Special Education at Lamar University
It is the goal of the Master of Education program to provide teachers at the graduate level with the tools needed to support exceptional learners’ educational needs in K-12 schools. The Special Education master’s degree program is 36-credit hours, non-thesis degree program. This degree is for teachers who want to specialize in Special Education in the K-12 setting. The program equips candidates to be successful leaders in the classroom working with diverse populations
M. Ed. in Special Education (Educational Diagnostician)
This 36-credit hour degree program offers advanced coursework at the graduate level in the area of special education which includes coursework needed for certification as an Educational Diagnostician. This degree program provides graduate learners with the foundational knowledge in the field of special education and the content, knowledge, and skills they need to identify and place K-12 learners in special education services. Upon completion of this program, graduates are eligible to take the Educational Diagnostician certification exam. The program can be completed in 21 months with continuous enrollment.
Students seeking certification as an Educational Diagnostician who are enrolled in either the M.Ed. Special Education-Educational Diagnostician or Certification as Educational Diagnostician program, will need to make arrangements with respect to access to test kits for the following assessment instruments (Woodcock Johnson- Achievement, Woodcock Johnson- Cognitive, WISC) AND retain a certified Educational Diagnostician from within their school and/or district who will supervise their use of such instruments. Lamar University, the College of Education and Human Development, and the Special Education program do not provide such test kits or make arrangements for site mentors.
Your Responsibilities:
As certification requirements may change without notice, it is the responsibility of the candidate to:
- Confirm the requirements for certification in their home state
- Evaluate and understand state requirements related to online education, and out-of-state educational programs requirements
- Find out if any additional coursework, practice, and/or testing requirements must be met in order to be eligible for certification.
Careers Relating to Special Education
Educational Diagnosticians are highly-prepared professionals who work in schools, co-ops, and private practices. Their work is to provide diagnostic information about students for success in the classroom. They work closely with the Special Education Program and provide leadership in RTI. Texas, New Mexico, and Louisiana are the only states that offer the educational diagnostician certification area. In the remaining states, the educational diagnostician is referred to as a school psychologist.
Learn more about the Special Education profession, occupational outlook, and median salary.
Educational Diagnostician Workforce Opportunities
It is important to us that our candidates are highly prepared with skills and knowledge for the ever-changing workforce. For additional information relating to jobs as an Educational Diagnostician in Texas, please see the Texas Workforce Commission website. For specific job opportunities, see the WORKinTEXAS website.
Workforce Supply and Demand for Educational Diagnosticians in Texas
Criminal Background Check
Candidates for Teacher Preparation undergo a criminal background check as part of admissions to the program. According to TEA,
Educator preparation programs (EPPs) shall inform all applicants that:
(1) pursuant to the Texas Education Code (TEC), §22.083, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator; and
(2) pursuant to the TEC, §22.0835, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching.
If convicted of an offense, the candidate will receive an email of the potential ineligibility. Candidates have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter. The criminal background check is conducted at the time of admissions and prior to clinical teaching. Learn more information about the preliminary criminal history evaluation.
