Gifted & Talented Teacher Program

teacher with two kids at the blackboard

The Gifted and Talented course sequence provides a conceptual foundation and practical approaches for teachers of the gifted and talented, both specialists and regular classroom teachers. Today’s diverse classrooms mean that educators must be able to recognize and serve talented and high achieving students in heterogeneous settings as well as in special program settings. The curriculum consists of four three-hour graduate courses—all of which can be applied to the specialization module of SMU’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree (pending acceptance into the M.Ed. program). Successful graduates of the GT program are prepared to take the Gifted and Talented TExES (Texas Examination for Educator Standards); those who pass the exam earn GT certification.

The four GT courses can be completed in four semesters. The sequence begins and ends in the fall; one course is offered in the spring and one in the summer. The capstone course is offered in the fall.

Courses (click to link to descriptions)

*Texas Education Agency (TEA) issues a supplemental educator certificate to teachers who pass the Gifted Education TExES examination.  (http://www.tea.state.tx.us/)