Why Enroll in the Gifted Education Endorsement Courses at Barry University?

Every society values and encourages the development of talents and cognitive abilities in its youngsters. At the same time, educators at all levels have the responsibility to help bring about an equitable and peaceful society, one in which all students are valued as individuals and offered the kind of education that allows them to explore their unique interests, talents, and learning preferences. It is with these vital issues in mind that Barry University Gifted Endorsement was created. The guiding principles of the Gifted Endorsement are diversity, equity, and excellence. In these courses, educators gain a strong foundation in theory and research-based practice to simultaneously pursue excellence and equity as goals for talent development in all students.

As part of Barry University’s Exceptional Student Education Program (ESE), the Gifted Endorsement may be taken by matriculated candidates within the ESE Program, as well as educators already certified in an area of education. The courses are conveniently scheduled for those working full-time. Courses are usually scheduled in a eight- and sixteen-week cycle format on Saturdays and weeknights at the Miami Shores campus. By completing the Endorsement, educators:

• enjoy working with a diverse student population by recognizing the unique socioemotional and cognitive development of gifted learners
• acquire appropriate teaching and learning strategies used in gifted programs
• gain the skills to reflect on their own practice and professional development
• qualify to work with those students identified as gifted and talented under the guidelines of the State of Florida
• increase their potential income and job security

Course Descriptions

The Gifted Endorsement is composed of five courses, which adhere to the exemplary standards for graduate programs in gifted education and position papers by the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the performance based-standards of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and the Florida Competencies for Exceptional Student Education and Gifted (FCESE/G). The core courses of the Endorsement also meet the specialization requirements of the Florida Gifted Endorsement (6A-4.01791).

The five required endorsement courses are:

ESE 523 Nature and Needs of the Gifted (3 credits)
This course focuses on the historical, theoretical, and practical aspects of the field of gifted and talented education. It provides candidates with a structure of knowledge that includes the characteristics and special needs of children with gifts and talents from diverse sociocultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds.

ESE 522 Guidance and Counseling of Gifted Students (3 credits)
This course provides candidates with an understanding of the affective aspects of giftedness and the psychological, cultural, and environmental factors that influence the growth of gifted children. Effective teaching approaches, as well as guidance, mentoring, and counseling interventions that attend to the unique needs of gifted children will be examined.

ESE 534 Theory and Development of Creativity (3 credits)
This course examines the concept of creativity through a psychological, environmental, and sociocultural approach. The various ways in which creativity is manifested, as well as ways to nurture children’s creative thinking and expression.

ESE 518 Educating Special Populations of Gifted Students (3 credits)
This course emphasizes the sociocultural and educational differences of gifted students, particularly those underrepresented in gifted and talented programs - culturally and linguistically diverse, twice-exceptional, underachievers, highly creative, and economically disadvantaged. Candidates will learn instructional approaches, resources, and materials necessary for the effective implementation of an equitable system that is both culturally affirming and inclusive.

ESE 535 Educational Procedures & Curriculum for Students with Gifts and Talents (3 credits)
This course provides candidates with comprehensive theoretical and research-based educational procedures and differentiated curriculum planning and instructional design for the education of gifted and talented students. Candidates will be exposed to a variety of enrichment and acceleration approaches and techniques used in the field, with special emphasis on Renzulli’s Schoolwide Enrichment Model.