Empower Children in Your Community By Earning Your Intervention Specialist License

If you enjoy helping children and want to see tomorrow’s leaders succeed, a career as an intervention specialist might be particularly meaningful. All students deserve a rewarding school experience tailored to their needs, and special education professionals can help them achieve that.

How do you get an intervention specialist license? What are the Ohio intervention specialist license requirements? 

Read on to find out. 

What Is an Intervention Specialist?

Intervention specialists support students with special education needs. Professionals with an Intervention Specialist for Mild/Moderate (ISM) Disabilities licensure can assist students in grades K-12 whose disabilities are considered mild to moderate. These may consist of physical, emotional, mental, or learning differences. By exercising compassionate care and applying their specialized skills, intervention specialists help students navigate school successfully and learn in a way that best fits their needs.

Intervention specialists may also be referred to as “special education teachers,” but not all intervention specialists are classroom teachers; they may teach or assist in a special education classroom or work one-on-one with students outside the classroom. Whatever capacity they’re working in, intervention specialists help students overcome hurdles to achieve their educational goals. 

Varied and Rewarding Responsibilities

Intervention specialists can take on a variety of responsibilities. In this career field, you could find yourself:

• Assessing student performance to establish specific needs.
• Creating and adjusting Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student.
• Providing students with counsel.
• Adapting everyday coursework to make it more digestible for struggling students.
• Discussing student progress with family members, teachers, and other professionals.
• Planning activities specific to student needs or abilities.
• Teaching and mentoring students individually or in groups.
• Referring students to specialists, if necessary.

Some districts may have intervention specialists dedicated to just one specific area, whereas smaller districts may rely on an intervention specialist to perform a variety of responsibilities to support students. 

Whatever responsibilities you’re tasked with, you’ll know that you’re making a massive difference in the lives of your students every single day. Being an intervention specialist can be challenging, but it’s also immensely rewarding.

How Do You Get an Intervention Specialist License in Ohio?

The path to licensure depends on your current credentials. To work as an intervention specialist in a public school, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and the appropriate special education licensure. Let’s look at two distinct pathways designed to meet you where you are in your professional journey.

For Current Teachers

Do you currently hold a valid Ohio teaching license? You can further your career by adding an intervention specialist license through a master’s degree program. With MVNU Online, teachers can take part in the Master of Arts in Education (MaED) Intervention Specialist (Advanced License) program, which is delivered 100 percent online and consists of 30 credit hours of coursework.

Whether you’re an early childhood, adolescent young adult, or multi-age teacher, you can earn your advanced intervention specialist license to expand your skill set and open up new career opportunities. You could use your new credential to teach students both with and without IEPs or shift your focus entirely to special education. 

For Other Types of Professionals

If you hold a bachelor’s degree in an area outside of education and wish to enter the field of special education, you can do exactly that through the right master’s degree program. An MAEd Intervention Specialist (Initial License) program is designed for non-teachers looking to earn their first teaching certification in special education: the Intervention Specialist for Mild/Moderate (ISM) Disabilities licensure.

Through 54 credit hours consisting of online coursework and real classroom experience, learners in this program develop a wide range of skills, from general pedagogical practices to subject-specific areas.

To earn their Ohio licensure, students must also pass certain Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) exams, including:

• Special Education — 043
• Foundations of Reading – 090
• Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Multi-Age — 004

ISM graduates earn a two-year Resident Educator license. During their first two years of teaching, they complete the Resident Educator program and then transition their license to a five-year Professional license.

Why Pursue an Intervention Specialist License in Ohio?

There are many reasons to consider becoming an intervention specialist. Whether you’re a current teacher looking to expand your horizons or entering the education field for the first time, this career path offers endless meaning and professional opportunities.

Enjoy a rewarding career.

If you want to know the work you do matters, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better career than special education. As an intervention specialist, you can make a powerful difference in students’ lives, serving as a mentor, advocate, and instructor who supports their growth and development. 

Expand your credentials.

Adding an intervention specialist licensure and a master’s degree to your resume can greatly expand your professional credentials. You’ll qualify for many job positions that were previously unavailable to you. Even if you’re already a teacher, becoming an intervention specialist can be a great way to change your career without leaving the education field.

Benefit from solid job security.  

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has indicated that demand for special education teachers will likely stay steady nationwide between 2022 and 2032. Working toward licensure can be an excellent way to invest in your profession and fuel future job offers. 

Boost your earning potential.

As of May 2022, the median pay for special education teachers was around $63,000. These are highly respected professionals who earn a salary well above the median wage for all occupations.

Ready to Start Your Career as an Intervention Specialist with MVNU Online?

Often, people pursuing intervention specialist licenses find that doing so not only advances their careers but also provides personal fulfillment. If you’re interested in becoming an advocate for inclusivity and equal educational opportunities, this is an excellent step to take. 

If you’re excited about the possibility of earning an intervention specialist degree through the convenience of an online degree program, we’re here to help. Turn to MVNU Online for an affordable, convenient, and high-quality education. MVNU Online helps students earn their degrees with flexible courses that fit their busy schedules. 

Want to learn more about becoming an intervention specialist and other career paths in education? Read our e-book, Which Education Program Is Right for Me?