Certificate of Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE

Get the Skills You Need Now

Amplify your effectiveness in working with children and young adults with the online Graduate Certificate in Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies program from Purdue University. It’s a fast-paced way for you to broaden your professional skillset, giving you confidence to meet their academic, social, and emotional needs.

The Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies Certificate Program (GCT) provides professional preparation to identify the learning strengths and interests of all youth to maximize the development of high-quality, differentiated curriculum and instruction. The certificate does not constitute a teaching license but is posted to your transcript as a program of study. Certified Indiana educators who wish to earn the GCT Certificate are eligible for High Ability Licensure upon completion of the program.

For more information, view the
Admissions Application Checklist

Purdue quality. Flexible schedule.

Online students enjoy the same rigorous academic programs as on-campus students, but with a much more flexible class schedule. Assignments, discussions, and other coursework are posted each week in the virtual classroom.

The Graduate Certificate in Gifted, Creative, and Talented consists of four 3-credit-hour courses that can be completed in just two semesters. Courses are eight weeks long and 100% online.

Purdue University promotes stackable credentials. The GCT Certificate provides a pathway to the online MS in Curriculum and Instruction with a Concentration in Gifted Education. Once you complete the graduate certificate, only 18 credit hours are needed to complete your next degree.

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This program does not lead to licensure in the state of Indiana or elsewhere. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Licensure (OTEL) at licensure@purdue.edu before continuing with program application if you have questions regarding licensure or contact your state Department of Education about how this program may translate to licensure in your state of residence. For those interested in licensure, please refer to the High Ability Licensure website.

Career Outlook

This program prepares you to work with educators, administrators, parents, and advocates in identifying and developing the strengths of all children and youth; to ensure their learning environments are academically challenging while balancing their healthy social, emotional, and behavioral development; and to continually monitor their progress and achievement as part of their personalized education plans. This certificate is appropriate for anyone interested in developing the academic talents and interests of children and youth to maximize their potential, including

Job Titles

Parents
Administrators
K-12 Teachers, including ELL and Special Education Teachers
Advocates
Early Childhood Educators
Child Care Service Personnel
Autism Center Personnel
ABA Center Personnel

Cost

The Gifted, Creative, and Talented Graduate Certificate Program is affordable and competitive in cost.

	In-State	Out-of-State
Total Cost Per Credit	$561	$563
Credit Hours	12	12
Total Costs	$6,732	$6,756

_{*Tuition and fees are charges on a per credit hour basis and are subject to annual increase. Annual increases may change the total program costs.
*Note: Purdue faculty and staff fee remissions may not be applied to this program.
*International fee may be applicable
*Textbooks and course materials are not included}

Courses

Students spend an average of 15 hours a week on homework. All courses are 100% online and 8 weeks long.

12 Credit Hours of Coursework

EDPS 54000: Gifted, Creative, and Talented Children
This course is an introduction to intellectual, social, and emotional characteristics of gifted youth and philosophies of gifted education. Multi-talent conceptions of giftedness, including intellectual, academic, creative, artistic, and leadership are addressed. Criteria for selecting instructional materials and methods are discussed, including the design of learning experiences for gifted, creative, and talented youth.

EDPS 54200: Curriculum and Program Development in Gifted Education
This course introduces curriculum development and program design for meeting the needs of gifted, creative, and talented students. Students will be exposed to established program and curriculum models, as well as the nuts and bolts of developing curricular plans, materials, and specialized programs that support the advanced learning needs of gifted students.
Prerequisite: EDPS 54000 and EDPS 54500

EDPS 54500: Social and Affective Development of Gifted Children
This course focuses on the social and emotional development of gifted, creative and talented students. An overview of the characteristics and needs of gifted subpopulations, diversity issues, and family/parenting concerns is provided, along with an introduction to current educational approaches and counseling interventions.
Prerequisite: EDPS 54000

EDPS 69500: Practicum in Gifted Education
The practicum in gifted education is offered through an asynchronous distance learning independent study format in order to facilitate individualization of assignments and relevance to students’ instructional settings. Students complete a variety of structured, self-directed activities that require students to develop more advanced skills and knowledge for supporting gifted, creative, and talented students. The practicum experience develops reflective practitioners who set goals for professional growth, evaluate their progress toward those goals, and continuously improve their ability to provide talent development opportunities to their students. This course requires students to work with high-ability children in an educational setting.
Pre-requisites: EDPS 54000, EDPS 54500, and EDPS 54200

Testimonials

Purdue’s Gifted Education Certificate program has provided a rich academic experience for me as professional in secondary education. I found the sequence of courses particularly helpful, beginning with theory and culminating with practical considerations for programming. I have appreciated the excellent feedback and opportunities for practical application in my own classroom, and I know my students have benefitted from my deeper understanding of their diverse needs and how to implement best practices on their behalf.
ELLEN GOOD
Randolph Central School

The GCT program through Purdue is something I have used in my daily life to become a better educator. I would highly recommend this program to anyone becoming a Gifted Education Educator as it will help become the best version of your professional knowledge in order to help your gifted students grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
HANNAH MCELROY
3rd Grade High Ability Teacher
Burnett Creek Elementary School

The GCT program allowed me to learn about a group of students that normally is not focused on in general education programs. I took the first course because I was curious and finished out my certificate because I became passionate about teaching gifted students. The courses and the instructors prepare you well for your licensure as well as your own classroom. I have used many techniques in my current teaching that I learned through the program. Because of this program, I was able to change positions and get a high ability job at my corporation.
LINDSAY TYLENDA
Kindergarten High Ability Teacher
Edgelea Elementary

The GCT program from Purdue gave me the understanding to develop a way to reach students with high ability in more than the standard differentiation that happens in the classroom. I now know, with greater emphasis, the need to build relationships with these students and their families and to provide students with a safe community in which to thrive. Even as an online course, I was able to connect with my professors and peers daily, receive feedback in a timely manner, and have my questions answered quickly. Thank you for the experience!
MELVA A TRIPLET
Teacher
Pleasant Hill Elementary School

Questions?

Admissions:
edgrad@purdue.edu
Course Content Information:
gifteded@purdue.edu or by phone at 765-494-7241.
Course Registration, payment, drops/withdraws, and removing holds:
Purdue Online purdueonline@purdue.edu
Career accounts:
ITaP (765) 494-4000

Certificate of Gifted, Creative, and Talented Studies

Get the Skills You Need Now

Purdue quality. Flexible schedule.

Request Information - GCT Certificate

Career Outlook

Job Titles

Cost

Admissions

Deadlines for completed application:

Admission Requirements:

Courses

12 Credit Hours of Coursework

Program Faculty

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions?