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faqs

What does an instructional specialist in special education do, and what degree do I need?

A special education instructional specialist supports classroom teaching, coaches general-education colleagues on serving students with exceptionalities and helps design and evaluate instructional programs, without necessarily holding an administrator title. A-State’s MSE in Special Education – Instructional Specialist K-12 is built specifically for this role.

What degree do I need to become a gifted and talented program director?

If you already hold a master’s degree, this certificate is A-State’s fastest path to the Curriculum/Program Administrator (G&T) license, with no new degree required. If you’d prefer to pursue the credential as part of a full terminal degree instead, see A-State’s Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, GT Director.

Will school districts fund my gifted and talented certification?

It depends on the district. Many offer tuition assistance or reimbursement for staff pursuing additional licensure, including director-level credentials, but policies vary. Check with your district’s HR or professional development office about funding this certificate specifically.

What’s the difference between A-State’s gifted certificate and gifted director certificate?

A-State’s Instructional Specialist Gifted, Talented & Creative Certificate certifies teachers for Gifted Education K-12, with no administrator licensure component. This Gifted, Talented Director Certificate is a separate, 18-credit-hour program for educators who already hold a master’s degree and want the Curriculum/Program Administrator (G&T) license required to lead a gifted program at the campus or district […]

Do gifted and talented directors need administrative certification too?

In many states, yes. Directing a gifted program at the district or campus level typically requires an administrator-level license in addition to a gifted education background. This Ed.S. is built to provide that administrative licensure alongside gifted-specific leadership coursework.

What degree do I need to become a gifted and talented program director?

This Ed.S. is designed for educators who already hold a master’s degree and want the terminal Curriculum/Program Administrator (G&T) license required for district- or campus-level gifted program leadership. If you don’t want to complete another full degree, A-State’s Gifted, Talented Director Certificate offers a certificate-only path to the same license.

Are there online certificates for gifted and talented endorsement?

Yes. A-State’s Instructional Specialist Gifted, Talented & Creative Certificate is a 15-credit-hour, fully online program for teachers who want to become eligible for the GTC K-12 endorsement without completing a new master’s degree in a specialization of the education field.

Is a master’s in gifted education worth it for an elementary teacher?

For elementary teachers who want to formally identify and serve gifted learners, lead a gifted program or move into a coordinator role, the full master’s builds the assessment, programming and leadership expertise those roles require. Teachers who only want the classroom-level GT&C endorsement, without pursuing a program-leadership role, may find the certificate-only path a faster, […]

What’s the job market for gifted education specialists?

Graduates are prepared for roles such as gifted education teacher, program director, instructional coordinator, gifted and talented coordinator and training and development specialist, positions found in K-12 schools and districts as gifted programming continues to expand nationally.

What’s the difference between this master’s and A-State’s Gifted, Talented & Creative certificate?

This MSE is a 30-credit-hour master’s degree for teachers who want the full credential, deeper coursework in assessment and program development, and eligibility for program-leadership roles. A-State’s Instructional Specialist Gifted, Talented & Creative Certificate is a shorter, 15-credit-hour path for already-licensed teachers who want the GT&C K-12 endorsement without completing a new master’s degree.

What degree or certification do teachers need to work with gifted and talented students?

Requirements vary by state and role, but the credential ladder generally runs from a gifted education endorsement or certificate (an add-on to an existing license, no new degree required), to a certificate-level director credential, up to a full master’s degree like this MSE. Teachers who want the full master’s-level credential and the broadest career options […]

What are the best online master’s programs in gifted and talented education?

A-State’s MSE in Gifted, Talented & Creative is recognized among the “Best Online Master’s in Education Programs” by U.S. News & World Report (2026) and is a CAEP-accredited, 30-credit-hour program built specifically around identifying and serving gifted learners, a distinguishing feature next to more generalized education master’s programs.

How does this degree compare to a specialist-level credential?

Both this MSE and A-State’s Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, Principalship lead toward Arkansas’s Building Level Administrator license. This master’s is the standard entry point for teachers moving into their first administrative role. If you already hold a master’s degree, or you’re aiming for a district-level or specialist-level position, compare admission requirements, credit hours, and cost […]

Is this degree still valuable if I’m not planning to become a principal?

Yes. While the MSE in Educational Leadership prepares graduates for building-level administration roles such as principal and assistant principal, the skills developed in this program are directly applicable to a range of leadership roles that don’t require formal administrator licensure. Department chairs, grade-level leads, instructional coaches, curriculum specialists and teachers pursuing leadership responsibilities within their […]

Which Arkansas licensure does this degree lead to?

Graduates of A-State’s online MSE in Educational Leadership are prepared to pursue Arkansas’s Building Level Administrator license — the credential required to serve as a principal, assistant principal or vice principal in Arkansas’s P-12 public schools. The license is issued by the Arkansas Department of Education (DESE) and requires this master’s degree, at least three […]

Is this program approved by the Arkansas Department of Education for principal licensure?

Yes. A-State’s online MSE in Educational Leadership is CAEP-accredited and prepares graduates to pursue Arkansas’s Building Level Administrator license, the credential required to serve as a principal, assistant principal or vice principal in Arkansas’s P-12 schools. If you’re pursuing licensure, you’ll need three years of teaching experience to qualify. For approvals in states outside Arkansas, […]

Why should I choose an accredited master’s program in educational leadership? What’s the difference with non-accredited programs?

Accredited master’s programs in educational leadership must meet the highest standards for faculty qualifications, teaching methods, curriculum and graduation rates. Without accreditation, there is no guarantee for students that a degree program meets those academic and professional standards. A-State’s MSE in Educational Leadership is both nationally accredited through CAEP and state-approved for educator licensure programs […]

What career paths does the enrollment management focus in this program prepare me for?

This program includes a dedicated two-course enrollment management sequence — Essentials of Enrollment Management Planning and Advanced Enrollment Management — covering strategic planning, matriculation, retention, and online/graduate pipelines. This depth of focus is uncommon in general higher education master’s programs and prepares graduates specifically for roles like Director of Enrollment Management.