The Gifted and Creative Education Program at the University of Georgia incorporates the beliefs that knowledge is transitory, various perspectives are valuable, and competing theories and practices should be openly explored. Therefore, the theoretical basis for teaching and research incorporates various theories and is frequently updated. There is a sound theoretical base in educational psychology that provides the foundation for the program. This theoretical base indicates that intelligence is multidimensional (Guilford, Sternberg, Gardner, etc.); that creativity is a universal potential to be nurtured and enhanced (Torrance); and that the best education is tailored to students’ specific needs and interests for talent development rather than general instruction for students labeled gifted (Renzulli, Treffinger). Beyond this, there are specific courses dedicated to learning about the most pertinent and up-to-date theories in the various areas of gifted and creative education:
- Historical foundations
- Characteristics
- Assessment
- Curriculum
- Creativity
- Diversity
- Social/Emotional Development
Mission Statement
The mission of the Gifted/Creative Education Program at the University of Georgia is to advance knowledge about the attributes of giftedness and creativity within and across groups that may differ by age, culture, and economics, and to promote the application of assessment principles, learning and developmental theories, teaching strategies, counseling strategies, and research methodology to the education of these gifted and creative individuals.
This mission is based on the philosophy that giftedness and creativity are expressed in diverse ways among diverse people; that creativity is a universal potential to be nurtured and enhanced; that the best knowledge in the field incorporates various perspectives, theories, and approaches; and the best education is tailored to students’ specific needs and interests for talent development rather than general instruction for students labeled gifted. This mission will be accomplished by focusing on instruction, research, and service in the following ways:
Instruction
1 Preparing professionals to work with gifted and creative students in the school setting.
2 Preparing professionals to provide leadership and support for gifted and creative education at local, state, regional, national, and international levels.
3 Preparing professionals to teach, conduct research, and develop theory about gifted and creative individuals and their education.
Research
1 Investigating the development and psychology of giftedness and creativity.
2 Developing and evaluating identification and service delivery systems in gifted and creative education.
3 Promoting inter- and intra-institutional research.
4 Disseminating relevant research and evaluation findings to various audiences.
Service
1 Collaborating with local, state, regional, national, and international educational agencies on policy and practice in gifted and creative education.
2 Providing support and leadership in the field of gifted and creative education at local, state, regional, national and international levels.
Gifted, Creative, Talented Training on the Web (GCTWeb)
Career Options
Students who graduate from the Program for Gifted/Creative Education may assume a variety of roles including those of college or university professor, classroom teacher, coordinator of school system programs, coordinator in state departments of education, or educational consultant. Job openings and other information on career opportunities are posted regularly via electronic mail to all students enrolled in the GCE program.