This Subsequent Endorsement is for educators with a current Professional Educator License (PEL) in Illinois as well as at least one teaching endorsement.
Concordia University Chicago’s Gifted Teacher Endorsement Program is designed for licensed educators with two or more years of teaching experience interested in developing an understanding of and developing programs for High Achieving, Gifted and Talented students. This program develops and refines teachers’ competencies in research-proven theory and instructional practice to meet the diverse, specialized needs of all learners in a variety of school settings. This course of study builds and strengthens a theoretical understanding of the foundations of Gifted Education while expanding the practical skills necessary to be successful as a teacher, and prepares educators to serve as teacher leaders in planning and implementing programs that address the specific needs of gifted and talented students.
This program provides a Gifted Teacher subsequent endorsement that matches the grade level on the student’s existing Professional Educator’s License (PEL). This program prepares candidates to take the stated Gifted Teacher examination, Gifted Education 312.
As part of the course of study, candidates will be required to complete a practicum. The practicum consists of an approved eight-week field experience in a PK-12 setting that offers programs for gifted students. The field experience allows candidates opportunities to provide professional development, leadership, and to practice using instructional strategies and assessment materials as well as model an appropriate mindset for meeting the needs of students who are gifted or talented.
The subsequent endorsement program will enable candidates to:
- Think critically and analytically about gifted education and the role gifted programs play in the development of students identified as gifted and talented.
- Develop curriculum and utilize instructional strategies that are differentiated and meet the learning needs of all students.
- Provide leadership in schools with gifted programs through program development and coaching.
- Promote an understanding of gifted learners and gifted education that leads to effective programming that includes: identification, assessment, technology, social and emotional learning, differentiated instructional practices, and productive learning environments.
General Graduate Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Concordia University Chicago graduate programs as published in the Concordia University Chicago academic catalog.
New students are accepted into graduate degree-seeking, approval, certificate, endorsement and/or post-graduate programs for online and on-campus study in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Previously admitted students seeking to change programs may do so at the beginning of a semester (only) by submitting a Change-of-Program quick app. Applicants must be in good academic standing according to Concordia University Chicago’s satisfactory academic progress standards at the time of requesting a program change.
Endorsement Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU-6710 | Giftedness, Research & Policy 1 | 3 |
| EDU-6715 | Curriculum Development for Gifted and Talented Learners 1 | 3 |
| EDU-6720 | Identification, Assessment and Evaluation of Instructional Models for Gifted Learners 1 | 3 |
| EDU-6725 | Differentiated Instruction for Gifted and Talented Learners 1 | 3 |
| EDU-6730 | Learning Environments for Gifted Education | 3 |
| EDU-6735 | Assessing Gifted and Talented Students 1 | 3 |
| EDU-6760 | Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted Learner | 3 |
| EDU-6745 | Gifted and Talented Practicum (P-12) 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
- 1
Required for the Illinois Gifted Endorsement.
Please note: Under Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) guidelines, if you have an Illinois license, you need to take 18 semester credit hours of specific coursework to be eligible for the Gifted Endorsement. At CUC, our state-approved endorsement program is 24 credit hours in length. Note: a student may seek, on their own, the ISBE endorsement after completing the required 18 hours; or they complete the 24 hours to then have the official ‘Completed State-Approved Program’ (Gifted Endorsement) noted on CUC official transcripts.
In addition to completing the required coursework, students must also pass the required IL Gifted Education (#312) exam for the endorsement.
Non-degree Completion Requirements
- Have on file an application as a non-degree-seeking graduate student.
- Complete, for the program being sought:
-
- the credit hours and levels as designated,
- within the specified time limit,
- with course grades of C- or higher,
- with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Students completing multiple advanced programs or degrees at CUC must have a 3.0 GPA in each academic program in addition to a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- If transfer credit is approved to be applied: have on file an approved “Graduate Transfer Credit Approval” form(s) or evaluation(s).
- Have on file the Intent to Graduate/Complete form with the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.
- Take and pass the final examination or terminal requirements in the program during or after the final course.
- Approval of the faculty.
- All administrative obligations to CUC must be cleared in order to prompt the release of CUC transcripts.
Every attempt has been made to include information to aid the student with information about his/her program requirements. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to complete all steps and meet all deadlines relevant to completion requirements.
This program does not lead to initial Illinois licensure (PEL) but will, through direct university entitlement, lead to an additional credential on your existing PEL. The awarding of this credential will require the completion of this academic program and an existing and active PEL, and may require a passing score on the corresponding Illinois State Licensure Test(s), associated work experience, a previous master's degree, and completion of a state training academy. For specific requirements regarding this credential please refer to ISBE’s webpage or contact the Licensure Officer at licensure@cuchicago.edu.