Program Overview

Educational Diagnostician, Graduate Certificate

The Educational Diagnostician certification program can be taken concurrently with the MS Special Education degree program or alone by a certified teacher who has a previously earned graduate degree. This coursework prepares students to assess, diagnose, and support instructional planning for students referred to special education.

Program Description

The program focuses on preparing students to:

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to determine assessment needs, gather data, incorporate appropriate teaching methods, and make recommendations for individual education programs.
• Select, administer, and interpret formal and informal assessments and evaluations.
• Prepare comprehensive assessment reports.
• Demonstrate understanding of compliance regarding federal and state laws, rules, and regulations that impact exceptional students.

Admission Requirements

To be certified as an Educational Diagnostician, the student must:

• Hold a master's degree.
• Have a service record indicating three years of teaching experience.
• Successfully complete 25-28 semester credit hours of coursework as specified.
• Pass the required TExES exam.

Program Requirements

The program requires the completion of the following courses:

• Curriculum and Instruction:
  • SPED 5385: Emergent Bilinguals and Special Education (3 hours)
  • SPED 5386: Strategic Reading and Language Instruction for Students with High-Incidence Disabilities (3 hours)
  • SPED 5387: Strategic Math and Content Area Instruction for Students with High-Incidence Disabilities (3 hours)
• Related Area:
  • CNEP 5371: Psychometrics (3 hours)
  • SPED 5305: Individual Intelligence Testing (3 hours)
• Specialization Area:
  • SPED 5320: Application of Learning Principles (2-3 hours)
  • SPED 5380: Behavioral Supports and Interventions for Students with Disabilities (3 hours)
  • SPED 5311: Advanced Assessment (3 hours)
  • SPED 5399: Individualized Programs for Students with Exceptionalities: Practicum (1-3 hours)

Courses

The program includes a range of courses that provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work with students with exceptionalities. These courses include:

• SPED 5305: Individual Intelligence Testing
• SPED 5310: Psychoeducational Testing
• SPED 5311: Advanced Assessment
• SPED 5315: Individuals with Exceptionalities in Schools
• SPED 5319: Introduction to Low-Incidence Disabilities
• SPED 5320: Application of Learning Principles
• SPED 5321: Supporting Access for Students with Low-Incidence Disabilities
• SPED 5380: Behavioral Supports and Interventions for Students with Disabilities
• SPED 5385: Emergent Bilinguals and Special Education
• SPED 5386: Strategic Reading and Language Instruction for Students with High-Incidence Disabilities
• SPED 5387: Strategic Math and Content Area Instruction for Students with High-Incidence Disabilities
• SPED 5390: Professional Seminar
• SPED 5397: Special Education Field Experience
• SPED 5399: Individualized Programs for Students with Exceptionalities: Practicum
• SPED 5696: Directed Individual Study
• SPED 6315: Individuals with Exceptionalities in the Schools
• SPED 6319: Introduction to Low-Incidence Disabilities
• SPED 6320: Applications of Learning Principles
• SPED 6321: Supporting Access for Students with Low-Incidence Disabilities
• SPED 6380: Behavior Intervention and Support for Students with Disabilities
• SPED 6385: Emergent Bilinguals and Special Education
• SPED 6386: Strategic Reading and Language Instruction for Students with High-Incidence Disabilities
• SPED 6387: Strategic Math and Content Area Instruction for Students with High-Incidence Disabilities
• SPED 6390: Special Topics in Special Education