By TED Staff
January 2019
Do you feel you may have a gift for the gifted? Is it unlikely that you can physically get to campus? Please consider the list of online masters degrees of education, gifted and talented. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, specialized degrees like this significantly increase salary potential compared with those with merely a bachelor’s degree.
#1 – Fort Hays State University
Hays, Kansas
Online MS in Special Education – Gifted
Accredited by both CAEP and KSDE, the online master of science in special education – gifted at Fort Hays State University does not require an entrance exam. The 36 credit hour program does involve a comprehensive portfolio to be submitted in lieu of a comprehensive exam. $287.75 is the graduate online tuition rate for this degree. This program is for already licensed teachers. Application for Fort Hays State University’s master of science in special education – gifted online requires two outside letters of recommendation and a personal statement that expresses your reasons for entering the program.
#2 – Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Online MSE in Gifted Talented and Creative Education
Based on recommendations from the Council for Exceptional Children and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the online master of science in education in gifted, talented, creative education is designed to be completed in as little as 18 months. Tuition for the program is a very affordable $306.25 per credit unit. Admissions to the program requires a $30 non-refundable fee, an undergraduate GPA of 3.0, and a valid teaching license. This program will require a background check.
#3 – McNeese State University
Lake Charles, Louisiana
MEd in Academically Gifted Education Online
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McNeese State University offers an online master of education in academically gifted education that is open to currently licensed teachers. The 36 hour program gives newcomers 6 calendar years to complete the program. The program does not charge out of state fees to online students, so the tuition rate comes in at $340.90 per unit of instruction. At least 25% of the 36 credits in the online MEd in academically gifted education must be earned at McNeese State University in order to graduate.
#4 – University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Online MA in Special Education (Gifted and Talented Certification)
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The University of Alabama’s online master of arts in special education with gifted and talented certification charges an online graduate tuition rate of $394 per credit hour with no out of state fees for non-residents. The 30 unit program entails coursework in the assessment of the gifted and creative problem-solving Admission to the MA in special education (gifted and talented certification) online requires an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0, a GRE or MAT score, and three letters of recommendation.
#5 – University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
MEd in Special Education Online
With the bargain tuition rate of $418 per credit hour, the University of North Dakota’s online master of education in special education offers a gifted/talented specialization. This 32+ credit program can be completed in less than two years. Those that are out of state in the online master of education in special education at the University of North Dakota pay the same tuition rate as those in-state. The program has year-round admission students and does not utilize the cohort model.
#6 – University of Nebraska Kearney
Kearney, Nebraska
MAE in Special Education, High Ability Education Online
Open to those with a bachelor’s degree and an active teaching certificate, the online master of arts in education in special education, high ability education at the University of Nebraska Kearney is a 36 hour program that offers a choice between a thesis and non-thesis options. The College of Education charges an online graduate tuition rate of $425 per credit for the online MAE in special education, high ability education. The University of Nebraska Kearney was #28 on the 2018 US News and World Report listing of top online education programs.
#7 – University of Missouri
Columbia, Missouri
MEd in Gifted Education Online
#36 on the 2018 US News and World Report ranking of the best online education programs, the University of Missouri features an online master of education in gifted education that requires no campus visits. $433.37 is the hourly tuition rate for this program. Coursework in the program covers curriculum methods and learning theory for this population. Admission requirements for the MEd in gifted education at the University of Missouri include a 3.0 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework and an earned regionally accredited bachelor’s degree.
#8 – Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Natchitoches, Louisiana
MEd with a Concentration in Gifted Education Online
Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s online master of education with a concentration in gifted education is a 36 unit degree that is open to currently certified teachers. Admissions to the program require all previous transcripts and a GRE score. The school charges an online tuition rate of $475 for each of the first nine credit hours and $100 an hour after that. The online master of education with a concentration in gifted education at Northwestern State University of Louisiana involves coursework in the psychology of the gifted and teaching creative thinking.
#9 – University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Online MEd in Special Education
The University of Southern Mississippi’s online master of education in special education, gifted education has an on-campus component, but is largely online. This 39 credit program charges an online tuition rate of $479.12 per credit, with no out of state fees. The program is looking for applicants who can supply a GPA of 2.75 or better over the last 60 hours of coursework and three letters of recommendation as part of their applications packet. The program is designed to flow into licensure by the Mississippi Department of Education.
#10 – Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, Kentucky
MAE in Gifted Education Online
Eastern Kentucky University’s online master of arts in education in gifted education emphasizes best practices in this important field. Tuition for the 30 hour program is $510 per hour for civilians and $325 per hour for active duty military. Up to nine credits may be transferred into the program from another institution of higher learning. Applicants to the master of arts in education in gifted education at Eastern Kentucky University without prior graduate coursework or with an undergraduate GPA sub-3.0 must submit GRE or MAT scores with their application.
#11 – University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, Colorado
Online MA in Special Education – Gifted and Talented
The online master of arts in special education – gifted and talented at the University of Northern Colorado does not require GRE scores to be submitted with an application. 36 hours in length, tuition for the program is $575 per unit of credit. The University of Northern Colorado’s MA in special education – gifted and talented offers the option for brief on campus experiences through the Summer Enrichment Program. Admission to the program asks for a statement of philosophy and goals, a current resume and a copy of your teacher’s license.
#12 – West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
MA in Special Education Online
The online master of arts in special education at West Virginia University offers a choice between a master’s degree in special education with certification in gifted education or a master’s degree with an area of concentration in gifted education. The program has an online graduate tuition rate of $594 per credit. Admissions for the online master of arts in special education at West Virginia University require a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree with an overall GPA of 3.0.
#13 – Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
Online MA in Special Education – Director of Exceptional Needs License
#36 on the 2018 US News and World Report ranking of top online graduate education programs, Ball State University has an online master of arts in special education – director of exceptional needs license program that can be completed in 36 semester hours. A GRE score is not required for admission to this program. Out of state online tuition for this program is $616 per unit of credit. The online MA in special education at Ball State University is accredited by the Council for Exceptional Children.
#14 – University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Online EdS in Educational Psychology, Gifted and Creative Education
Focused on research, instruction and service, and coming at #8 on the 2018 US News and World Report ranking of top online education programs, the online specialist in education in educational psychology, gifted and creative education at the University of Georgia is a 31 credit program that can be completed in six semesters. Tuition for the program is $629 per unit of instruction. The University of Georgia is looking for applicants with a cumulative GPA of 2.6 on a 4 point scale on undergraduate coursework and a recent GRE or MAT score.
#15 – University of North Texas
Denton, Texas
Online MS in Educational Psychology – Concentration in Gifted and Talented
A strong #4 on the 2018 US News and World Report ranking of best online education programs, the University of North Texas offers an online master of science in educational psychology – concentration in gifted and talented. The 33 hour program consists of 11 courses, including educational statistics and human development across the lifespan. Tuition for the program is $642.50 hourly. The degree can be completed in as little as 15 months and admission to the program requires GRE scores and a $75 application fee.
#16 – Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona
MEd in Curriculum and Instruction, Teaching and Learning, Gifted Elementary Online
Coming in at #36 on the 2018 US News and World Report compilation of the top online graduate education programs, Arizona State University has a reputation for innovation. The online master of education in curriculum and instruction, teaching and learning, gifted elementary that they offer is a 30 credit degree. This program charges an out of state online graduate tuition rate of $670 per unit of instruction. Applicants to the online MEd in curriculum and instruction, teaching and learning, gifted elementary should have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 over the last 60 hours of coursework.
#17 – Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Online MAE in Gifted Education and Talent Development
Ranked at #31 on the 2018 US News and World Report list of best online graduate education programs, Western Kentucky University is looking for certified teachers to apply to the online master of arts in education in gifted education and talent development. The 30-37 credit hour program varies in completion time, depending on which of the four specializations you choose. This program is eligible for the Kentucky educator’s discounted rate of $415 per credit. Those who do not qualify for the discount pay $707 per credit.
#18 – University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
MA in Exceptional Student Education Online
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The University of South Florida’s online graduate education programs came in at #46 in the 2018 US News and World Report college rankings. The master of arts in exceptional student education that they offer is a 36 unit degree that must be completed within seven years of admission. The program requires a GRE score or an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on all upper level coursework or an existing master’s degree to show that one can perform at the graduate level. Out of state tuition for this program is $772.43 per unit of instruction.
#19 – Nova Southeastern University
Davie, Florida
MS in Exceptional Student Education Online
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36 hours in length, the online master of science in exceptional student education does not lead to certification. Coursework in the program includes educational research for practitioners and special education law. Those deciding entrance to the program expect students to have existing teacher certification and a minimum of 2.5 GPA on undergraduate work. $995 per credit is the online graduate tuition rate for Nova Southeastern University’s online MS in exceptional student education. This program does not bestow certification on graduates.
#20 – University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Online MEd in Special Education, Gifted Education Certification
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The fully online master of education in special education at the University of Cincinnati offers an additional 15 credit hour gifted education certification. This certificate is recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children and is in line with CAEP standards. The school offers this program at a reduced tuition rate for K-12 educators. This degree does partake of the cohort model. Tuition is $1,311 per credit unit for the online master of education in special education at the University of Cincinnati.
