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Gifted and Talented Director - Ed.S. in Educational Leadership Online

Arkansas State University's online Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, Gifted and Talented Director is a 30-credit-hour, CAEP-accredited program completed in as few as 14-16 months through accelerated online courses (7 weeks in fall and spring, 5 weeks in summer). Built for educators who already hold a master's degree and a Gifted, Talented and Creative teaching endorsement, it prepares graduates for Arkansas's Curriculum/Program Administrator (G&T) license and district- or campus-level gifted program leadership.

Next Apply Date: 9/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 10/12/26
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 9/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 10/12/26

Program Overview

What does A-State's online Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, G&T Director offer?

The Education Specialist in Educational Leadership, Gifted and Talented Director online program is designed to provide educators with a deeper understanding and increased proficiency of the unique needs of gifted and talented students. This post-graduate degree program will enable you to direct the management and continuous improvement of gifted student programs. The courses are designed to develop your ability to lead staff in the identification, selection, placement, and the development of gifted children.

This program includes an internship requirement that can be completed while you continue working as an educator or school administrator. In addition, some of the coursework you complete as part of this post-master's degree program may apply to an Arkansas State University doctoral degree in education.

For state program approvals, please refer to our State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page.

Additional documents

Textbook Information (.PDF)

This program requires Watermark – Student Learning & Licensure (SL&L).

In this program you will learn how to:

  • Improve your general educational and specific professional competencies as a school system leader
  • Deepen understanding and increase proficiency of the unique needs of gifted and talented students
  • Direct the management and continuous improvement of student gifted programs
  • Focus on perspectives, skills and processes necessary for managing curriculum and formalizing the curriculum decision-making process
  • Lead staff in the identification, selection, placement and development of gifted children
In this program you will learn how to:+
  • Improve your general educational and specific professional competencies as a school system leader
  • Deepen understanding and increase proficiency of the unique needs of gifted and talented students
  • Direct the management and continuous improvement of student gifted programs
  • Focus on perspectives, skills and processes necessary for managing curriculum and formalizing the curriculum decision-making process
  • Lead staff in the identification, selection, placement and development of gifted children

As a graduate of this online program, you will be prepared for various gifted and talented leadership roles, including:

  • Director of Gifted and Talented Education
  • Director of Curriculum/Gifted and Talented Programs
  • Instructional Specialist, Gifted/Talented Program
  • Gifted and Talented Coordinator
  • Gifted and Talented Education Specialist
  • District Gifted and Talented Supervisor
  • Gifted Program Administrator
  • Curriculum Administrator – Gifted Services
As a graduate of this online program, you will be prepared for various gifted and talented leadership roles, including:+
  • Director of Gifted and Talented Education
  • Director of Curriculum/Gifted and Talented Programs
  • Instructional Specialist, Gifted/Talented Program
  • Gifted and Talented Coordinator
  • Gifted and Talented Education Specialist
  • District Gifted and Talented Supervisor
  • Gifted Program Administrator
  • Curriculum Administrator – Gifted Services
+

Also available:

This Ed.S. is the terminal-credential path in gifted education leadership. If you're weighing your options, explore the related programs below:

Total Tuition: $10,500
Program Duration: As few as 14-16 months
Credit Hours 30

Accreditation

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Tuition

How much does the online Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, G&T Director program cost?

Our Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, Gifted and Talented Director online program offers the same affordable tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $350
Total Tuition: $10,500

Calendar

When can you start the online Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, G&T Director program?

Our Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, Gifted and Talented Director online program is designed to be flexible and convenient for working professionals, featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates a year.

Please note that the internship course lasts a full semester and only starts in Fall 1 and Spring 1 of terms.

Please note Summer 1 and Summer 2 terms are 5 weeks in duration for this program.

View full calendar +

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 18/19/268/5/268/5/268/17/268/17/2610/2/26
Fall 210/12/269/28/269/28/2610/8/2610/9/2612/4/26
Spring 11/11/2712/28/2612/28/261/7/271/8/272/26/27
Spring 23/8/273/4/272/22/273/4/273/5/274/30/27

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 9/28/26
Start Class 10/12/26

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

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Admissions

What are the admission requirements for the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, G&T Director program?

Students who are interested in our Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, Gifted and Talented Director online program must have a master’s degree from an accredited institution and one year of Gifted and Talented teaching experience. For students seeking Curriculum/Program Administrator (G&T) licensure in the state of Arkansas, you will need 3 years of teaching experience, and you must already have the Gifted & Talented endorsement on your teaching license in order to acquire this licensure. Review full admission requirements below. At this time, International students may not be accepted into any Educational Leadership program – only students with a valid US teaching license that are working in a US school district are eligible for this program.

Admission Requirements:

  • Online application
  • Master's degree
  • Active teaching license
View all admission requirements +

Admission requirements

  • Master’s degree from an accredited institution with at least 3.25 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • A valid, standard teaching license
  • One year of experience as a certified gifted, talented, and creative (GTC) teacher in an educational institution
  • Commitment from an appropriate professional who will function as your mentor during the degree program. View acceptable mentors (PDF).
  • Candidates will be required to submit the self-disposition document provided and verification for teacher effectiveness and leadership abilities

Note: If you have a 3.0-3.24 GPA, you must make a grade of B or better during the first 9 hours of graduate work at Arkansas State University.

Application submission requirements

  • Complete online application
  • Pay the nonrefundable $30 fee
  • Send official transcript(s) from the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution. For this program, we will only need an official transcript that shows your conferred master's degree.

Submit all documents to:

A-State Online
P.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467


Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]

Additional information

While not required for admission, Teacher/Leader Effectiveness Credentials will be required prior to registering for your first course.

For more information on state eligibility, please visit our State Authorization and Licensure Disclosures page.

Additional required documents

As part of the student's portfolio, the following information is required to be completed prior to registering for the 3rd term (second semester):

  • Video Essay
  • Writing Sample

These additional documents are not required to render an admissions decision.

Appeals process

  • Email a written Letter of Appeal and GRE or GMAT scores (may be unofficial) to [email protected]

Transfer credits

Up to 9 graduate hours from A-State or other higher education institutions may be credited toward a program subject to department approval. No course can be older than six years by graduation time. The course must have been taken at the level of the program you are seeking. To request prior credit be evaluated, please complete the Graduate Transfer Credit Evaluation Form.

Courses

What courses are in the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, G&T Director curriculum?

Students pursuing this Ed.S. program must complete the following 10 courses (30 credit hours).

You can view your schedule of courses for this degree through the Course Smartsheet:

View the AOS Course Smartsheet

How to Use the Course Smartsheet

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the legal aspects of education for the purpose of familiariz­ing school personnel with the legal features of school organization and administration. The course will consider constitutional and statutory provisions, but the major emphasis will be directed to the study of court decisions relating to education.  Dual Listed/Cross Listed: Dual listed as ELAD 6073.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course presents an overview of educational administra­tion for practitioners within the context of ethical and professional behavior.  Dual Listed/Cross Listed: Dual listed as ELAD 6203.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focuses on authentic problems and clinical activities that require candidates to demonstrate leadership skills and practices integral to school leadership. The internship must be completed during the semester in which a candidate completes the degree. Must be last class taken and taken by itself.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Focuses on perspectives, skills, and processes necessary for managing curriculum and formalizing the curriculum decision-making process.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Combines attributes of supervising teaching with the formal aspects of teacher evaluation via emphasis on adult development, clinical supervision, and evaluation processes and models extant in public schools.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of current curriculum innovations and their underlying theoretical bases. Emphasis is given to current research on effective schools and to the translation of effective curriculum designs into practice.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A review of learning theories followed by an intensive study of various models of teaching available to the classroom teacher with emphasis upon mastery of selected models.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides candidates with the opportunity to develop leadership skills in information technology. Analyzing the role of the technology as a catalyst for change, emphasis is on identification and evaluation of implementing new technologies in instructional environments.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of research and theory re­lated to giftedness and an analysis of data-driven decision-making for effective classroom practice for gifted students.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A comprehensive study of leadership for gifted, talented and creative education programs related to the foundation, structure, efficacy and directorship of them.
Applicants seeking an Arkansas teaching license by reciprocity who hold a valid license from another state in Childhood (P-4), Elementary Education (K-6), Middle Childhood (4-8), or Secondary Social Studies (7-12) must meet an Arkansas History requirement by documentation of the successful completion of three (3) college credit hours in Arkansas History at an accredited college or university OR a 45-hour professional development piece in Arkansas History through Arkansas IDEAS. Applicants holding a valid license in areas other than the four mentioned above do not have to meet the Arkansas History requirement. HIST 3083 History of Arkansas (offered in summer terms only) meets the Arkansas history requirement.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
UNITED STATES HISTORY. An advanced survey of Arkansas history from prehistoric times to the present with an emphasis on political, economic, and social/cultural themes. Fall, Spring, Summer. Required of BSE Social Science majors.

Built for Arkansas Educators

Arkansas State University's Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, Gifted and Talented Director is designed for Arkansas educators already holding a master's degree and a Gifted, Talented and Creative teaching endorsement. Candidates seeking Arkansas's Curriculum/Program Administrator (G&T) licensure need three years of teaching experience. The degree is completed entirely online with an embedded internship you can complete while continuing to work. For state authorization and Arkansas-specific licensure approval details, visit the State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page.

FAQ

Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, G&T Director Online FAQs

Intro copy

Arkansas State University's online Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, Gifted and Talented Director is a 30-credit-hour, CAEP-accredited program built specifically for this credential, preparing graduates for Arkansas's Curriculum/Program Administrator (G&T) license.
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.
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.

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