Master of Science in Special Education with a Specialization in Education Diagnostics Online

This program provides special education professionals with the in-depth knowledge, hands-on field experiences and attentive faculty support to help prepare you for the TExES examination for Educational Diagnostician Certification.

Apply by: 8/11/25
Start class: 8/25/25 Apply Now

Program Overview

How our online M.S. in Special Education with a Specialization in Education Diagnostics can suit your goals

Earn an online M.S. in Special Education with a Specialization in Education Diagnostics from TAMIU to help students with special education needs achieve their full academic potential with individualized support. Upgrade your special educational credentials for a broad range of leadership roles, including special education director and educational diagnostician.

This M.S. in Special Education online combines broad-based special education expertise—such as state and federal policies, classroom management for exceptional children and evidence-based instructional strategies—with focused education diagnostician coursework. Our education diagnostician curriculum is directly aligned with the objectives of the TExES 253 exam, so you will learn to assess students for learning and behavioral disabilities, provide appropriate diagnoses and implement tailored interventions. You will also complete hands-on field experiences and the state-mandated Youth Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Youth Suicide and Dyslexia Trainings.

At TAMIU, our distinguished faculty offers the one-on-one guidance necessary to confidently prepare you for the TExES examination for Educational Diagnostician Certification.

**This program is eligible for the TEACH Grant.

Graduates of this M.S. in Special Education online program will be able to:

  • Use assessment to make educational decisions for individuals with exceptionalities
  • Integrate scholarly inquiry to select evidence-based strategies to meet the needs of individuals with exceptionalities
  • Demonstrate leadership skills by advocating individuals with exceptionalities
Graduates of this M.S. in Special Education online program will be able to:+
  • Use assessment to make educational decisions for individuals with exceptionalities
  • Integrate scholarly inquiry to select evidence-based strategies to meet the needs of individuals with exceptionalities
  • Demonstrate leadership skills by advocating individuals with exceptionalities
+
+

Also available:

Texas A&M International University offers a variety of in-demand online education programs. Explore all of our online education programs.

Total Tuition $12,111*
Duration 12 months
Credit Hours 33

Accreditation

The State of Texas Education Agency

The Texas A&M International University College of Education is accredited by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification.

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Need More Information?

Call 844-872-8712

Call 844-872-8712

Tuition

Invest in your future with this online educational diagnostician master’s program

Tuition for the M.S. in Special Education with a Specialization in Education Diagnostics online program is affordable and can be paid by the course. All fees are included.

View additional tuition information+

In-State Tuition:

The following tuition applies only to Texas residents.

Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program*
M.S. in Special Education – Education Diagnostics $367 $ $12,111

Out-of-State Tuition:

Program Per Credit Hour Per Program*
M.S. in Special Education – Education Diagnostics $1,030 $33,990

*Tuition subject to change.

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $12,111*
Per Credit Hour $367

Calendar

Stay on track with our convenient course schedule

The M.S. in Special Education with a Specialization in Education Diagnostics online program is delivered online, featuring 7-week courses and six start dates each year. Choose the start date that is best for you.

Graduate Programs Degree Program

View full calendar  + 

SessionProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Summer I5/19/255/5/255/12/255/16/257/5/25
Summer II7/7/256/23/256/30/257/7/258/22/25
Fall I8/25/258/11/258/18/258/22/2510/10/25
Fall II10/20/2510/3/2510/15/2510/17/2512/9/25
Spring I1/20/261/2/261/15/261/16/263/7/26

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 8/11/25
Class Starts 8/25/25

Ready to take the next steps toward earning your next degree?

Apply Now

Admissions

Check our online admission requirements

Applying for the online special education with a specialization in educational diagnostician master’s program is a simple process. Learn more about the admission requirements below.

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree
  • Minimum 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours
View all admission requirements +

  • Official transcripts documenting an earned Bachelor or Master degree from a Regionally Accredited University
  • Code of Ethics
  • FERPA Consent
  • Service Record - minimum of 3 years experience
  • Texas Educator Certificate
  • COED Application

All students must maintain a 3.0 to remain in the Graduate program

Official transcripts from all institutions attended can be sent to:

Texas A&M International University
Graduate School
Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, Suite 223
5201 University Boulevard
Laredo, TX 78041
OR
Electronically to GraduateSchool@tamiu.edu

Former TAMIU students do not need to submit TAMIU transcripts.

For documents other than transcripts, please upload to your application portal located here. If transcripts are uploaded to the portal, you will be asked to resend all official transcripts by mail or email and will delay the application process.

Have a question? Call us at 844-872-8712.

Courses

Take a closer look at this online master's in special education diagnostician courses

Curriculum for the M.S. in Special Education with a Specialization in Education Diagnostics online program is comprised of 11 courses (33 credit hours). Students are required to take seven core courses and four specialization courses.

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is an introductory level course for candidates seeking a MS in Special Education. Course content includes an overview of special education eligibility categories and evidence-based practices for students with disabilities. This content addresses the Texas Special Education Teaching Standards and the Council for Exceptional Children Common Core Standards. Course activities include lectures, case studies, and the evaluation of evidence-based practices. Prerequisites: Graduate standing. Fixed 1st Course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is an intermediate level course for candidates seeking a MS in Special Education. Course content includes the history of special education law, provisions of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act, Every Student Succeeds Act, legal trends and issues in special education, and special education professional ethical principles and practice standards guided by the Council for Exceptional Children Common Core Standards. Course activities include lectures, case analysis, and special education legal case briefs. Prerequisites: Graduate standing
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is an introductory level course for candidates seeking a MS in Special Education. Course content includes the unique culture of disability across the lifespan and the impact of disabilities on an individual across the lifespan. In addition, this course examines characteristics of children and youth with major biological risk conditions and disabilities with a focus on the impact of these conditions on development over time. Course activities include lectures, group discussions and assignments, demonstrating the complexity of development with a disability.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is an intermediate level course for candidates seeking a MS in Special Education. Course content includes descriptive statistics, psychometric properties of a test reliability and validity, interpretation of test scores, norms, scales, and grades, and some of the current controversies in testing. Additional topics such as data management, progress monitoring, test accommodations and modifications, and cultural and linguistic considerations are covered. Focus of attention is on the use of assessment information for making educational decisions. Course activities include lectures, interpretation of scores, and case analysis.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is an intermediate level course for candidates seeking a MS in Special Education. Course content includes the major concepts and techniques of effective classroom and Applied Behavior Analysis for children and youth with disabilities experiencing academic and/or behavioral difficulties. Course activities include lectures, group discussions and assignments concerning effective classroom management, as well as behavior plan development for students with disabilities.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed to effectively collaborate and consult with families, school personnel and community members in educational settings. Other topics include team membership, co-teaching, supervision of paraprofessionals, partnerships with families and development of interagency agreements to address the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This is an advanced level course for candidates seeking a MS in Special Education. This course examines the historical, relevant, and timely topics of concern to educators involved in making decisions regarding special education. This content addresses the Texas Special Education Teaching Standards and the Council for Exceptional Children Common Core Standards. Course activities include lectures, debates, and the evaluation of issues and trends in the field of special education. This course may be repeated once when topic changes.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Each student will experience performance-based training in the administration, scoring and interpretation of the basic, individually administered academic achievement assessment procedures currently in use in the public schools, such as the Wide Range Achievement Test, Woodcock-Johnson Achievement Tests, Key Math, Peabody Individual Achievement Test, and other selected achievement tests when appropriate. May be taken concurrently with EDSE 5320. Candidates enrolled in this course will complete Youth Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Youth Suicide, and Dyslexia Trainings as required by 19 Texas Administrative Code Section 228.30(c)(2) and (3). Prerequisites: EDSE 5305, EDSE 5320, and admission in the Educational Diagnostician Program.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course includes performance-based training in major individual intelligence or ability tests, that is the Stanford-Binet, Wechsler scales, and other selected individual intelligence scales. Each student will master the administrative techniques for each test, administer each test to a specific number of students, score, and interpret the results. Bilingual students will also master the Spanish versions when appropriate. May be taken concurrently with EDSE 5320. Candidates enrolled in this course will complete Youth Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Youth Suicide and Dyslexia Training as required by 19 Texas Administrative Code Section 228.30(c)(2) and (3). Prerequisites: EDSE 5305, EDSE 5320, and admission in the Educational Diagnostician Program.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course requires the satisfactory completion of a 160 clock hour practicum experience under the direction of a practicing educational diagnostician and supervision by a University professor. Participants will work in the field of diagnostics with the administration, scoring and interpreting test instruments and procedures. The practicum student will also be expected to complete a site-based project designed in cooperation with the diagnostician mentor and university supervisor. Prerequisites: Completion of at least 27 hours of the required coursework for the master's program. Fixed last course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide the student with an overview of diagnostic assessment instruments to identify students with disabilities. The course will also address assessment instruments for designing individualized interventions as well as general trends and issues in the field. Candidates enrolled in this course will complete the Educational Diagnostician Texas Examination of Educator Standards.

**The maximum grant amount can vary by year. TEACH Grants are available to qualified applicants who enroll in a TEACH Grant eligible program and require approved recipients to sign a service agreement for certain teaching service obligations. If you do not meet the requirements of your service obligation, the grant will turn into a loan that must be repaid, with interest. For more information, please visit: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/teach#eligibility or contact the Texas A&M International University Financial Aid Office.

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