Sixth Year Certificate Fulltime Campus Program



About the Program
Program Staff and Faculty
EPSY Core Courses
Plan of Study
SuperComp
Applying to the Program

About the Program

The graduate program in gifted and talented education has existed for over thirty years. The program has grown continuously since its inception in 1968. Our graduate program is designed to prepare teachers and leadership personnel in various aspects of gifted education and talent development. The program is based upon the belief that the development of talent in areas, as well as concern for the moral and ethical development of persons, is essential in all children. This program is intended for persons who are interested in making creative contributions to the field as well as learning about the subject matter and teaching procedures that constitute gifted education and enrichment teaching and learning. The Sixth Year Program frequently leads to roles as administrators or curricular specialists in talent development or enrichment programs. These roles generally take place in public schools, or state and regional education agencies.

Our program leads to a Sixth-Year Diploma in Professional Education. The program is offered during the academic year at the Storrs campus of the University of Connecticut. Students attend full-time and complete all courses on the Storrs campus. It includes participation in Confratute, a conference/institute that takes place each summer.

The courses deal with many aspects of gifted education, and students are encouraged to pursue topics of individual interests such as course projects or related readings.

  • NCATE accreditation
  • Cohort program, high-energy, dedicated educators from national and international locations
  • Professional development opportunities linked to school-based issues and concerns
  • Strategy-based courses that apply high-end learning techniques to school improvement initiatives
  • Continuous faculty-student communication, advisement, and mentoring via on-site conferences and e-mail correspondence.
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Program Staff and Faculty

Judith Mathews, Program Coordinator—Contact
Siamak Vahidi, Technology Coordinator—Contact

Dr. Joseph Renzulli, Faculty—Contact
Dr. Sally Reis, Faculty—Contact
Dr. E. Jean Gubbins Faculty—Contact
Dr. Del Siegle, Faculty—Contact
Dr. Catherine Little, Faculty—Contact

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EPSY Core Course

EPSY 341: Principles and Methods of Educational Research (Usually taken third summer)
This is an introductory course designed to help graduate students understand and evaluate the educational research literature.
EPSY 360: Introduction to Gifted Education and Talent Development (Usually taken first summer)
Problems encountered in developing giftedness and talents in students: the nature of exceptional abilities, the history of special provisions, major scientific studies dealing with superior abilities, and contemporary educational systems and models.
EPSY 365: Creativity (Usually taken second summer)
The identification of creative thinking and problem solving and the development and implications of creativity training materials and teaching strategies.
EPSY 370: Developing Schoolwide Enrichment Programs (Usually taken first summer)
An overview of the theory and research behind and components within the Schoolwide Enrichment Model. Practical techniques for implementing the model in classrooms and school districts
Instructional and managerial techniques that can be used in the grade level classroom to meet the individual learning needs and talents of all students. Strategies for improving the effectiveness of large group, individual and small group instructional practices. Current and promising practices, as well as relevant research.
EPSY 381: Practicum
The implementation and application of theory in the student's area of specialization. Open to Master's and Sixth-Year students.
EPSY 384: Staff Development and Program Evaluation (Usually taken third summer)
Analysis of the issues and research in the field of education. Open to Master's and Sixth-Year students.
EPSY 459: Curricular Options for High Ability Learners (Usually taken second summer)
Curriculum theory and techniques with special attention to the development of instructional materials.
  Electives to be determined with advisor.

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Plan of Study

Each student's plan of study is developed individually in accordance with interests, experiences, and professional goals. The plan of study focuses on the following objectives:

  • Knowledge about past and present practices in gifted and talented education, talent development, and enrichment teaching and learning
  • Involvement in research, field work, or an internship setting to develop innovative curriculum, acquire new instructional skills, and produce solutions to implementation problems
  • Proficiency in research and reference skills to efficiently investigate topics of choice
  • Development or enhancement of professional development strategies
  • Completion of creative products representing a contribution to the literature in the field (curriculum materials, handbooks, research studies, media presentations)
  • Demonstration of leadership qualities and strategies for change through legislation, professional organizations, policy actions and/or research
A plan of study must be completed during the first semester of study. Please obtain a copy of the Sixth-Year plan of study from your advisor.

Background preparation and 30-39 credits (including core courses)

  • SuperComp Examination - computer-based exam
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SuperComp

SuperComp is a computer-based exam taken here on the Storrs campus during the student's last semester. The exam focuses on material covered in the following core courses.

EPSY 360 Introduction to Gifted Education and Talent Development
EPSY 370 Developing Schoolwide Enrichment Programs
EPSY 365 Creativity
EPSY 459 Curricular Options for High Ability Learners
EPSY 341 Principles and Methods in Educational Research
EPSY 384 Seminar in Gifted and Talented

The computer-based timed exam is taken on line through WebCT. Students must contact Judith Mathews (judith.mathews@uconn.edu) or Del Siegle (del.siegle@uconn.edu) prior to taking SuperComp.

Supercomp Study Guide

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Applying to the Program

For further information please visit the Graduate Application Procedures page.

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