Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared for those dedicated to advancing inclusive education, this program equips professionals to design and deliver targeted academic support for individuals whose learning abilities are significantly impacted by specific learning disabilities. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based strategies to foster academic growth, personal development, and long-term success in diverse educational environments.
- Identification of Learning Disabilities: Training in recognizing the signs and symptoms of specific learning disabilities through observational, diagnostic, and assessment techniques.
- Individualized Education Planning (IEP): Mastery of developing, implementing, and evaluating customized educational plans tailored to the unique needs of each learner.
- Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners: Application of specialized teaching methods designed to enhance reading, writing, mathematics, and executive functioning skills in students with learning challenges.
- Student Supervision and Classroom Management: Techniques for creating structured, supportive learning environments that promote engagement, independence, and behavioral success.
- Academic and Emotional Counseling: Development of skills to provide guidance and support that addresses both academic barriers and the psychological well-being of students.
- Special Education Law and Policy: In-depth study of federal and state regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), to ensure compliance and advocacy for student rights.
Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities degrees, including Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Special Education Teachers, Secondary School and Special Education Teachers, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 384,750 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School 25-2058 | $69,590 | $47,930 - $106,050 | 162,780 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other 25-2059 | $67,430 | $43,220 - $109,360 | 39,350 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School 25-2057 | $64,880 | $48,070 - $102,730 | 95,330 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool 25-2051 | $62,190 | $38,740 - $132,530 | 28,200 | N/A |
Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,096 in Mississippi to $98,568 in New York—a 101% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, California, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 384,750 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 48 institutions offering Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities is found at Michigan State University (MSU) (47 graduates), William Carey University (WCU) (29 graduates), Appalachian State University (App State) (22 graduates), Francis Marion University (FMU) (22 graduates), and Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (20 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 398 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
47 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| William Carey University (WCU) |
Master's
|
29 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Private | wmcarey.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| Francis Marion University (FMU) |
Master's
|
22 | Florence, South Carolina | Public | fmarion.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
20 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Mississippi College (MC) |
Master's
|
18 | Clinton, Mississippi | Private | mc.edu |
| Buena Vista University (BVU) |
Master's
|
17 | Storm Lake, Iowa | Private | bvu.edu |
| Concordia University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
17 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | csp.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Hope College |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Holland, Michigan | Private | hope.edu |
| Mount St. Joseph University (MSJ) |
Postbac Cert.
|
13 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | msj.edu |
| Universidad Central de Bayamon (UCB) |
Post-Master's
|
12 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico | Private | ucb.edu.pr |
| Baldwin Wallace University (BW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11 | Berea, Ohio | Private | bw.edu |
| Northern Michigan University (NMU) |
Master's
|
10 | Marquette, Michigan | Public | nmu.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Master's
|
9 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| Malone University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Canton, Ohio | Private | malone.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
7 | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Webster University |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | webster.edu |
| Northeastern State University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Tahlequah, Oklahoma | Public | nsuok.edu |
| Nova Southeastern University (NSU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | nova.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Master's
|
6 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) |
Master's
|
5 | Belmont, California | Private | ndnu.edu |
| Southeastern University (SEU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | seu.edu |
| Aquinas College (AQ) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | aquinas.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Master's
|
3 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| Converse University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
3 | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Private | converse.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Whitewater, Wisconsin | Public | uww.edu |
| Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) |
Master's
|
2 | Nampa, Idaho | Private | nnu.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Master's
|
2 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Oakland University (OU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Public | oakland.edu |
| Walsh University |
Master's
|
2 | North Canton, Ohio | Private | walsh.edu |
| Saint Joseph's University (SJU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | sju.edu |
| Furman University |
Master's
|
2 | Greenville, South Carolina | Private | furman.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Master's
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| Bethune-Cookman University (B‑CU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Daytona Beach, Florida | Private | cookman.edu |
| Judson University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Elgin, Illinois | Private | judsonu.edu |
| Cornerstone University (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | cornerstone.edu |
| Madonna University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Livonia, Michigan | Private | madonna.edu |
| Spring Arbor University (SAU) |
Master's
|
1 | Spring Arbor, Michigan | Private | arbor.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU Metro) |
Master's
|
1 | Teaneck, New Jersey | Private | fdu.edu |
| Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Alva, Oklahoma | Public | nwosu.edu |
| Lubbock Christian University (LCU) |
Master's
|
1 | Lubbock, Texas | Private | lcu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities programs
How much can I earn with a Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities degree?
Salaries for Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities graduates vary by role and location. Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $72,090 annually, while Special Education Teachers, Secondary School earn around $69,590. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $98,568 compared to $49,096 in Mississippi. Approximately 384,750 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities programs?
Currently 48 accredited institutions offer Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Michigan State University (MSU) (47 graduates), William Carey University (WCU) (29 graduates), and Appalachian State University (App State) (22 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 863 in 2010 to a peak of 510 in 2020, before declining slightly to 398 in 2023-24. This represents a 54% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Teaching Students with Specific Learning Disabilities degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Special Education Teachers, Secondary School, and Special Education Teachers, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 384,750 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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