Gifted and Talented Education, M.Ed.
Dr. Renee Collins, Program Director
Admission Criteria
Applicants for the Master of Education degree must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Admission to graduate study in gifted and talented education and reading specialist requires meeting two of the three academic standards as listed below and receiving the endorsement of the program director.
University Financial Aid Policy
Students in the Master of Education in Gifted and Talented Education program are considered full-time for federal financial aid purposes when enrolled in six hours per term (fall, spring, summer). Students who take a minimum of three hours during Summer I and/or Summer II are eligible for federal financial assistance. Contact Mrs. Landri Ognowski at (325) 670-1010; HSU Box 16050, Abilene TX 79698; Landri.Ognowski@hsutx.edu.
Academic Standards (must meet two of the three)
- GPA of 3.00 in all upper-level course work (junior and senior level courses) or overall undergraduate GPA of 2.70.
- GPA of 3.00 in all undergraduate course work appropriate to the intended field of study.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score at or above the 50th percentile on the verbal sub-test.
Departmental Endorsement
Admission to the program requires review and recommendation by the director of the program. All undergraduate prerequisites and/or transfer work must be approved by the director of the program and the dean of school or college that houses the academic program.
Courses
Note: By action of the Graduate Council and graduate faculty, all students must have a minimum of 50% of their curriculum in 6000 level courses.
Curriculum
Gifted and Talented Education (GIED)
Students majoring in gifted education will complete the 30 hours listed below.
Core Requirements:
Content Requirements:
COMP 6000: no credit
Note: The student, in conjunction with his/her graduate advisor, develops a course of study which fits the interests and career objectives of the student.
Total Credit Hours: 30
Curriculum
Gifted and Talented Supplemental Certificate
Course requirements for the Texas Gifted and Talented Supplemental Certificate are contained within the Masters of Education Degree in Gifted Education. Individuals seeking this certification must hold a Texas teacher’s certificate and must be admitted to graduate studies at Hardin- Simmons University. To be recommended for gifted and talented certification, an individual must complete 12 hours of course work listed below, complete three hours of practicum or two years of teaching experience in a gifted program, and pass the TExES exam for gifted and talented supplemental certification. This recommendation may occur at any point in the master’s program when the student meets the requirements for certification.
Courses Required for Gifted and Talented Supplemental Certificate
Select one course from the following
Note: Take GIED 6315 or provide two years successful classroom teaching experience in a program for gifted and talented students.
Total Credit Hours: 15
Comprehensive Exam
A written and/or oral comprehensive exam is a requirement of all MEd candidates. The exam (COMP 6000) should be scheduled with the graduate advisor during the last semester of course work. The content of the exam will be determined by the comprehensive exam committee composed of three faculty members recommended by the program director and approved by the dean of the school or college that houses the academic program.
Graduation Requirements
Successful completion of the 30 graduate semester hour academic requirements, followed by the successful completion of the comprehensive examination (COMP 6000), fulfills the graduation requirement for the Master of Education degree in Gifted and Talented Education.
Time Limit
All requirements for the Master of Education degree in gifted and talented education must be completed within five years from the semester of initial admission.