Gifted Education Certificate

Graduate Certificate – Gifted Education

Develop the expertise to recognize, nurture and challenge gifted learners. William & Mary’s Online Certificate in Gifted Education prepares educators to design engaging learning experiences that support the academic, social and emotional needs of high-ability students.

Whether you are seeking a Virginia gifted endorsement or looking to strengthen your instructional practice, this fully online certificate provides practical, research-based preparation grounded in national standards and best practices in gifted education. Students learn how to identify gifted learners, differentiate instruction and create learning environments where advanced students can thrive.

Program Highlights

Fully online, flexible format for working educators
Coordinated by faculty within William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education
Completion fulfills requirements for adding the Gifted Endorsement to a Virginia teaching license
Curriculum aligned with National Association for Gifted Children standards

Apply Now

Fast Facts

Degree Type: Graduate Certificate
Prerequisite(s): Bachelor’s degree in education or related field
Format: Online
Program Length: Part-time
Application Deadline: See our Deadlines page
Credit Hours: 12

Download the Fast Facts (PDF)

Program Coordinator

Ashley Carpenter
Clinical Assistant Professor
Email: aycarpenter@wm.edu

Areas of Expertise

ExpandAll Expand

Topics of study include cognitive and developmental theories of giftedness; techniques and strategies for supporting gifted students academically, socially and emotionally; and differentiation of classroom instruction for gifted learners.

Program of study

This certificate meets the current Virginia course requirements for the add-on endorsement in gifted education. Current Virginia teachers that want to pursue an add-on endorsement will need to work with their school division to complete the additional requirement of one-year of successful teaching of gifted learners under the mentorship of an endorsed teacher. Applications for the Virginia add-on endorsement are made by the school division with W&M transcripts attached.

Application materials include your unofficial transcript(s), a personal statement, a resume/CV, and a recommendation. We encourage prospective students to begin an application, as the portal provides a clear overview of all application requirements, including the personal statement prompt.

Looking for the application deadline? See our Deadlines & Decisions page.

More Information Start Your Application

View in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.

Tuition & Fees

Full-time educators currently working in a public or private PreK-12 institution in Virginia may
be eligible for a 25% discount on tuition for the Certificate in Gifted Education. Participants must be Virginia Residents, can only take up to six credit hours per semester, and must be employed full-time in a Virginia PK-12 school. The discount can only be used toward part-time master’s and certificate programs.

More Information

Webinar Series

Go to Webinars

Program Spotlight

Camp Launch, the Center for Gifted Education's summer camp for high-ability middle and high school students from low-income backgrounds, had record enrollment this year, with 216 students from 27 school divisions. Camp Launch staff included 37 William & Mary participants: three faculty members, 23 undergraduate students, four graduate students and four Camp Launch alumni.

“Not only does Camp Launch impact its students, but it also positively impacts the William & Mary community,” said CFGE’s Director of Precollegiate Learner Programs Mihyeon Kim.

Learn more.