Empower 2e Learners.
Master of Education in Special and Gifted Education: Twice Exceptional (2e) Learners (MEd)
Prepare for gifted education and special education add-on endorsements.
Master of Education in Special and Gifted Education: Twice Exceptional (2e) Learners (MEd)
You know that exceptional learners don’t always fit into one category. Some students are gifted, while others have disabilities. For students who fall into both categories, their giftedness may mask their disability, or their disability may make it harder for others to recognize their advanced abilities. As a result, 2e students may not always receive the full academic, social, and emotional support they need.
The University of Lynchburg’s Master of Education in Special and Gifted Education: Twice-Exceptional (2e) Learners is a 100% online master’s program that brings together two areas of teacher preparation that are often taught separately: special education and gifted education.
In this program, you’ll build the necessary skills to better identify, assess, support, and teach students with exceptional learning needs. You’ll learn how to design differentiated instruction, use assessment data, develop individualized education programs, collaborate with families and school teams, and create learning environments where twice exceptional learners can thrive.
Prepare for VDOE Add-on Endorsements in Gifted and Special Education
Schools need educators who can recognize the full range of a student’s strengths and needs, especially when giftedness and disability overlap.Â
This MEd program is designed to prepare eligible educators to pursue two VDOE add-on endorsements: the Gifted Education Add-on Endorsement and the Special Education General Curriculum Add-on Endorsement in either Elementary K-6 or Secondary 6-12. This dual endorsement combination makes Lynchburg a strong choice for licensed educators seeking a gifted education masters pathway that also deepens their preparation in special education.
Those who complete this program will be eligible to pursue the VDOE Gifted Education Add-on Endorsement and a Special Education General Curriculum Add-on Endorsement (Elementary or Secondary).
What’s the value of earning multiple endorsements in one MEd program?
Earning a single endorsement strengthens your teaching practice in one area, but earning multiple Virginia Department of Education endorsements can help you greatly expand what is possible in your career.
When you pursue a dual-endorsement MEd program, you prepare to serve students in more than one specialized area while building the advanced knowledge, instructional leadership skills, and credentials many schools need.
Instead of completing separate programs over time, at Lynchburg you can work toward multiple VDOE endorsements through one focused graduate pathway.
This is especially valuable if you’re ready to grow beyond your current classroom role, increase your flexibility in the job market, or prepare for future leadership opportunities. With multiple teaching endorsements in Virginia, you’ll be better positioned to meet the needs of diverse learners, support schoolwide initiatives, and pursue roles that align with your long-term goals.
Depending on the endorsement areas you choose, a dual-endorsement MEd can help prepare you for career paths such as:
- Special education teacher
- Gifted education teacher
- Twice-exceptional learner specialist
- Intervention specialist
- Gifted program coordinator
- Special education department lead
- Instructional coach
For many educators, the value of a dual-endorsement program is not only the additional credential — it’s the ability to connect two areas of expertise in ways that directly benefit students.Â
By earning multiple VDOE endorsements through Lynchburg’s MEd program, you can make your graduate education more efficient and purposeful.
Curriculum and Resources
2026-27 Academic Year Information
Master of Education in Special and Gifted Education: Twice-Exceptional (2e) Learners Curriculum
- Â EDCI 645: Twice-Exceptional Learners: Characteristics & Supports (3)
Special Education Curriculum
- SPED 600: Foundations and Legal Aspects of Special Education 1 (3)
- SPED 601: Designing and Implementing Individualized Education Programs (3)
- SPED 645: Instructional Strategies in Mathematics and Science (3)
- RDNG 625: Survey of Effective Reading Methods (3)
Choose 1:Â
- SPED 616: Assessment and Evaluation (3)*
- SPED 635: Transitioning to Adult Life for People w/ Disabilities (3)**Â
*Elementary (K – 6) Add-On
**Secondary (6 – 12) Add- On
Gifted Add-on Endorsement Curriculum
- EDCI 640: Introduction to and Identification of Gifted Learners (3)
- EDCI 641: Special Populations of Gifted Learners (3)
- EDCI 642: Curriculum, Strategies, and Programming for Gifted Learners (3)
- EDCI 643: Social and Emotional Development and Guidance of Gifted Learners (3)
Internship Options: (6 hours)
- SPED 696: Internship in Special Education – General Curriculum 2 (3)
- EDCI 644: Practicum in Gifted Education 3 (3)
Total Credit Hours: 30-36
Applying for the Master of Education in Special and Gifted Education: Twice-Exceptional (2e) Learners
Application Deadlines
- Summer semester: May 1
- Fall semester: July 31
- Spring term: Nov. 30
How to Apply
- Complete the online application.
- Submit an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended.
- Submit proof of active teaching license.Â
- Submit a brief (approximately two double-spaced pages) essay on the following topic:
- Why do you want to pursue the MEd in Special and Gifted Education: Twice-Exceptional (2e) Learners, and/or how will this degree assist you in achieving your career goals?
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
Master of Education in Special and Gifted Education: Twice Exceptional (2e) Learners (MEd) Faculty
Holly Gould, PhD
Department Chair for Curriculum & Instruction, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Instructional Design Technology Professor of Curriculum and Instruction ...
Lucinda (Cindi) Spaulding, PhD
Professor of Special Education, Director of Special Education ...
Mac Duis, EdD
Assistant Professor of Education, Director of the Master of Education in Pre-K-12 Administration and Supervision Program, Director of the Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies Program ...
Stefanie B. Copp, EdD
Department Chair of Elementary and Secondary Education, Reading Associate Professor of Education ...
Holly Gould, PhD
Department Chair for Curriculum & Instruction, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Instructional Design Technology Professor of Curriculum and Instruction ...
Lucinda (Cindi) Spaulding, PhD
Professor of Special Education, Director of Special Education ...
Mac Duis, EdD
Assistant Professor of Education, Director of the Master of Education in Pre-K-12 Administration and Supervision Program, Director of the Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies Program ...
Stefanie B. Copp, EdD
Department Chair of Elementary and Secondary Education, Reading Associate Professor of Education ...
Explore Related Programs
As a Lynchburg MEd student, you'll:
Develop skills for a critical and high-demand profession.
Become an expert through rigorous coursework and experienced, dedicated faculty.
Be prepared to make a lasting impact in education.
Graduate Tuition
Below is an overview of the cost of the program:
The 40% Aspiring Educator Discount applies to all emphasis areas and is available to all current and aspiring educators and paraprofessionals pursuing a Master of Education (MEd) degree.
Master of Education in Special and Gifted Education: Twice Exceptional (2e) Learners (MEd)
$
610
Cost Per Credit Hour (Before 40% Tuition Discount)
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Cost Per Credit Hour: $366 (With 40% Tuition Discount)
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Credit Hours: 30-36
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Estimated Cost of Completion: $18,300 - $21,960
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Estimated Cost of Completion: $10,980 - $13,176 (With 40% Tuition Discount)
Financial Aid
The cost figures provided are estimates and may vary based on factors such as the duration of your enrollment, specific classes taken, and any future changes to tuition or fees.
