Empowering Every Learner: Become Their Voice

Are you ready to turn your passion for education into a meaningful career? A master’s in special education with educational diagnostician certification at East Texas A&M University can prepare you to advocate for students with learning needs. Explore assessment methodologies and innovative intervention strategies to address individual challenges effectively.

Spring 2026 Graduate Flex Term.

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Tablet, high five and teacher with child education, learning and support, achievement and classroom goal. Mentor, black woman or person and girl in success hand sign for English, language development.

What Are My Job Opportunities?

A master’s in special education with educational diagnostician certification can prepare you for a number of different careers in special education, enabling you to make a meaningful impact on students’ lives.

Careers and Salaries

Special Education Teacher
$ 65,910
Educational Diagnostician
$ 68,000

Current Median Salaries from US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023

Program Details

Our program blends theory with practical application, providing a comprehensive curriculum. Develop vital skills through hands-on experiences assessing a wide range of learners.

What Might I Learn?

You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of key areas.

Assessment Mastery

Develop expertise in evaluating student learning needs through a variety of assessment tools and techniques.

Innovative Intervention Strategies

Explore cutting-edge methods for creating effective interventions tailored to various learning styles.

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

Master the development and implementation of IEPs that meet the unique needs of each student.

Cultural Competence

Cultivate the ability to work effectively with a range of populations, respecting cultural differences and promoting a welcoming learning environment.

Curriculum

Our program offers two tracks designed to meet your research interests and career goals. Both tracks are offered as a Master of Science degree.

Thesis Track

Pique your interest in special education diagnostic work. Earn your master's degree while researching a targeted topic as you prepare for your career as an educational diagnostician. Our 42-hour thesis track takes you deep into current research and the practical tools you need as an educational diagnostician.

Non-Thesis Track

If you're ready for a career change and interested in being an educator but don't have a teaching certificate, we're here to help! Our 39-hour non-thesis track can prepare you to design prevention and intervention strategies to help educators work with exceptional learners. The non-thesis track comprises 36 semester hours of coursework and 3 semester hours in a practicum.

Taking Classes

Our flexible Master of Education in Special Education with Educational Diagnostician Certification is designed to meet the needs of current educators and working professionals.

Online and Face-to-face

With a focus on flexibility and convenience, this program allows you to earn your degree without sacrificing your job or personal commitments. Engage with innovative coursework and practical applications through classes offered asynchronously online, or face-to-face at the Mesquite Metroplex Center, Navarro and our main campus location in Commerce.

Note: Our program requires two classes with face-to-face and Zoom-synchronous components.

For an up to date list of course offerings, locations and times, please check the schedule of classes, which is subject to change.

Female student presenting in front of class at a white board with female teach watching.

Assistive Technology Lab

As a collaboration among the Department of Psychology and Special Education, the Center for Information Technology Excellence, and Velma K. Waters Library, this unique facility features multiple examples of assistive technology specifically designed to empower individuals with disabilities and educate future teachers.

Finding My Community

We believe that education thrives in an environment where collaboration, support and mutual respect flourish. Our community of students and professors embodies these values, creating an enriching and dynamic atmosphere for learning and growth. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Our professors are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors who are committed to guiding and nurturing the next generation of scholars.

Dr. Jones in her assistive technology room teaching students.

Beth Jones, Ph.D.

Faculty
East Texas A&M has afforded me the opportunity to explore my passion of meeting the needs of student…
Dr. Carrero in mexico with a group of students.

Kelly M. Carrero, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA-TX

Faculty
Our student body, faculty and administration are comprised of people from many racial, cultural, soc…
A woman smiling

Belinda Rudinger, Ed.D., ATP, CATIS

Faculty
Even your hardest day in special education is filled with meaning. Driving home each day, you know t…

Anabel V. Meyer Ph.D., LP, LSSP, LBA, NCSP, BCBA

Alum Faculty

Student Organizations

Our campus has many ways to engage and get involved.

As a master’s student, you have access to student organizations that strive to offer opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange and project collaboration.

Two students in graduation cap and gown smile holding their diploma

Financing My Future

Financial Aid

Financial aid includes a variety of programs, like scholarships, federal and state grants, and federal and state work-study programs. Find out how you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and/or a graduate assistantship. Financial Aid and Scholarships

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On-Campus Employment Opportunities

Enhance your expertise through on-campus employment opportunities.

Graduate Assistant/Research/Teaching

Graduate assistant teaching (GAT), graduate assistant research (GAR), and graduate assistant non-teaching (GANT) assistantships at East Texas A&M offer financial support and professional development for graduate students. Assistantships are available in academic and non-academic departments.

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Cost Before Financial Aid

East Texas A&M is one of the most affordable colleges around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our tuition rates are some of the most competitive in Texas.

for Texas residents

/

For non-residents

Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents. But don’t worry: there are

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TUITION AND FEES
0
Per Semester

Additional Fees May Apply

  • Online Courses ($50 per hour)
  • Remote Locations ($20 per hour)
  • Lab Fees ($5 – $30 per course)

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How Do I Get Started?

If you have not already done so, complete the Request Information form. You will be connected with your enrollment specialist, who can answer your questions. When you’re ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to apply.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission, you must first meet the following criteria.

  • GPA minimum 3.25
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

Admission Process

Note: This program is not currently available to international students. If you are an H1B or H4 applicant, please contact the Graduate School for details.

Submit Application

  • Create an account or login if you already have one
  • Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
  • Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
  • Choose the semester you wish to begin
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  • Select “Special Education, MS or Special Education, MED” as your “Program.”
  • Pay the $50 application fee.

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • Within two business days of your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
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Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.

Your Graduate Coordinator

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Domestic Transcripts

Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your Graduate Student Services Coordinator. We accept transcripts officially via email (directly from the institution), through Parchment, and any other official transcript providing agency. If your university does not offer an electronic transcript service, you may request them to be sent via regular mail to:

East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School

2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428

If your degree is from East Texas A&M University, you do not have to order a transcript.
We will access your transcript.

If we already have your transcript, we will reuse it for a new application as long as it is still on file.

International transcripts

WES ICAP evaluations will be required for certain countries; those are listed below:

  • Transcripts/Degrees from universities in Nigeria
  • Transcripts/Degrees from universities in China that do not come from CSSD (formerly CHESICC)
  • Any country where the official transcript is not in English

For all other countries, an evaluation is not initially required. Original official transcripts are required for admission consideration.
Please know that upon receipt of your official transcript, the Graduate School reserves the right to require an external evaluation at that time.

Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428

We will need official/original documents.

If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.

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If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:

East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011

We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.

Provide three references from professionals who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program.

Submit a statement of educational and professional goals of 500 words or less on the following prompt:

  • Discuss your educational and professional goals and how you believe this graduate degree will help you achieve them.

Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.

You do not need to submit GRE scores if you have:

  • a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 3.25 GPA overall or higher
  • a completed master’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 3.25 GPA overall or higher

If you do not meet the GPA exemption criteria, request that your GRE® scores be sent to East Texas A&M University (6188) when you register for the test. If you have already taken the GRE®, you can order additional score reports.

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.

Once your application to the Graduate School is complete, you can submit your Educational Diagnostician Certification Program Application right away using TK20. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

You will need to have the following documents ready for upload in order to submit the application:

  • Certification fee receipt
  • TEA Assessment fee receipt
  • Teaching service record
    • A minimum of zero years of experience is required for admission to the master's degree-seeking path for educational diagnostician. If you do not have a completed year of service yet, please submit a letter of explanation in TK20 in place of your service record. The application will not submit if this required attachment is missing.
  • Standard Texas Teaching Certificate
    • Note: Candidates on emergency permits, intern or probationary certificates will not be admitted.
  • Official transcripts from the Graduate Office will be reviewed by the certification office.
    • Official transcripts from all institutions must be submitted to the Graduate School in order to satisfy TEA certification admission requirements.
    • A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a conferred master's degree or a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a conferred bachelor's degree is required for certification admission. Please note that certification admission requirements may differ from those of the Graduate School and are separate requirements.
If applicable:
  • TEA Transfers
    • If you have previously been admitted to another educator preparation program for educational diagnostician certification.
    • Request that a completed TEA transfer form be sent from your previous program to [email protected].
  • Transcripts from outside the United States
    • Contact [email protected] for any questions about TEA requirements for transcripts from outside the United States.
    • If your official transcripts are from institutions outside the United States and the country of origin is not exempt by TEA, send the following documentation to [email protected]:
      • A course-by-course evaluation from a TEA-approved Foreign Credential Evaluation Service
      • Minimum scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT). Please note that TOEFL scores are only valid for a period of two years. Required minimum score ranges are 20-24 for Speaking, 17-21 for Listening, 18-23 for Reading and 17-23 for Writing.
        • A valid standard Texas educator certificate will be accepted in lieu of TOEFL iBT scores.

  • Go to tamuc.tk20.com
  • Scroll down and click “Admissions”
  • Select “Click here to create your account.”
  • Complete the “Create Applicant Account” form.
  • Note: You will be creating a password for this account.
  • Store the password you create in a secure location so you can refer to it later.
  • After completing the “Create Applicant Account” form, TK20 will provide your username.
  • Store your TK20 username and password in a secure location so you can refer to them later.
    • You will use the username to log in to review your admission application once submitted.

  • Log into your TK20 account
    • Click on the “back to login” link.
    • Enter your username and password.
    • Click the green “Log Into Your Account” button.
  • Click on the “Create New Application” button.
  • Select “Educational Diagnostician” application
  • Click the “Next” button.
  • Complete the application.

  • Upload documents by clicking on the “+ Select File(s)” button for the item you are uploading.
  • Once you have completed all fields in the application, click the “Submit” button.
  • Look for an email from TK20 confirming your submission.

To check your application status:

  1. Log in to your TK20 Student Admissions account
  2. On the “Home” tab, locate your application under “Recent Messages”
  3. Click on the application.
  4. If you are admitted, the message will indicate your application was “Admitted”
  5. If you lack admission requirements, the message will indicate “Denied.”
    • Click on “Review Document” to view your deficiencies and reason(s) for denial.

Once both the Graduate School and Certification Program Applications are complete, the Educational Diagnostician Program Director will reach out to schedule an interview. Interview days are typically scheduled on a monthly basis.

Once accepted, please sign and return the “letter of invitation.”

  • Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
  • Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
  • Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist is here to help you complete registration.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist

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Contact the Department

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