Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals is a specialized academic pathway designed to equip educators with the expertise needed to support learners experiencing delays in social, physical, cognitive, or emotional development. This program emphasizes evidence-based strategies for creating inclusive, individualized learning environments that foster growth and academic success for students whose developmental trajectories diverge from typical age-related milestones.
- Identification of Developmental Delay Patterns: Training in recognizing early signs and diagnostic indicators across multiple developmental domains, enabling timely and accurate assessment of learning needs.
- Individualized Education Planning (IEP) Development: Instruction in designing tailored educational plans that align with student goals, legal requirements, and measurable outcomes to ensure targeted, responsive instruction.
- Instructional Strategies for Developmental Delays: Mastery of specialized teaching methods and adaptive curricula suited to diverse learning paces and modalities, promoting engagement and skill acquisition.
- Student Supervision and Behavioral Support: Techniques for managing classroom dynamics, reinforcing positive behaviors, and providing consistent, supportive oversight in educational settings.
- Developmental Counseling and Family Engagement: Skills in providing emotional and academic guidance to students and collaborating with families to support holistic development and continuity of care.
- Legal and Policy Frameworks in Special Education: Comprehensive study of federal and state regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), to ensure compliance and advocacy for student rights.
Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals 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 |
Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals 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 Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 8 institutions offering Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals 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 Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals is found at American International College (AIC) (52 graduates), Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) (27 graduates), Northern Arizona University (NAU) (16 graduates), Shawnee State University (SSU) (13 graduates), and University of Mount Union (10 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 125 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American International College (AIC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
52 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | aic.edu |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana | Private | smwc.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
16 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Shawnee State University (SSU) |
Residency
|
13 | Portsmouth, Ohio | Public | shawnee.edu |
| University of Mount Union |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Alliance, Ohio | Private | mountunion.edu |
| Whitworth University |
Master's
|
4 | Spokane, Washington | Private | whitworth.edu |
| Drury University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Springfield, Missouri | Private | drury.edu |
| Millikin University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Decatur, Illinois | Private | millikin.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals programs
How much can I earn with a Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals degree?
Salaries for Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals 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 Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals programs?
Currently 8 accredited institutions offer Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include American International College (AIC) (52 graduates), Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) (27 graduates), and Northern Arizona University (NAU) (16 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 Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 17 in 2010 to a peak of 211 in 2020, before declining slightly to 125 in 2023-24. This represents a 635% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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 Special Education for Developmentally Delayed Individuals 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.
Related Education Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Education field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach vocational home economics programs at various educational levels.
Technology and Industrial Arts Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach technology education/industrial arts programs at various educational levels.
Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations
A program that prepares individuals to teach vocational sales and marketing operations/marketing and distributive education programs at various educational levels.
Mathematics Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach mathematics programs at various educational levels.
Music Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach music and music appreciation programs at various educational levels.
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
A program that prepares individuals to teach physical education programs and/or to coach sports at various educational levels.