Academically Gifted Teaching Certificate | College of Education

Undergraduate

For application deadlines and to apply, Undergraduate Application Information!

Graduate

For application deadlines and to apply, Graduate Application Information!

Additional Certificate Details
Interested in Applying?
AIG Resources

CONTACT US

Academically and Intellectually Gifted Faculty
Dr. Angela Novak
Associate Professor
LSSE
novaka17@ecu.edu
252-328-6649

In line with policy in the state of North Carolina, the program entails completing four courses. We welcome school support staff, families, counselors, librarians, assistants, administration, and all other interested potential undergraduate and graduate students to learn more about gifted education!

All of the courses required by the AIG Teaching Certificate at ECU are taught online.

Certificate Options

In response to education professionals, community members, and families wanting to learn more about gifted and talented education, we are pleased to offer two certificate options, one at each level (undergraduate and graduate)! We welcome educators, parents, administrators, counselors, librarians, community members, psychologists, and more to enroll in the certificate option that meets your needs:

Undergrad: Equity and Advocacy in Gifted and Talented Education Certificate

Graduate: Equity, Advocacy, and Leadership in Gifted and Talented Education Certificate

Learn more about the certificate

Course Work

Please note that we now have courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. Even if you already hold a BA/BS degree, you can take courses at the undergraduate level! There are a few reasons you may want to do so. First, the courses are at the undergraduate level, with differentiated coursework such as readings and assignments; if you haven’t taken a college course in a few years, this may be of interest! The tuition is different for undergraduate courses, as well. There are some important considerations, however, which may make the graduate level more appealing. Graduate courses may transfer into a graduate degree down the road. Additionally, please note that the add-on can be added to an M-level license at the graduate level, whereas the add-on from undergraduate courses can only be added to an A-level license. Before embarking on this AIG adventure with ECU, carefully consider what may be the best route for you using the chart below, and contact the AIG Coordinator with any questions.

Program	Undergraduate Certificate	Graduate Certificate
The Courses	Undergraduate Certificate application via undergraduate admissions Four 4000 level courses (12 s.h.) GIFT 4400 may be substituted for a required AIG add-on course based on the topic offered and the substitution requested. As minimum standards and content must be met for NC DPI, this requires advance approval by Dr. Novak.	Graduate Certificate application via graduate school admissions Four 6000 level courses (12 s.h.) GIFT 6400 or EDUC 6400 may be substituted for a required AIG add-on course based on the topic offered and the substitution requested. As minimum standards and content must be met for NC DPI, this requires advance approval by Dr. Novak.
Financial Considerations	May be eligible for district reimbursement or support (not through ECU) Estimated in-state cost: $2500 (per s.h.: $205; per course: $615)* For current costs, see the tuition page.	Pending DoE approval of certificate, eligible for financial aid with full-time enrollment (FAFSA required) Estimated in-state cost: $3500 (per s.h.: $290; per course: $870)* *For current costs, see the tuition page.
Charting Your Course: Planning for the Future	Applying for the certificate automatically includes the add-on course sequence Must have a Professional Educator's License (after Beginning Teacher 3-year period) When taking the undergraduate certificate courses, the add-on is applied to the A-level license, even with a M-level license	Courses could potentially roll into graduate degree/transfer credit (university dependent) AIG add-on is part of the certificate series; if you have, or will have, an M-level* license, you can apply for the AIG add-on to M license through NC DPI

*Each program has a separate application and fee; you must decide on a route prior to applying. Applications and fees cannot be transferred.
**Why does M Level Matter? While we don’t currently have legislation for Master’s pay in NC, it may come back; licensing (not just degree earned) may be a determining factor for the qualification, depending on how the legislation is written. Individual districts within NC have reinstated Master’s pay. Please communicate with your district HR representative to determine what is required, as this is a district decision not state legislation.

Timing:

All courses are 3 credit hours. Courses are offered once a year (see reverse for descriptions and schedule.) Both undergraduate and graduate certificates have a one-year option of taking two courses per semester and finishing in one academic year, or the two-year plan, taking one course per semester and finishing in two academic years. Select courses may be offered every other summer to align with the MAEd in Elementary Education AIG Concentration Cohort.

The Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) certificate requires four courses. All courses are offered online (DE/distance education). The schedule below is typical/planned; course offerings are pending budget and enrollment.

GIFT 4000/6000: Diverse Gifted and Talented Children Introduction to the nature & needs of diverse gifted & talented children for (teacher leaders // educators & leaders). Emphasizes cognitive, ethnic, cultural, economic, place, home/family, & affective characteristics of giftedness & talent. (F, SM+, R)
GIFT 4100/6100: Foundations of Gifted and Talented Education (Recommended pre-requisite: GIFT 4/6000.) Foundational, conceptual, & programmatic models of gifted & talented education, including an equity-focused historical view of the field. Assessment & identification in gifted & talented education for (teacher leaders // educators & leaders). (S, SM+, R)
GIFT 4200/6200: Instructional Practices in Gifted and Talented Education (Recommended pre-requisite: GIFT 4/6000.) Curriculum & instruction in gifted & talented education for (teacher leaders // educators & leaders), includes curriculum models, culturally responsive teaching, & equitable differentiation practices. (F, R)
GIFT 4300/6300: Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Problem Solving in Gifted and Talented Education (Recommended pre-requisites: GIFT 4/6000, GIFT 4/6100, GIFT 4/6200.) Creativity, critical thinking, & problem solving through two lenses: strategies for teaching diverse gifted & talented learners; & communication, collaboration, & advocacy tools for the (teacher leader // educator & leader). (S, R)
GIFT 4400/6400: Special Topics in Gifted and Talented Education: Trends in Equity and Advocacy (Recommended pre-requisites: GIFT 4/6000, GIFT 4/6100, GIFT 4/6200, GIFT 4/6300. May be repeated up to six s.h. with change of topic.) In-depth exploration issues & trends in diversity & equity in gifted & talented education. Topics may include international topics in gifted & talented education; critical race theory in the context of gifted & talented education; economic inequities; student & teacher identity; & twice- or thrice-exceptionality. (V, C, SA)
EDUC 6400: Critical Race Studies in Education Exploration of the key tenets of critical race theory (CRT) as an analytical framework to study racial inequities in education & other organizational & community contexts. Focuses on the systemic forms of racism & the relationship between individual actions & institutional policies & practices. Includes an examination of the complex intersections among race, class, gender, sexual orientation, & ability. (V, C)

Timing: F= Fall, S= Spring, SM= Summer, V= Variable, SA= may be offered as a Study Away or Study abroad experience; Course offerings may vary pending budget and enrollment.

+GIFT 4000/6000 and 4100/6100 are offered every other summer to align with the MAEd in Elementary Education AIG Concentration Cohort.

Catalog Requirements: R= Required for certificate, C= Optional choices for the certificate to swap with one of the required courses — one option at the undergraduate level (GIFT 4400) and two choices at the graduate level (GIFT 6400, EDUC 6400); Because minimum standards/content must be met for AIG add-on through NC DPI, this requires advance approval by Dr. Novak.

If you have any questions please contact:

Angela Novak
NovakA17@ecu.edu

Have questions? Interested in applying? Please fill out the Interest Form below!

Ready to Apply? Apply Now using the form below!

AFTER you have been admitted as a non-degree student, please email Dr. Angela Novak at novaka17@ecu.edu with your Banner ID number (a number that begins B00XXXXXX) and your ECU email address for course registration purposes. This information can be found in your self-service center or in your automated newly admitted student email you receive.

AIG Interest Form

Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students

ECU degree programs satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams. However, requirements in other states may be different.

If you are considering a degree program that may, would, could or potentially lead to a professional license and/or certification, please note that at this time ECU may or may not be able to advise whether a program meets requirements outside of North Carolina. Prior to enrolling in a degree program, please discuss this important topic with your program of interest.