Special Education: Visual Impairment

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Overview

The Visual Impairment Training Program (VITP) is a distance education program with courses offered through a combination of online study and concentrated weekend meetings allowing students to continue working during the school year. The program can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. As part of every program, candidates will complete a minimum 350-hour internship in their specialty area. The VITP is guided by the professional standards in the field of visual impairment and blindness. Coursework is based on the knowledge and skills identified by the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC), the Academy of Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP), the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually (AER), and the North Caroline Department Instruction (NCDPI). Areas of instruction include compensatory functional academic skills, including communication modes, orientation and mobility, social interaction skills, independent living skills, recreation and leisure skills, career education, use of assistive technology, sensory efficiency skills, and self-determination.

Overview of Programs

The Masters of Education (MEd) is available through three concentrations: 1) Teaching Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI-43 credits), 2) Orientation and Mobility (O&M-43 credits), and 3) Dual TSVI/O&M (58 credits). The TSVI concentration prepares individuals to become eligible for teacher licensure in visual impairment and to serve and support classroom teachers. The O&M concentration prepares individuals to become eligible for certification from the Academy for Certification of Vision and Rehabilitation Professionals (ACVREP) and to serve as mobility instructors for children and adults. The dual conctration in both TSVI and O&M prepares individuals to become eligibl for both visual impairment licensure and ACVREP cerfication. Students interested in Assistive Technology are directed to Assistive Technology in Visual Impairment.

Certificate and Licensure Preparation Programs

Alternatively, applicants may pursue an add-on specialization to their current degree through a, Post Baccalaureate or Post Master’s Certificate in Orientation and Mobility (27 credits), or through Licensure Preparation in Teaching Visually Impaired Children (31 credits). Students who enter the Post Master’s Certificate Program will also earn a second master’s degree upon completion of all Foliotek requirements.

Second Master’s Degrees

TSVI Concentration

Students with an existing master’s degree in a related educational field may earn a second master’s degree (MEd) by completing a minimum of 37-credit hour plan of study in Teaching Students with Visual Impairments developed by the program coordinator and complete all of the Task stream requirements.

O&M Concentration

Students with an existing master’s degree in a related degree in a related field (e.g., education, counseling) may earn a second master’s degree (MEd) by completing a 31-credit hour Orientation and Mobility plan of study developed by the pgoram coordinator and complete all of the Taskstream requirements.

I. Admission Requirements for all Programs

A bachelor’s degree from a recognized or accredited institution; A minimum 2.75 GPA overall at the undergraduate level. Prospective candidates with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.749 can be granted conditional admission but must earn a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on their first 9 credit hours of study to be granted regular admission to the graduate school;
A current teaching license is required (TSVI concentration only).
Two letters of recommendation submitted by persons who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s teaching or work experience, who have worked in a supervisory role with the applicant, and who have direct knowledge of the applicant’s teaching skills;
An interview with special education faculty;
A writing sample indicating the applicant’s ability to write in a clear, concise, and professional manner; Official transcripts of all previous degrees.

II. Program Requirements for MEd Degrees

Prerequisites in the Program for all MEd Students - 3 hours

EDEC 5620 - Introduction to Exceptional Children (3)

Core Courses for all Students - 25 Hours

VI Core Courses for all MEd Students - 18-19 hours

Courses for MEd Concentration in TVI - 24 hours

EDEC 5504 - Specialized Braille Codes (3)
EDEC 5508 - Technology for the Visually Impaired Learner (3)
EDEC 5602 - Teaching Braille and Communication Skills (3)
EDEC 5604 - Problems, Methods, and Materials for Teaching Children with Visual Impairments (3)
EDEC 5631 - Assessment and Planning for Diverse Learners with Visual Impairments (3)
EDEC 5696 - Practicum in Special Education: Visual Impairments (1-3)

Courses for MEd Students in Orientation and Mobility - 15 hours

Dual MEd Program in TVI and O&M

Students enrolled in the dual TVI/O&M program will be required to complete both the TVI courses and O&M courses in addition to the prerequisite course and the VI core courses. The total number of credit hours is 58.

III. Exit Requirements

Completion of courses on the student’s plan of study.
Candidate must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above and no more than one C during their program.
Successful completion of all Taskstream requirements.
Successful completion of a comprehensive examination.

NOTE: Students interested in Teaching Students with Visual Impairment who do not hae an intital teaching licensure should apply for the Master’s of Teaching Degree (MAT) in Teaching Students with Visual Impairments.

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