If you are dedicated to helping students with special needs and hold a bachelor’s degree, you may consider a post-graduate certification in moderate and severe disabilities (MSD). This degree equips teachers with special education training to better identify and meet their disabled students’ needs.
Throughout your training as a specialist in moderate and severe disabilities, you will gain the skills needed to become competent at meeting the diverse needs of students in various settings such as a self-contained classroom, general education, special school, or in other alternate environments.
Choosing an area of specialization such as a master’s in MSD will prepare you for a fulfilling job in the special education field. Special education teachers are in short supply, so choosing a career in this field can likely secure you a job.
What Disabilities Qualify as Moderate and Severe?
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) breaks down disabilities into 14 specific categories: autism, deaf-blindness, deafness, emotional disturbance, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, visual, and developmental delay. Within each category, disabilities can range from mild to severe.
Moderate or medium incidence disabilities can include autism, developmental delay, intellectual disabilities, or emotional disturbances. Severe or high incidence disabilities can consist of specific learning disabilities, speech or language impairment, or other health impairments that may result in limited strength, vitality, and limited alertness to the surrounding environment.
How do They Differ from Other Disabilities in Special Education?
Students with moderate and severe disabilities are often in special programs within the school. According to Arkansas State University, students with a disability that hinders them from being around others unaccompanied by an adult would fall into the severe disability range. In contrast, students with mild disabilities, like struggling in reading, math or who have a mild speech or hearing impairment, can generally function in an education setting.
Students with severe disabilities often receive services from a range of professionals (physical therapist, occupational therapist, behavioral specialist). Schools are required by law to provide these services for free to meet the needs of students with severe disabilities.
What does a Special Education MSD Degree Encompass?
A moderate and severe disabilities program prepares teachers to provide individualized education in educational needs, behavior, communication, and functional skills. Teachers learn to collaborate with parents, service professionals, general education educators, and administrators. They also learn to advocate for their students with moderate and severe disabilities.
Special education candidates who participate in this program will learn the foundation of special education theory, methods, and practical teaching experience and explore behavior support, relevant issues, inclusion strategies, and how to modify classroom instruction. Whereas a regular special education degree mainly focuses on teaching students with mild to moderate disabilities, basic skills, developing IEPs, and adapting general lessons to meet students’ needs.
How will a Special Education MSD Degree Impact Students in the Classroom?
An advanced special education degree or online special education degree concentrating on MSD will give you the knowledge, training, and confidence to provide an effective learning environment for your students. By understanding the best way each of your students learns, you will, in turn, understand the best way to teach and reach all learners based on their specific disability.
In addition, an MSD degree provides you with the knowledge to serve as an advocate for your students with disabilities and special needs. Special education teachers often serve as advocates for their students to ensure students are getting the best services available, which significantly impacts the way students learn in the classroom.
Advantages of Obtaining a Special Education Moderate and Severe Disabilities Degree
There are many advantages to a special education degree in moderate and severe disabilities. Here are the top three reasons to pursue a graduate degree in MSD.
High Demand
Demand for special education teachers should rise as disabilities are being identified earlier. More teachers with special education training in a specific field such as moderate and severe disabilities will be required to meet the surge in new cases.
Salary Increase
Special education is a specialty, and many school districts understand the time, commitment, and patience it needs to take on a career helping students with disabilities, so many employers offer enhanced compensation to teachers who specialize in degrees such as an MSD degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for special education teachers was $61,500 in May 2020. Teachers’ pay scales throughout the country almost always include a salary increase when an educator has their master’s degree.
Career Opportunities
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects overall employment in special education teachers to grow eight percent over the next 10 years which means there will be a demand for teachers with special education credentials. In addition, there are several career paths you can choose other than working in a classroom when you have a master’s in special education, opportunities such as an instructional coordinator, educational administrator, or social community service manager, to name a few.
Teaching students with disabilities can be challenging, but if you have a passion for helping students with special needs and can communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues, you are on the right career path.
Explore our available special education graduate programs and enroll today!
