The University of St. Thomas

School of Education

Master of arts in Gifted, Creative and Talented Education Courses

Foundation
Gifted, Creative and Talented Core
Recommended Electives
 

Foundations (9 Credits)

Principles of Educational Research (CIED 500 – 3 Credits)

  • Study methods of descriptive and experimental research.
  • Learn basic statistical theory and application.
  • Receive an orientation to library resources.
  • Understand the development of significant research methodology.

Curriculum Orientations and Models (CIED 651 – 3 Credits)

  • Examine of a variety of approaches to curricular organization and models for curriculum design.
  • Learn the phases of curriculum systems with special emphasis on curricular design.

Theories of Cognition for Instruction (CIED 610 – 3 Credits)

  • Investigate the contributions of psychology to the understanding of learned human behavior, educational methodology and the learning-teaching process.
  • Assess the major theories and models of learning and motivation.

Gifted, Creative and Talented Core (13 Credits)

Introduction to GCT Education (GIFT 721 – 3 Credits)

  • Understand the nature and needs of high-ability learners, talent recognition, assessment, and instructional practices.

GCT Instructional Models: K-12 (GIFT 722 – 3 Credits)

  • Design and develop specialized instruction for high-ability learners.

Psychology and Guidance of GCT (GIFT 725 – 3 Credits)

  • Understand individual differences (e.g., achievement, motivation, culture, economics, and disability) and how to provide for these differences.

GCT Practicum and Seminar (GIFT 729 – 3 Credits)

  • Develop the specific practical skills you need to fulfill your resource teacher duties.
  • Document your skills development under individualized supervision.
  • Develop talent recognition systems (identification), program and curricular evaluation, curriculum implementation, and instructional delivery competence.

GCT Final Creative Project (GIFT 719 – 1 Credit)

  • Conduct original research in the field and report in journal article format.
  • Or, develop, implement, and evaluate a GCT curriculum or program and write a formal evaluation report.

Recommended Electives (9 Credits)

Education of High Ability Students in the Regular Classroom (GIFT 720 – 3 Credits)

  • Learn to manage the diversity of student strengths and talents in the regular classroom setting.
  • Explore learning characteristics and needs, and how to analyze, manage and modify the basic curriculum.
  • Study research and practice on heterogeneous approaches to management, grouping and instruction issues, learning skills, and discipline issues.
  • Understand the principles of curriculum differentiation.

GCT Curriculum Models K-12 (GIFT 723 – 3 Credits)

  • Design and develop specialized curriculum and services for high-ability learners.
  • Understand student-centered learning, self-directed learning, critical and creative thinking skill development, and themes-based inquiry.
  • Create new curricula and services for students in your own educational setting.

Creativity (GIFT 724 – 3 Credits)

  • Explore the discipline of creativity and its relationship to talent development in children and adults.
  • Learn to understand, appreciate and maximize characteristics and behaviors that contribute to creative production.

Critical Issues in Talent Development (GIFT 728 – 3 Credits)

  • Explore the current issues and trends in gifted education.
  • Study appropriate research design to investigate GCT topics.

Refer to our catalog for course descriptions with greater detail.