Middle School Special Education Teaching: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for educators committed to supporting adolescent learners with diverse academic and developmental needs, this program prepares professionals to deliver effective, evidence-based instruction in middle school settings. It emphasizes the integration of specialized teaching methods with inclusive practices to foster academic growth and personal development for students with learning disabilities and other special needs.
- Diagnosing Learning Disabilities: Training in identifying cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors that impact learning, using standardized assessments and observational techniques to inform intervention strategies.
- Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): Instruction in developing, implementing, and evaluating customized learning plans that align with student goals, legal mandates, and academic benchmarks.
- Curriculum Development for Special Education: Focus on adapting core subject content to meet the diverse learning profiles of middle school students, ensuring accessibility and rigor across disciplines.
- Instructional Strategies and Classroom Management: Exploration of differentiated teaching techniques, universal design for learning (UDL), and proactive behavior support systems tailored to middle-level learners.
- Subject-Specific Middle School Instruction: Study of pedagogical approaches for core subjects—such as mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies—within the context of inclusive and specialized learning environments.
Middle School Special Education Teaching Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Middle School Special Education Teaching Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Middle School Special Education Teaching degrees, including Education Teachers, Postsecondary and Special Education Teachers, Middle School. 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 154,420 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, Middle School 25-2057 | $64,880 | $48,070 - $102,730 | 95,330 | N/A |
Middle School Special Education Teaching Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $53,885 in Hawaii to $92,415 in California—a 72% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 154,420 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 Middle School Special Education Teaching by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 9 institutions offering Middle School Special Education Teaching 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 Middle School Special Education Teaching is found at CUNY City College (CCNY) (54 graduates), Carroll University (24 graduates), Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (10 graduates), Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) (4 graduates), and Marietta College (3 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 101 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUNY City College (CCNY) |
Master's
|
54 | New York, New York | Public | ccny.cuny.edu |
| Carroll University |
Master's
|
24 | Waukesha, Wisconsin | Private | carrollu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) |
Master's
|
4 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | xula.edu |
| Marietta College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Marietta, Ohio | Private | marietta.edu |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania | Public | esu.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Master's
|
1 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| La Salle University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | lasalle.edu |
| York College of Pennsylvania (YCP) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | York, Pennsylvania | Private | ycp.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Middle School Special Education Teaching programs
How much can I earn with a Middle School Special Education Teaching degree?
Salaries for Middle School Special Education Teaching graduates vary by role and location. Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $72,090 annually, while Special Education Teachers, Middle School earn around $64,880. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $92,415 compared to $53,885 in Hawaii. Approximately 154,420 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 Middle School Special Education Teaching programs?
Currently 9 accredited institutions offer Middle School Special Education Teaching degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include CUNY City College (CCNY) (54 graduates), Carroll University (24 graduates), and Brigham Young University (BYU–I), Idaho (10 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 Middle School Special Education Teaching growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 166 in 2010 to a peak of 102 in 2020, before declining slightly to 101 in 2023-24. This represents a 39% 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 Middle School Special Education Teaching degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Education Teachers, Postsecondary, Special Education Teachers, Middle School, . Related occupations employ approximately 154,420 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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