
Special Education (MED)
with Educational Diagnostician Certification
Learn to identify and assess the unique needs of students using data-driven approaches to create personalized support plans that foster academic and emotional success.
- Offered Face-to-Face in Commerce, Mesquite and Navarro.
- 5-7 semesters
- 39-42
- Thesis and non-thesis options available
- No foreign language credits required
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.

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
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.

Adding Value with Certificates
Boost your experience. Earning a graduate certificate can help you gain valuable skills to excel in your career and better serve your community.
Chemical Dependency Counseling Graduate Certificate
This certificate will prepare you with the necessary theories, assessments and modalities to counsel, prepare, and implement treatment plans for substance abuse clients, their families and co-workers.
Higher Education Student Affairs Graduate Certificate
This certificate prepares you to work in higher educational institutions with an emphasis on students. When you complete the certificate, careers related to student affairs will be the right place for you.
Psychology of Gerontology and Positive Aging Graduate Certificate
This certificate will enhance skills for persons working with older adults in business, medical or social settings. You will have a better understanding of physical, psychological and developmental impacts of aging and an enhanced understanding of ethical principles of dealing with potentially vulnerable population.
Educational Diagnostician Professional Certification

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.
Beth Jones, Ph.D.
Faculty
Kelly M. Carrero, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA-TX
Faculty
Belinda Rudinger, Ed.D., ATP, CATIS
Faculty
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.
I’m Looking For Something Different
Is this program close, but still not right for you? Check out our related degrees!

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
Back to menuOn-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.
Back to menuCost 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.
$3,669
for Texas residents
/
$7,341
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
Back to menuAdditional Fees May Apply
- Online Courses ($50 per hour)
- Remote Locations ($20 per hour)
- Lab Fees ($5 – $30 per course)
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.
- 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
- 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.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Your Graduate Coordinator
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.
Back to menuIf 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.
- Complete the reference list form, then utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
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].
- Go to the Educator Certification page on MarketPlace
- Click Educator Professional Fee
- Click the shopping cart plus icon
- Fill in your personal information to be associated with the fee and click “Continue”
- Go back to the Educator Certification page on MarketPlace
- Click TEA Assessment Fee
- Click the shopping cart plus icon
- Complete your payment
- Download and save your receipts to upload to TK20
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:
- Log in to your TK20 Student Admissions account
- On the “Home” tab, locate your application under “Recent Messages”
- Click on the application.
- If you are admitted, the message will indicate your application was “Admitted”
- 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.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- View the Schedule of Classes.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
I Still Have Questions
We are here to help! Send us an email. We can answer your questions and assist you in the application process.
Contact the Department
- Psychology and Special Education
- 903.886.5631
- [email protected]
Careers