Gifted Education

The Gifted Education Program is designed to enable both preservice students and veteran educators to complete the approved Virginia Add-on K-12 Gifted Education Endorsement which supplements most programs of studies leading to or an existing initial license in education. Students complete four courses and a practicum either via their initial student teaching experience or through a specialized gifted education practicum. Full-time employed educators may alternatively elect to teach for one year in lieu of a gifted education practicum. The course sequence is offered in separate sections both to students in initial licensure programs at the College of Education at James Madison University as well as practicing educators. The graduate level coursework is offered predominantly online.

The purpose of the program of studies in Gifted Education is to prepare educators who skillfully contribute to the common good of society through competence in teaching and educational leadership in gifted education. All children are entitled to educators who are knowledgeable, enlightened, and competent, including our advanced and gifted learners. Only competent and knowledgeable educators can provide the necessary environment for the realization of the unique potentials of pre-K-grade 12 gifted students in all areas of academic, artistic, creative, and intellectual endeavors. Without educational leaders, counselors, teachers, specialists, and all other support personnel gifted learners do not reach their full potentials nor does the greater global society.