Master of Arts in Teaching Children Who Are Visually Impaired

Advisor: Donna Lee
College of Health and Human Services

This 50 hour degree program prepares teachers to work with children with visual impairments in public and residential schools. Instruction is provided in skills to support the regular educational curriculum as well as the expanded core curriculum specific to children with visual impairments. Graduates are eligible to become certified teachers of children with visual impairments. Students may choose to combine this degree program with preparation as an orientation and mobility specialist to attain dual competency in the Master of Arts in Teaching Children Who are Visually Impaired/Master of Arts in Orientation and Mobility for Children program.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching Children Who Are Visually Impaired program should request a Master’s Degree Program Application packet from the Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies.

Program Requirements

The program requires the satisfactory completion of:

BLS 5840 - Computer Technology in Rehabilitation Credits: 3 hrs.
BLS 5880 - Psychosocial Aspects of Disability Credits: 2 hrs.
BLS 5900 - Physiology and Function of the Eye Credits: 2 hrs.
BLS 5910 - Braille and Tactual Communication Systems Credits: 2 hrs.
BLS 5930 - Methods of Teaching Adaptive Communications Credits: 2 hrs.
BLS 5970 - Principles and Practices of Low Vision Credits: 2 hrs.
BLS 6050 - Practice in Low Vision Credits: 1 hr.
BLS 6060 - Adaptive Sports Activities for Visually Impaired Children Credits: 1 hr.
BLS 6070 - Adaptive Art Activities for Visually Impaired Children Credits: 1 hr.
FCS 6360 - Teaching for Independent Living Credits: 4 hrs.
SPED 5440 - Educating Individuals with Severe Impairments Credits: 3 hrs.
SPED 6010 - Acquisition and Analysis of Special Education Information Credits: 3 hours
SPED 6100 - Teaching Nemeth Code to Children Credits: 3 hours
SPED 6320 - Teaching Children Who Are Visually Impaired Credits: 4 hours
SPED 6370 - Research and Evaluation Techniques in Special Education Credits: 3 hours
SPED 6610 - Collaboration and Consultation in Special Education Credits: 3 hours
SPED 6740 - Intern Teaching in Special Education Credits: 6 hours
SPED 7120 - Professional Field Experience Credits: 2 to 12 hours
Credits: 2 hours needed

Additional Requirements

In addition, students will complete a 4-hour comprehensive exam as their capstone requirement.