Director of Gifted Education Endorsement
- Graduate Educator Licensure or Endorsement
- Online
- Online
1-2 Years
Fall Term (Aug.)
Spring Term (Jan.)
Summer Term (May)
$722/Credit
An Online Gifted Education Director Endorsement Program
Do you want to become a Gifted Education Director? Join our online Director of Gifted Education Endorsement program. You will get the skills to lead gifted education programs for a school district.
You’ll have the convenience of online delivery while learning from national leaders in gifted education. You’ll also complete an externship so that you can apply the new skills you are learning.
What You’ll Learn
You will build on your experience in gifted education and gain administrative expertise that is specific to your field. You’ll learn about:
- Administration and supervision
- Program planning and evaluation
- Legal policies and regulations
- Budgeting and financing
You will get all of the knowledge you need to develop and run successful gifted education programs.
Lead Gifted Education
Become a Gifted Education Director
This program is approved by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) for training Gifted Education Directors. You will complete the approved-program requirement for a Colorado Initial Administrator License with Director of Gifted Education Endorsement.
No matter where you plan to work, this endorsement will help you become a leader in the field. You will be ready to thrive in district-level jobs. More importantly, you will have a greater impact on students’ lives.
Course of Study
Delivered Fully Online
- All program coursework is delivered online.
- You will also complete an externship in gifted education administration so that you can apply the skills you learn.
- How long the program takes to finish depends on how many courses you take per term, and whether you need more than 18 credits. Many students will take two courses per term and finish in about one year.
Courses and Requirements
This is a 27-36 credit endorsement program. It can be completed in as few as 18 credits by most students.
- Some or all of the Required Major Credit courses can be waived if you took them while earning your Gifted Education Specialist Endorsement.
- The number of externship credits you take will depend upon your academic background and your career goals. Most students will take three credits.
Available as Part of an EdS or PhD Degree
Educational Leadership EdS
- UNC offers an Educational Leadership EdS with Director of Gifted Education Endorsement.
- You can also add Principal Licensure to attain dual licensure.
Special Education PhD
- You can add the Director of Gifted Education Endorsement as your Area of Special Interest.
- Note: Tuition for the PhD program will differ from this program.
Have Questions? Get in Touch!
Anna Taylor
Enrollment Counselor
Amy Graefe
Program Coordinator
Tuition Rate
Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate
You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
Per Credit
Rate for the 2025-26 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*
No Student / Technology Fees
Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.
*Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year will be decided mid-June 2026.
Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.
Financial Aid and Support
- The federal government only awards financial aid for courses that count toward completion of a UNC degree, so federal aid is not available for this stand-alone endorsement.
- If you will need financial aid, please work with UNC Office of Financial Aid for information about non-federal loans.
- UNC also offers a monthly payment option.
Program Eligibility
General Admission Requirements
- Possess a master’s degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are in the process of completing a previous degree or have special GPA considerations, please read the specific requirements for this program type.
- The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for graduate school admission.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
- Possess (or be in the process of finishing) a master’s degree or higher in gifted education from a regionally accredited college or university, or a comparable degree from a foreign institution.
- Hold a Colorado Gifted Education Specialist Endorsement or the equivalent.
- You must have completed two years of successful experience working with gifted students. Note: this experience requirement also applies to eligibility for receiving the Colorado Initial Administrator License with Director of Gifted Education Endorsement.
Eligibility for Out-of-State Students
Eligibility by State
UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the major U.S. territories. We check for changes in state rules as needed. Some states may have extra rules for internships, clinical placements, and student teaching. Visit the State Authorization page to learn more.
Licensure Eligibility by State
UNC’s professional licensure programs are designed to lead to Colorado licensure. Each state sets their own requirements, so a UNC program might not lead to licensure in other states. Visit the UNC Licensure page to learn more about which states UNC programs meet educational requirements for licensure.
It’s important to understand requirements in the state where you plan to work. Visit the State Licensure Boards page to find each state’s licensing agency and contact information. Questions? Contact Licensure@unco.edu.
International Student Eligibility
You are eligible to apply: We accept international students to online UNC programs. We can’t guarantee that our programs meet distance education requirements for every country. Before you apply, check your country’s policies and regulations. You should not apply if you live in a country that is subject to U.S. sanctions.
No student visa: Students in online UNC programs do not need to come to the United States. You will not get a student visa or receive any immigration documentation. You do not need to provide financial documentation when applying.
You will need to provide proof of your English language ability or complete the UNC Intensive English Program. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:
- Minimum English language requirements
- Applying as an international student
Meet with an Enrollment Counselor
Meet the Program Faculty
Visit the Academic Department
Are You Ready to Apply?
Thank you for your interest in this UNC program! Here are some elements you can check to be sure you are eligible and ready to apply to this program.
Program Eligibility
See the Program Eligibility section above.
Licensure Eligibility by State
This program is related to a state licensure, endorsement or other credential. If you intend to pursue a credential outside of Colorado, please check the Licensure Eligibility by State section above.
International Applicants
Please see the International Student Eligibility section above to check your eligibility for this program.
Recommended Application Deadlines
For the best possible admission, enrollment and orientation experience, we recommend that you complete your application by these dates, which are approximately 60 days before the start of each term:
- Summer term: March 15
- Fall term: June 15
- Spring term: Nov. 15
You can still apply after these dates, but if the date has passed please contact an Enrollment Counselor for support to apply and begin classes in the upcoming term. View the UNC Academic Calendar for the start dates for upcoming terms.
Application Process Details
On the application, you will choose:
- Licensure: Director of Gifted Education Endorsement
- Start term: Fall Term (Aug.), Spring Term (Jan.) or Summer Term (May)
View the full program-specific application details in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
Apply to This Program
Register & Start Your Application
Submit a Started Application
Application Checklist & Status