Early Entry to the Graduate Certificate in AIG Program for Undergraduate Students

photo of students smiling nicely

Qualifying undergraduate students at Charlotte who are interested in taking up to two 3-credit hours in the Graduate Certificate in AIG program may apply for Early Entry.

Benefits of Early Entry:

  • Early Entry students gain in-depth access to content knowledge about Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) children, which will expand their understanding of the diverse range of these learners.
  • Early Entry students may take one or both of the following courses:

SPED 6161: Social Emotional Needs of Gifted Students
Offered in Spring and 2nd Summer | No prerequisites

An overview of current theory and practice in understanding gifted students social and emotional development. Topics discussed in class range from the social and emotional needs of the general population of gifted students to the unique needs of specific sub-groups of gifted students (e.g., gifted girls, gifted and learning disabled, gifted minority students)

SPED 5211: Nature and Needs of Gifted Students
Offered in Fall and 1st Summer | No prerequisites

Examination of the historical and philosophical perspectives of education for gifted and talented learners with emphasis on answering the question “What is giftedness?” Issues explored in the course include identification procedures, instructional options, the nature of intelligence and creativity, laws/policies, psychological and emotional correlates of talent, and current research findings.

  • There are only four courses in the AIG Grad Cert program, so if students take two as undergraduates, it will offset the cost to finish at the graduate level.
  • Upon subsequent completion of the Certificate coursework, candidates will be eligible for NC add-on licensure in AIG
  • Early Entry students who are interested in a career in education will be better prepared to identify and/or serve this unique population, and may be more competitive applicants for teaching positions due to this additional training
  • Early Entry students pay only the regular undergraduate tuition and fees for all courses (graduate and undergraduate) for which they register.
  • Courses in the AIG Program are delivered 100% online, which is convenient for those with busy or complex schedules
  • AIG Certificate courses for qualifying Early Entry Students are also offered during Summer Sessions 1 and 2 (depending on enrollment).
  • The two AIG Graduate Certificate courses can count towards students’ undergraduate course credits. Students will need to complete an Early Entry petition when enrolled in each course to have it count as undergraduate credits.

Application Requirements

  • Qualifying undergraduate students interested in taking SPED 6161 (Social Emotional Needs of Gifted Students) and/or SPED 5211 (Nature and Needs of Gifted Students) may do so by applying for Early Entry through the Graduate School.
  • Undergraduate students must have earned 75 undergraduate course credit hours to apply for Early Entry.
  • The Graduate School recommends that students have earned approximately 90 credit hours prior to starting their first Early Entry course.
  • Students must have a minimum 3.4 overall undergraduate GPA to apply. (*This is an AIG Program requirement)
  • Students should maintain at least a 3.0 by the time they earn a baccalaureate degree (*This is a Graduate School requirement)

Apply Now!

Learn More:

For more information on Early Entry, go to: https://gradadmissions.charlotte.edu/admissions/early-entry

For more information about our AIG Graduate Certificate, check out our website:

https://spcd.charlotte.edu/academically-or-intellectually-gifted-education

Contact Dr. Michael Matthews (Michael.Matthews@charlotte.edu)