Maryville has a long history of preparing gifted teachers for schools throughout the greater St. Louis area. Our "high touch" program engages top educators in small, face-to-face classes with hands-on preparation for the use of research-based models and methods with demonstrated success with the talent development of gifted students. Our graduates are recognized as effective teachers of gifted and talented students as well as well-rounded teachers of all students. The Gifted Area of Concentration may be taken as a separate set of coursework leading to the endorsement certificate in teaching gifted children or as an Area of Concentration within the 30 credit hour Master of Arts in Education. The endorsement requires that the teacher hold a valid teaching certificate in Missouri and has taught at least two years. Emphasis is upon developing critically reflective practice geared to identification and teaching of a broad spectrum of children perceived as gifted. The faculty expertise and commitment at Maryville has put the institution in a leadership position for St. Louis and the state.
For more information: email us at teachered@maryville.edu or call 314.529.9542.
Program Features
Recognized for Excellence
When you earn your MA in Education from Maryville, you'll have opportunities for excellence on every level. Our program is nationally accredited and recognized locally for being a leader in gifted teacher education. You'll work with outstanding faculty members and exemplary professionals in the field. You'll enjoy small classes, innovative approaches and plenty of opportunities for professional growth. With a strong foundation of theory and its practical application, you'll earn the reputation of being one of the most highly respected and best educators in the region.
Faculty Fully Qualified in Gifted Education
Steve Coxon is the assistant professor of gifted education at Maryville University in St. Louis where he serves as the Director of Graduate Programs in Gifted Education. He is a contributor to Gifted Child Today and Teaching for High Potential. Professor Coxon has provided numerous presentations at national, state, and local conferences, including the National Association for Gifted Children annual convention, the National Curriculum Networking Conference, and the Children's Engineering Convention. Prior to his work at Maryville, Professor Coxon served at the Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary as an assistant editor for the Journal for the Education of the Gifted and in providing professional development on the Javits-funded Project Clarion science units. Professor Coxon is an experienced public school teacher. His decade of public school experience includes elementary and high school positions along with working with gifted students ages 5-16 in special classes. He has also coached award-winning FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams through five seasons, twice winning the state level Judges' Award, and has served as a robot design judge and head judge at state and local competitions. Professor Coxon is the 2010 recipient of the Joyce VanTassel-Baska Award for Excellence in Gifted Education.
Degrees Offered and Requirements
Master of Arts in Gifted Education
Admission Requirements
For admission to the master's program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. You must have maintained at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA from your undergraduate studies; below 3.0 may apply for provisional acceptance.
- Submit the processing fee.
- Complete an application for admission to the program (on paper or online).
- Submit three letters of recommendation from qualified professionals.
- Submit the application essay to demonstrate that you have the necessary competencies for the program.
- International students must submit appropriate TOEFL scores.
