Curriculum & Instruction Graduate Certificates

Gifted Education Certificate

The Gifted Education Certificate program through the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver is intended to increase the level of knowledge, expertise and understanding of educators working with students who are gifted.

Quick Facts

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  If you have a teaching license in Colorado, you'll be eligible to apply for the Colorado CORE Endorsement through the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) after completing the certificate.

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  After completing this certificate, you're just 7 classes away from getting a Master’s degree in C&I with a specialization in Gifted Education.

Overview

The required courses intend to raise awareness of the unique characteristics, emotional/social needs, identification challenges and other issues associated with students who are gifted. Those who seek to work with gifted and talented students will gain an understanding of trends, policies and guidelines to ensure implementation of appropriate academic curriculum, differentiation strategies, identification, educational interventions, and support for this diverse population.

This certificate, which may lead to a Core Endorsement through the Colorado Department of Education, is 24 credit hours. The Certificate can be earned in four (4) to eight (8) academic quarters (one to two years) depending on the number of hours taken each quarter. Students should expect to spend extensive time on gifted education projects and coursework. Learning formats include in-person sessions, inquiry projects, various online activities and fieldwork.

Certificate programs provide substantial education in a specific academic discipline or on a coherent and freestanding body of knowledge. The certificate issued at the completion of the program represents the achievement of competence in a well-defined area of study.

Requirements

Courses (24 credit hours)

Course locations vary and may be offered online, on-campus, or off-site. Completion time varies depending on number of credit hours taken each academic quarter.

• Psychological Aspects of the Gifted (CUI 4401, three credit hours)
• Curriculum for Gifted Learners (CUI 4402, three credit hours)
• Instructional Strategies for Gifted (CUI 4403, three credit hours)
• Twice-Exceptional Students (CUI 4404, three credit hours)
• Special Topics in Identification of the Gifted (CUI 4407, three credit hours)
• Creativity: Theory & Practice (CUI 4408, three credit hours)
• Program Development, Leadership & Communication (CUI 4410, three credit hours)
• Race, Class and Gender (CUI 4160, three credit hours) OR Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Gifted Learners (CUI 4412, three credit hours)

Cohort Options

• Non-District Specific Cohort (DU Campus): Open to all aspiring educators seeking specialization in Gifted Education
• District Specific Cohort: Serves educators working in Colorado school districts

Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) Certificate

For the Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) certificate, students complete courses to prepare them to be evidence-based practitioners and researchers who integrate culturally responsive pedagogy and the cultural, language, cognitive and academic needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners in community and classroom practices. If you have a teaching license, this certificate qualifies as the state-approved CLDE endorsement. All DU students can earn a stand-alone 24-credit certificate in Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education or combine the certificate with one of our degree programs.

Quick Facts

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  If you have a teaching license in Colorado, you'll be eligible to apply for the Colorado CORE endorsement through the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) after completing the certificate.

Requirements

Courses (24 Credit Hours)

• Foundations of Education for Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Learners (CUI 4529, 3 credits)
• Language and Cultural Issues in Assessment and Instruction (CUI 4536, 3 credits)
• Literacy and Language Development for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners (CUI 4538, 3 credits)
• Language Development and Strategies for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners (CUI 4531, 3 credits)
• Critical Perspectives: Democracy, Power, and Privilege (CUI 4305, 3 credits)
• Curriculum Theory into Practice (CUI 4022, 3 credits)
• Family-School Partnering and Consultation (CFSP 4330, 3 credits)
• Humanizing Pedagogies (CUI 4047, 3 credits)

Special Education Certificate

For the Special Education certificate, students complete courses that prepare them to become evidence-based practitioners and researchers who optimize social-emotional, cognitive, academic and behavioral outcomes for children with special needs. Through their coursework, they collaborate with families, community partners and school personnel to enhance learning opportunities for children with special needs. Successful candidates apply theory to practice and research, and may qualify for district, school or university leadership positions.

Quick Facts

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  If you're a licensed Colorado teacher, you'll be eligible to apply for the Special Education Generalist endorsement through the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) after completing the certificate.

Requirements

Courses (24 Credit Hours)

• Foundations of Special Education: Inclusive Pedagogy for Students with Disabilities (TEP 4010, three credit hours)
• Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment: Theory & Practice III (CUI 4542, three credit hours)
• Learning Technologies & Behavior Analysis (CFSP 4312, three credit hours)
• Literacy Instruction I (TEP 4590, three credit hours)
• Literacy Instruction II (TEP 4591, three credit hours)
• Mathematics Across the Content Areas (CUI 4505, three credit hours) OR Elementary Math Methods for Cultural Linguistic Diversity (CUI 4503, three credit hours)
• Professional, Leadership & Ethical Issues in Special Education: Birth to 21 (CFSP 4315, three credit hours)
• Exceptionalities in Education: High Incidence Disabilities (CFSP 4305, three credit hours)