SKIP TO PAGE CONTENT

Educational Diagnostician Standard Professional Certificate

The Educational Diagnostician Program at West Texas A&M University has been designed to emphasize the professional standards for Diagnostic Specialists recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children with an emphasis on assessment, research-based practices, and interventions. All classes are online and easily accessible to students across the United States.

 

Quality | Affordability | Convenience
Convenient Course Delivery

The Educational Diagnostician Standard Professional Certificate 36-hour degree program is 100% online

Multiple Start Terms: Choose to begin classes in the fall, spring, or summer

Flexibility: Take classes either full-time or part-time

Program Objectives
Mission
Supporting Effective & Transformative Leaders
kids-biology-lab-learning

Program Admission Requirements

In order to be admitted to the program, a candidate must:

  • Meet University Graduate School admission requirements;
  • Have a 2.75 undergraduate grade point average;
  • Complete a formal application and 3 short answer essay questions;
  • Hold a valid teaching certificate;
  • Provide current records of teaching service;
  • Provide a current resume;
  • Obtain 2 professional letters of recommendation to the program;
  • Secure an educational diagnostician mentor prior to enrolling in assessment courses.

Admissions Deadlines 

Spring 2024 December 1, 2023
Summer 2024 May 1, 2024
Fall 2024 August 1, 2024

Apply to the Graduate School

Submit Program Specific Requirements

Degree Information

36 Hours, plus leveling courses, if applicable.

Leveling Courses (3 Hours)  

The following 3 hours of leveling courses are required for students who do not have an undergraduate special education background or whose special education course work (with a minimum of 3.0 GPA) was not taken within 6 years of admission to the diagnostician program: 

  • EDSP 6341- Assessment, Intervention & Differentiation 3 
Required Education Graduate Core Courses (9 Hours)  
Required Diagnostician Courses (27 Hours)  
Additional Information  
Field experiences, clinical teaching, practicums, and internships required for Texas Certification must be completed in a school accredited by the Texas Education Agency and approved by WTAMU. A non-certification option that does not require field experiences, clinical teaching, practicums, and internships in Texas is available for students whose residency is outside the state of Texas.

Texas Education Agency (TEA) Requirements

English Language Proficiency  

An applicant for certification in Texas must be able to communicate, listen, read, write, and comprehend the English language sufficiently to use it easily and readily in daily communication and teaching. English language proficiency shall be evidenced by one of the following:  

(A) completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States; or  

(B) verification of minimum scaled scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL IBT) of 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading, and 21 for writing; (TOEFL scores must not be older than 2 years from date of application) or  

(C) completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States listed in TAC 230.11  

For more information, please consult WTAMU’s university policy on language proficiency.

Criminal History Information   
Transfer Credits  
Record of Teaching Service  
Master’s Comprehensive Examination  

Graduation

All candidates must apply for graduation by the posted graduation deadlines. Upon successful completion of all program coursework and passing the master’s comprehensive exam, the candidate will be eligible for graduation.

Contacts

Dr. Michelle L. Simmons
Associate Professor of Education

Department of Education
msimmons@wtamu.edu