (3)

(Prerequisite: GIFT 450 or Gifted Education Seminar)

GIFT 458 Meeting Gifted Students’ Social-Emotional Needs (3)

(Prerequisite: GIFT 450 or Gifted Education Seminar)

Spring III

Appropriate required coursework (below) or electives:

SPED 451 Creativity (3)

GIFT 456 Parenting & Advocacy for Individuals Who are Gifted and Talented (3)

GIFT 462 Identifying and Providing for Under-served Gifted Students (3)

(Prerequisite: GIFT 450 or Gifted Education Seminar)

GIFT 458 Meeting Gifted Students’ Social-Emotional Needs (3)

(Prerequisite: GIFT 450 or Gifted Education Seminar)

Summer III

GIFT 459 Field Demonstration in Gifted Education (3)

Elective courses will be discussed between graduate students and graduate advisor.

Courses may include:

GIFT 454 Gifted Education Seminar: Teaching Gifted Students in the Inclusive Classroom (3)

Program Portfolio

All graduate students must successfully complete a portfolio with artifacts and reflections representing key assessments which are embedded within the MAGE program.