Become a Gifted Education Director with this Online Endorsement Program

Admission Requirements

Please note: the following admission requirements apply to both the Director of Gifted Education Endorsement program summarized on this page, and the Educational Leadership EdS with Director of Gifted Education Endorsement option.

• Possess (or be in the process of finishing) a master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or a comparable degree from a foreign institution.

• Have a cumulative 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 still completing your master's degree at the time you apply, admission will be based on your current cumulative GPA, and you will need to re-submit your official transcript (showing your conferred degree and final GPA) during your first semester. If your final GPA fell below 3.00, you will be given additional requirements as defined by the academic program that must be met within one calendar year to remain enrolled at UNC.

• 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 for those seeking the Colorado Initial Administrator License with Director of Gifted Education Endorsement: to be eligible for the license/endorsement once you complete the program, you must have completed a minimum of two years experience specifically working with students with exceptional academic and talent aptitude.

• Note: the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for this program.

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Eligibility by State

At this time, UNC can serve online education to students from every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We are not able to offer distance education in American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

Certain programs may have additional state approval processes for some experiential learning activities, such as practica, internships and clinicals. Please check the State Authorization page for additional information on UNC’s ability to offer distance education across state lines and a list of those programs and states where additional state approval is required. For additional information or questions, please contact jake.henderson@unco.edu.

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International Student Eligibility

International students residing outside of the United States are eligible to apply to our online programs. Applicants for online programs must demonstrate English proficiency, or enroll in the UNC Intensive English Program, in order to be considered.

Students in completely online UNC programs are not required to come to the United States. You will not need a student visa or receive any immigration documentation, and do not need to provide financial documentation.

Please visit the International Students Admission Requirements page for details about English proficiency requirements and applying as an international student.

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Endorsement Program Transfer Credit Policy

Graduate endorsement programs feature highly specialized learning outcomes determined by our expert faculty (and, in many cases, driven by state endorsement preparation requirements). Therefore, to ensure that endorsement program completers attain this specialized knowledge, students will need to complete all coursework directly from this UNC program.

Tuition

This is an Extended Campus program, which means:

• A flat per-credit tuition rate for all students (in-state or out-of-state)
• There are no student fees – they are incorporated into our flat tuition rate
• Certain courses may carry specific course fees for additional services and materials

Program tuition for the 2023-24 academic year (which runs Fall, Spring, and Summer terms) is $662 per credit hour. Tuition for the 2024-25 academic year will be determined mid-June 2024.

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.

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Financial Aid

Endorsement-only (non-degree seeking) students aren't eligible for aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your program coordinator may be aware of your eligibility for any discipline or campus-based aid if available.

For more specific help, contact the Office of Financial Aid: ofa@unco.edu, 970-351-4862 or via the UNC Financial Aid website.

Students can also find helpful information such as the Guide to Federal Student Aid at https://studentaid.gov/resources. Most of the resources are available in English, Spanish and Braille.