Mississippi · Career guide
How to become a Special Education Teacher in Mississippi
Special education teachers serve students with IEPs across a wide range of needs — learning disabilities, autism spectrum, emotional disturbances, and physical impairments. Every state lists special ed as a critical shortage area, and federal Title I + IDEA funding makes loan-forgiveness programs especially generous. New SPED teachers often see signing bonuses ranging from $2,000 to $10,000.
No special education teaching positions are open in Mississippi right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in Mississippi
- Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Most candidates complete a teacher-preparation program either as part of their undergraduate studies or as a post-baccalaureate add-on.
- Pass the required exams. Mississippi typically requires:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying ACT/SAT/GRE scores) — Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
- Praxis Subject Assessments — Content knowledge for your certification area
Special education is its own license tier in most states. Cross-categorical, mild-moderate, and severe-profound endorsements exist; check the state-specific exam requirements.
- Apply for your initial license through Mississippi Department of Education. The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit Mississippi Department of Education →
- Job-search in Mississippi. We'll track special education teaching openings as districts post them; set up an alert to be notified immediately when new positions go live.
Alternative pathways in Mississippi
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, Mississippi offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Mississippi Alternate Path to Quality Teachers (MAPT): Earn certification while teaching in a shortage area
- Teach For America (active in Mississippi Delta)
- Career and Technical Education licenses
- Special Educator Preparation and Leadership (SEPL) program
Mississippi salary context
Average teacher salary in Mississippi: $49,534/year (rank #48 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $36,059/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full Mississippi salary guide for the breakdown.