PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT)
Expand Your Teaching. Build Your Career.
Congratulations — you’ve become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. Now it’s time to broaden your teaching experience and become even more valuable to dive centres around the world.
The PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) preparation programme helps instructors gain the experience and specialty instructor ratings needed to achieve the prestigious Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating.
Why Become an MSDT?
As a new instructor you’ll quickly discover that many students want to continue learning beyond Open Water. Being able to teach a wide range of specialty courses allows you to teach more students, deliver a wider variety of courses, increase your value to dive centres and build experience more quickly.
Many employers actively look for instructors with multiple specialty instructor ratings.
Choosing Your Specialty Instructor Ratings
There are many specialty instructor ratings available. Popular choices include:
- Enriched Air (Nitrox)
- Dry Suit Diver
- Deep Diver
- Wreck Diver
- Peak Performance Buoyancy
- Underwater Navigator
- Search and Recovery
- Night Diver
- Boat Diver
We’ll help you choose a combination that suits your goals and the type of diving you enjoy teaching.
Prerequisites
- Hold a current PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor certification.
- Hold five PADI Specialty Instructor ratings, and have certified at least 25 PADI divers. These are the two requirements PADI sets for the rating itself.
- Be in teaching status where applicable.
- Complete the required participant paperwork.
The MSDT rating itself is awarded by PADI when the current experience and certification requirements have been met.
What Is Included?
Depending on your chosen programme, this may include Specialty Instructor training, Course Director mentoring, practical teaching sessions and professional coaching. Specialty application fees, PADI fees and any additional costs should always follow the current booking page.
No upcoming dates are currently scheduled for this course.
Includes instructor-led tuition, practical course sessions and PADI certification upon successful completion. Any site entry, boat fees, equipment hire or other course-specific costs are listed separately where applicable.
Classroom & Practical Sessions
Private Training
We can offer 1:1 teaching and private pool sessions by enquiry for many of our PADI courses.
This is ideal if you would prefer a quieter learning environment, want extra support, or need training arranged around your availability.
Private training is subject to instructor and pool availability, so please get in touch and we’ll be happy to talk through the best option for you.
Contact UsWhy Train with Wiltshire Scuba?
At Wiltshire Scuba we don’t see instructor development ending with the Instructor Examination. Our MSDT preparation is designed to help you become a confident instructor capable of delivering a wide variety of PADI courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I automatically become an MSDT after completing specialty instructor courses?
No. The Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating is awarded by PADI once you meet the current experience and certification requirements.
Which specialty instructor ratings should I choose?
That depends on your interests and career goals. We’ll help you select specialties that complement each other.
Can I complete multiple specialty instructor courses together?
Yes. Many instructors choose to complete several specialty instructor ratings during a single training programme.
Is MSDT worth it?
For many instructors, absolutely. Teaching a wider range of courses increases flexibility and can improve employment opportunities.
What comes after MSDT?
Many instructors continue towards higher professional ratings within the PADI system as they gain experience.
Related Courses
Professional Training Tailored to Your Experience
Every diver's route through the PADI professional system is a little different. Talk to us about your professional pathway -- the stages below show how they typically connect.
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Divemaster
The first professional level -- lead certified divers and start assisting instructors during training.
View Divemaster -
Assistant Instructor Optional / can run standalone
Develop teaching skills and begin instructing under supervision. Requires a current Divemaster certification.
Included within the full IDC below -- or take it on its own first if you're not ready to commit to the whole programme yet.
View Assistant Instructor -
Instructor Development Course (IDC)
Become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. Includes Assistant Instructor training if you haven't already completed it separately.
View Instructor Development Course (IDC) -
Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) — you are here
Broaden your teaching range with specialty instructor ratings and build your value to dive centres.
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IDC Staff Instructor
Assist Course Directors on future Instructor Development Courses and mentor the next generation of PADI Professionals.
View IDC Staff Instructor
Ready to Take Your Teaching Further?
If you’re ready to expand your teaching opportunities and continue building your career, we’d love to help you achieve your next professional milestone.