Educational Diagnostician Certification
The Educational Diagnostician Certification program is designed for individuals seeking to improve their professional skills in special education. It also builds knowledge and extends their assessment skills. The coursework provides candidates with the academic foundations and practical applications for certification as an Educational Diagnostician. The certification program has a total of five (5) courses. The description of the five (5) courses is as follows: one (1) online lecture-asynchronous course, two (2) practicum courses with online synchronous live lectures, and two (2) assessment courses that require four Saturdays of face-to-face hybrid lecture participation throughout the semester, along with weekly hybrid synchronous online lectures.
To be eligible to receive the standard Educational Diagnostician Certificate, a candidate must:
- Successfully complete an educational diagnostician preparation program that meets the requirements of TAC §239.82 (complete all the requirements on the SHSU Course Plan) and TAC §239.83.
- Successfully complete the examination based on the standards identified in TAC §239.83.
- Hold, at a minimum, a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education that, at the time, was accredited or otherwise approved by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
- Hold a valid classroom teaching certificate.
- Have three creditable years of teaching experience as a classroom teacher (1 year of service may be earned while enrolled in the program)
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
Applicants seeking admission for the Educational Diagnostician Certification must submit the following directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:
- Graduate Application
- Application fee
- Pay the $35 Texas Education Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs Fee (paid to the TEA as required by TAC 229.9.7)
- Official transcripts for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
- Minimum GPA of a 3.0, either overall or in the last 60 credit hours
- Two Recommendation Forms
- Copy of applicant's Teaching Certificate
- Teacher Service Record with at least 2 years of creditable service as a teacher of record
- Interview video
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Diagnostician Certification | ||
| Specified Courses | ||
| SPED 5301 | Education of Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 5302 | Assessment in Special Education | 3 |
| or SPED 6322 | Bilingual Special Education Assessment | |
| SPED 5305 | Individual Assessment of Cognitive Functioning | 3 |
| or SPED 6319 | Bilingual Cognitive Assessment | |
| SPED 6308 | Practicum 1 | 3 |
| SPED 6312 | Practicum 2 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers. Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.
The Educational Diagnostician Certificate is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Interpreting evaluation results to parents and stakeholders
- Assessment practices
- Diagnoses skills and learning ability
- Reporting and data analysis
