Overview
Discover the Benefits of Our MSEd. in Educational Diagnostician with School Psychological Examiner Certification
Support your students better when you can analyze, assess and diagnose their unique needs to create effective learning plans. Through this diagnostician master’s program online, you will satisfy the requirements for Missouri’s psychological examiner designation without additional testing.
Equipped with the psychological examiner certificate, you can conduct formal evaluations to monitor student progress and integrate the corresponding data into comprehensive plans of action. Learn how to collaborate with schools and families to create multifaceted approaches for student success with tiered systems of support.
Developed based on feedback from an advisory board of teachers and administrators, this curriculum keeps you at the forefront of emerging educational diagnostic trends. Explore literacy-based assessments, theories of applied learning, theories of individual cognition and academic interventions.
All courses incorporate hands-on field experiences, so you can immediately apply your new expertise. You will also begin working with a mentor early in this dynamic online master’s program to create a richer learning experience.
Northwest Missouri State University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). This program has been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through June 30, 2027. Full accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to continue to do so.
Graduates of this diagnostician master’s program online will be able to:
- Evaluate and apply research methods appropriate for special education students
- Utilize assessments to diagnose students and design more effective educational learning plans
- Create quality educational experiences for special education students through diagnosis and engaging stakeholders to create a holistic educational plan
- Satisfy the program requirements for the Missouri Psychological Examiner designation (no test required)
Expand your career opportunities to include:
- Psychological Examiner
- Educational Diagnostician
- Academic Assessment Specialist
- Diagnostician
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Also available
Northwest offers a variety of specialized online education program options. Check out our other online education programs.
Tuition and Fees
Earn an Affordable Degree with Northwest Online
Our MSEd. in Educational Diagnostician with School Psychological Examiner Certification online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSEd. in Educational Diagnostician with School Psychological Examiner Certification | $350 | $1,050 | $10,500* |
Important Refund Information
| 2nd day of class | Last date for 100% refund for dropped course |
| 4th day of class | Last date for 75% refund for dropped course |
| 6th day of class | Last date for 50% refund for dropped course |
| 8th day of class | Last date for 25% refund for dropped course |
*Tuition and fees are subject to change. Current amounts are based on 2020-21 tuition rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition.
Northwest Missouri State University is ranked #1 among the "Best Online Colleges in Missouri" by SR Education Group (2019).
Calendar
Don’t Forget These Dates and Deadlines
Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 01/11/23 | 01/03/23 | 01/03/23 | 01/04/23 | 01/06/23 | 03/03/23 |
| Spring 2 | 03/13/23 | 02/24/23 | 03/01/23 | 03/07/23 | 03/08/23 | 04/28/23 |
| Summer 1 | 05/09/23 | 04/25/23 | 04/28/23 | 05/02/23 | 05/04/23 | 06/23/23 |
| Summer 2 | 06/26/23 | 06/09/23 | 06/14/23 | 06/16/23 | 06/21/23 | 08/11/23 |
| Fall 1 | 08/21/23 | 08/07/23 | 08/10/23 | 08/14/23 | 08/16/23 | 10/06/23 |
| Fall 2 | 10/16/23 | 10/02/23 | 10/05/23 | 10/09/23 | 10/11/23 | 12/01/23 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Northwest?
Admissions
Begin the Admission Process Today
At Northwest, we’ve streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the diagnostician master’s program online, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. The requirements include:
View all admission requirements
To apply for this program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 on the undergraduate transcript.
Applicants with a cumulative GPA between 2.5 and 2.75 may be admitted conditionally and will be required to earn a 3.0 GPA on six graduate-level credit hours in order to continue the program.
Program admission also requires documentation of ONE of the following:
- Current, valid state issued teaching certificate
- Successful completion of a teaching degree with at least a 2.75 GPA
- Successful completion of a human development degree with at least a 2.75 GPA
In addition, you must complete EDCI 62642 (Introduction to Teaching Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities) prior to beginning the degree program unless you:
- Hold a degree in special education OR
- Show a service record of teaching in special education for one complete academic year
Official transcript(s) can be emailed to: [email protected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Graduate Records SpecialistNorthwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001
Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.
Click here for State Authorization information.
Courses
Review Your Master’s Coursework
For the MSEd. in Educational Diagnostician with School Psychological Examiner Certification online, the curriculum is comprised of 10 courses (30 credit hours).
Students must choose from one of the following: EDUC 61641 or EDCI 62645.
EDUC 61641: Data Literacy and Assessment for Schools
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course will focus on the development of skills related to finding, evaluating, analyzing, prioritizing and integrating data sources for the improvement of student learning. Students will retrieve data, develop an action plan for improvement, and create a project demonstrating proficiency in data literacy. 21 hours field experience.
EDUC 61614: Introduction to Teaching
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is specifically designed for candidates for the Alternative Certification and Post Bac certification. Provides instruction in the psychology of teaching and in the psychological development of the child/adolescent. Also, offers basic instructional skills for differentiated learning and an opportunity to prepare and practice the instructional techniques to be utilized in the first teaching experience.
EDCI 62645: Theories and Techniques of Behavior Analysis and Intervention
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide teachers with both technical and functional understanding of applied behavior analysis, as well as strategies for the everyday applications of behavior management in classrooms and other educational settings. Evidence-based behavior intervention practices to assess, change, or modify behavior will be explored while exploring the concepts, assumptions, misconceptions, and historical foundations of behavior.
EDUC 61642: Multicultural Education for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Students who complete this course understand and demonstrate the capability to promote the success and well-being of each student by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary for equitable protocols for student support, equitable access in a least restrictive environment, responsive practices for culturally responsive teaching and leadership, and a supportive school culture that ensures each student and family is treated fairly.
EDCI 62635: Techniques for Conferencing and Collaboration
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Discussion of strategies designed to foster effective collaborative, conferencing and communication skills. These skills will enhance partnerships between families of students with exceptional needs, general and special education teachers, para educators, and other support personnel.
EDCI 62691: Advanced Educational Psychology for Educational Diagnosticians
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses the key concepts and ideas regarding educational psychology applicable to educational diagnostician related tasks through content acquisition and research application. Topics to be addressed include the following: neurological development, cognitive processes development, theories of human development (birth through life), giftedness, and creating effective learning environments through the use of research.
EDCI 62668: Academic Skills: Assessment for Intervention
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course examines best practices for using research and assessment to implement evidence- based interventions for students as part of a multi-tiered system of support or special education services. Instruction will include assessment of academic environments, curriculum-based measurement, diagnostic assessments, intervention planning, progress monitoring, and data-based decision making. Participants will learn about a variety of low-cost empirically validated interventions. There are field work requirements.
EDCI 62658: Applied Learning Theory
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Learning theories for students with exceptionalities as it pertains to cognitive, academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development will be explored. Field experiences involved in this course allow students to understand the application of this learning in an educational diagnostician context.
EDCI 62685: Test Theory and Developmental Assessment
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Analysis, scoring, and interpretation of standardized measures used for eligibility determination will be examined. Measurements will be reviewed in multicultural and cross-cultural contexts. Field experiences involved in this course allow students to understand the application of this learning in an educational diagnostician context.
EDCI 62678: Educational Diagnosis and Individual Cognitive Assessment
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Administration and interpretation of standardized assessments of cognitive and perceptual abilities for eligibility determination will be investigated. Field experiences involved in this course allow students to understand the application of this learning in an educational diagnostician context.
EDCI 62697: Capstone Project: Educational Diagnostics
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course provides candidates with an opportunity to apply what they have learned through the courses in this program to design and implement an evidence-based high-leverage intervention. The culminating projects for this course include a case study presentation as well as completion of a professional portfolio. There are extensive field work requirements.
Students may complete the online master's program and choose to apply for School Psychological Examiner (SPE) certification. For SPE certification, states may require additional conditions on top of the completion of the degree. It is the student's responsibility to learn the certification requirements for his/her state in which they desire to be certified for SPE. We strongly suggest you contact your particular state department for all the items they require for certification. For example, the state of Missouri requires a valid Missouri teaching certificate for SPE certification in Missouri.
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