Master of Education in Educational Diagnostician

Graduate students have the opportunity to get practical experience doing charitable testing and work for advocacy groups while at Houston Christian University. Graduate students are provided with standardized assessments through the University. In addition to learning the statistical design of the tests, students are taught administration and interpretation of the instruments. Emphasis is also placed on computer scoring and computer literacy in writing reports and developing documents.

Course Requirements

Additional Requirements

In order to enter this program, graduate students need to either be a certified teacher or be working on their teacher certification. Upon successful completion of this 36-hour program, which includes comprehensive exams, students will have earned a master’s degree.

They must meet the following requirements before applying for certification:

• Submit a service record documenting three years of full-time teaching in an accredited private or public school
• Successfully complete the required state certification exam (TExES)

Graduate students are required to complete an internship within the public schools. During this internship, potential educational diagnosticians design appropriate test batteries, complete psycho-educational assessments, and write Individual Assessment Reports. In addition, interns summarize and present clinical findings at the Admission, Review, and Dismissal committee meetings and assist in the development of Individual Education Plans.

The Texas Education Agency requires that potential diagnosticians document a minimum of two years of teaching experience to be eligible for this professional certification.

Review degree plan

Master of Education in Educational Diagnostician students acquire the following student learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of federal/ state requirements for the identification and assessment of students to determine eligibility for special education services.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge and skills related to evidence-based instruction and intervention and the role of evaluation and planning in developing appropriate educational programs for students.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of approaches for effective consultation and collaboration with other professionals and families in order to meet the needs of students.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of professional practices, roles, responsibilities, and legal and ethical foundations of evaluation related to special education.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge relative to the analysis of evaluation data for the purpose of determining student eligibility for special education and making evidence-based recommendations.

The following examples represent professional settings in which graduates with a Master in Education in Educational Diagnostician may be hired:

• Public or private EC-21 Educational Settings
• Educational and Social Service Agencies
• Residential Facilities
• Healthcare, Clinic, and Therapeutic Settings
• Private Practice

The primary career pathway for students who graduate from this program is an Educational Diagnostician. However, this program can also help prepare individuals to pursue a role as a Special Education Coordinator/Supervisor or other leadership role in Special Education within a school system.