Talented & Gifted Endorsement

Our TAG Endorsement program's main goal is to promote practical application in schools and classrooms of evidence-based, best practices related to advanced learners and talent development. Facilitated through the expertise of the Belin-Blank Center, you will be immersed in a high-quality, flexible endorsement program that can be completed 100% online. Needs-based financial assistance is available. Contact us!

This experience will certainly allow me to begin the next step of my career with knowledge and confidence!

Educator

About Us

About the Program

The Belin-Blank Center’s TAG Endorsement: Programming for Advanced Academics aligns with the state of Iowa requirements, so its participants are equipped to meet the needs of advanced learners.

The program of study’s coursework is relevant for today’s classrooms and learners and focuses on practical ideas, suggestions, strategies, and resources. All the courses are facilitated by individuals with advanced preparation and extensive knowledge in the field, possess teaching or leadership experience, and contributed to the field in terms of research, presentations, and/or service. The endorsement can be completed in as few as three semesters.

Complete in 12 semester hours
100% online
Flexible program of study
Individualized to meet individual interests and local school needs
Research-based program taught be experts in their field
Fall, spring, AND summer offerings
Available to both practicing and pre-service teachers
Courses provided through Distance & Online Education
Undergraduate or graduate level tuition option
Needs-based scholarship opportunities
Advising through experts at the Belin-Blank Center!

Why University of Iowa

A Dozen Reasons to Learn (and Earn) with Us ...

#1 College of Education in the State of Iowa
100% online
Practical Strategies for Teachers
Financial Assistance (Needs-based Stipends, Workshop Vouchers)
Meets State of Iowa Endorsement Requirements & National Professional Standards
Course Electives to Provide Choice
Guided by Current Research and Best Practices
Flexible Practicum Experience
Emphasis on Acceleration, Mental Health, Rural and Small Schools, & Twice-Exceptionality
Accepts coursework from other institutions (up to 6 s.h.)
Pathway for an MA Degree - (Teaching, Leadership, and Cultural Competency with Advanced Academics Emphasis)
Taught by Experts in Advanced Learners and Talent Development

The Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa has been committed to Professional Learning since 1980. What started with a single opportunity in the summer has expanded to a Suite of Professional Learning ... coursework, workshops, Iowa Licensure Renewal Units, webinars, on-campus experiences, TAG endorsement, Graduate Certificate, & Masters Degree ... to meet the varied of needs of practicing teachers.

Come learn with us!

Our TAG Endorsement

The TAG Endorsement: Programming for Advanced Academics fulfills all the requirements for the state of Iowa TAG endorsement. It can be pursued by both practicing/in-service and pre-service educators. It complies with the National Association for Gifted Children’s (NAGC) Faculty Standards for Teacher Preparation Programs in Gifted & Talented Education and promotes both NAGC’s Teacher Knowledge & Skill Standards and the Pre-K – Grade 12 Gifted Education Programming Standards.

The TAG Endorsement program of study consists of 12 semester hours that covers a variety of topics pertinent to programming for advanced learners, including the eight specified sub-topics encapsulated in two principal areas, "Psychology of Gifted" and "Programming" required for the state of Iowa TAG endorsement. The program of study includes a 1 semester hour Capstone Practicum.

The Belin-Blank Center, in collaboration with the University of Iowa College of Education, administrate this endorsement.

The Principal Areas and their corresponding sub-topics are:

Psychology of Gifted:

Social Needs
Emotional Needs

Programming:

PreK-12 Identification
Differentiation Strategies
Collaboration Skills
Program Goals
Performance Measures
Program Evaluation

Organization

The TAG Endorsement: Programming for Advanced Academics program of study consists of 12 semester hours (s.h.). This includes required coursework (three courses - 7 s.h. total), elective courses (4 s.h. total) and the Capstone Practicum (1 s.h.). The electives can be 1 semester hour workshops, traditional 2-3 semester hour courses, or a combination of the two. Both the required and elective courses can be found in the program of study.

Students may transfer up to six semester hours of coursework from other institutions toward the TAG Endorsement: Programming for Advanced Academics program of study. Individuals should contact the Professional Learning team at the Belin-Blank Center for prior coursework approval. The Capstone Practicum must be completed as part of the TAG Endorsement: Programming for Advanced Academics program of study at the University of Iowa and cannot be substituted with coursework from another institution.

Pre-service teachers may complete the required and the elective learning experiences prior to graduation and either register for their Capstone Practicum before OR after graduation. The option to complete the Capstone Practicum during their first teaching assignment might be attractive for in-service teachers to better ensure its meaningfulness.

Capstone Practicum

The Capstone Practicum provides an opportunity for students to develop a guided, interest-based culminating product. The final product can be applicable to a classroom, school, district, or other local context.

Students may register for their practicum once they complete at least 9 semester hours toward the TAG Endorsement: Programming for Advanced Academics program of study.

The foundation of the Capstone Practicum is established through the required and elective learning experiences, additional readings, and conversations focused on the Capstone Practicum. Once students register for the Capstone Practicum, they will be contacted by a professional learning team member at the Belin-Blank Center to schedule a minimum of four meetings.

To gain a level of understanding of programming for advanced academics K-12, students must concentrate a portion of the Capstone Practicum on grade levels beyond an existing (or future) license. For those with an elementary license, they must acquire some experience with high school advanced programming. For those with a middle/high school license, they must acquire some experience with elementary advanced programming.

Gaining understanding of programming for advanced academics K-12 has two key components - readings and the field work. More detailed information about the practicum is available through the Belin-Blank Center professional learning team.

Although students cannot officially register for the practicum until they complete at least 9 semester hours toward the TAG Endorsement: Programming for Advanced Academics program of study, they may start on the field work earlier, if they choose. This flexibility recognizes the busy schedule of practicing teachers.

Masters Degree

The coursework that is required in the TAG Endorsement: Programming for Advanced Academics can be applied to a UI masters degree (with an Advanced Academics emphasis).

Please note that non-degree students who are interested in working toward a masters degree should not take more than 6 semester hours before they apply for it. This ensures that you are economical with your credit hours.

Current Tuition & Fees

For 2024-2025, graduate tuition is $626 per credit hour and undergraduate tuition is $376 per credit hour. Students in a degree program are charged various university fees. Non-degree students are only charged tuition, technology fees, and a one-time document fee (starting the second session/semester of registration). The 1 semester hour workshops do NOT charge a technology fee.

Courses

View the course list.

Study as a Cohort

Because of a generous funding from the Cole-Belin Education Foundation, the Belin-Blank Center is pleased to announce a significant scholarship for FIVE Iowa teachers who are interested in pursuing the state of Iowa TAG endorsement starting Fall 2024. The TAG endorsement consists of 12 semester hours that includes required courses, elective courses, and an independent practicum project. Participants will register for BBC: 4137 Introduction to Educating Gifted students as the first course on the program of study.

The scholarship is $4,500. The first installment ($1,000) will be paid on the 10th day of enrollment in the first semester (Fall 2024). The remaining balance ($3,500) will be paid on the 10th day of enrollment in the last semester.

Belin Scholar Cohort Application

Belin Scholar Recommendation

Requirements

Licensed Iowa educator
Minimum of 3 years teaching experience
Enroll in the TAG Endorsement through the UI College of Education
Enroll in the Introduction course as the first course
Complete the entire 12 semester hour TAG endorsement through the University of Iowa
Enroll in at least 1 semester hour each semester - fall, spring, summer (there are several 1 semester hour workshops each summer that run 4 weeks)
Complete endorsement in 3 academic years*
Complete the application (including one letter of recommendation)
Participate in six Zoom cohort meetings (approximately 45 minutes each) spread over four consecutive semesters
Provide a copy of the practicum project for a digital library

*If you currently possess an Iowa Conditional License and are teaching TAG, be sure to check on the required timeline for completion from the state. You might need to complete the endorsement in less than 3 years.

Getting Started

The courses can be taken as part of an undergraduate or graduate program or a non-degree program. Non-degree seeking students may apply through Distance & Online Education. This results in only being charged tuition and applicable tech fees. A one-time document fee ($75) is charged when you sign up for a second session/semester for coursework.

Admission into the TAG endorsement program is two easy steps.

Step 1: Contact the Office of Student Services, ask-education@uiowa.edu for application information. This will get you set up with TAG Endorsement program of study.

Step 2: Apply to Distance & Online Education. You can only do this AFTER you are admitted to the TAG program through the Office of Student Services (Step 1). If you plan to register as either a degree seeking or non-degree seeking graduate student, you will need to send official transcripts (or confirm they are already on file) to gradmail@uiowa.edu.

When the requirements for the TAG Endorsement are completed, the licensure staff can help navigate the steps to add the TAG endorsement to a license.