University Directory for Programs in Visual Impairments
Below is a listing of programs that provide training to professionals in visual impairments. This Directory includes colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand that offer courses in education and rehabilitation of people who are visually impaired, Deafblind, or have multiple disabilities. The programs are listed alphabetically, by country, state and province, and include the following information as appropriate for each program. (For screen reader users - countries are heading 1, state and province are heading 2, universities are heading 3)
*Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid. Restrictions may apply. All of the programs listed here may not necessarily have met the university guidelines established by AER divisions. The contents in this directory are subject to change at any time.
* Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial ad Master of Education (Special Education) in which they can take all topics in areas relating to Studies in Vision Impairment (1&2), Orientation and Mobility, Braille, Counseling. A practicum is also an option, and topics in hearing impairment are also available online. NOTES: Students can undertake a graduate certificate in education (Vision Impairment)
University of Newcastle/Renwick Center
Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children Private Bag 29 Parrmatta NSW 2124 Australia
VI Contact: Dr. Michael Steer [Not clear information is correct… have sent clarifying email] Phone: 61 2 9872 0814 or Phone: 61 2 9873 1614 Email: rcms@cc.newcastle.edu.au Fax: 215-780-1357
Orientation and Mobility
Multiple impairments
Visually impaired
Travel instruction
Graduate – Certification/licensure only
Graduate – Master’s level
Graduate – Doctoral level
Distance learning via outreach
Distance learning via other methods or a combination of methods
Contact: Dr. Cay Holbrook Phone: 604-822-2235 Fax: 604-822-3302 Email: Cay.Holbrook@ubc.ca
Visual Impairments
Graduate – Master’s level
Graduate – Doctoral level
Distance education via the Internet
Note: Graduate Programs in Visual Impairment, it is formally called a Master’s in Special Education with emphasis on Visual Impairment. It is designed for teachers of students with VI. Note: Students spend the summer at UBC and complete the remainder of the course via the Internet. URL: http://www.ecps.educ.ubc.ca/visual/courses_ma.htm
Nova Scotia
Mount Saint Vincent University
University Mount Saint Vincent 166 Bedford Hwy Halifax, Nova Scotia B3M 2J6
Contact: Dr. Frederick French Phone: 902-457-6186 Fax: 902-457-4911 Email: Frederick.french@msvu.ca
Contact: Faith Roach, Graduate Students Phone: 902-457-6341 Email: faith.roach@msvu.ca
Visual Impairments
Graduate level – Masters
Distance learning via on-site in summers with combination of internet, correspondence, video tape, and teleconferencing during the academic year.
Continuing Teacher Education Faculty of Education 1137 Western Road London, ON N6G 1G7
Contact: Claire Organ Phone: 519-661-2092 Email: conted@uwo.ca
Visually Impaired
Deaf and hard of hearing
Distance learning via Internet
Note: Three courses leading to specialist qualifications:
Teaching students who are blind, Part 1, 2, Specialist
These Additional Qualifications (A.Q.) courses for teachers are available online. Details are available in the calendar at the website indicated below.
Visual Impairments Program Department of Special Education Education Building Room 2321 Birmingham, AL 35294
Contact: Dr. Mary-Jean Sanspree Phone: 205-934-3440 or 975-5351 Fax: 205-934-6722 Email: sanspree@aub.edu
Contact: Ms. Carol Allison Phone: 205-975-5481 Fax: 205-975-7581 Email: callison@aub.edu
Multiple disability*
Visually impaired*
Deafblind*
Graduate – Master’s level
Summer
Academic year
Distance learning via internet
Distance learning via outreach
Distance learning via combination of methods
Note: * Financial aid available only to Alabama residents. Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid. Restrictions may apply. URL: http://www.ed.uab.edu/specialeducation/index.htm
Arizona
University of Arizona
Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies Education Building, Room 412 PO Box 210069 Tucson, AZ 85721
Note: * Financial aid will depend on status of grants. Contact the University for more, current information. Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid. Restrictions may apply. Note: This program has been reviewed and approved by Division 17, the Professional Preparation Division of AERBVI. URL: http://www.uacoe.arizona.edu/vi/
Arkansas
University of Arkansas – Little Rock
College of Education Teacher Education Department (TED) Dept of Counseling, Adult & Rehabilitation Education (CARE) 2801 S. University Little Rock, AR 72204
Teacher Education Department (TED) VI Contact: Dr. Angela Sewall, Dean Phone: 501-683-7088 Email: amsweall@ualr.edu
Dept of Counseling, Adult & Rehabilitation Education (CARE) O&M Contact: Dr. William Jacobson Phone: 501-569-8505 Email: WHJacobson@UALR.Edu
Rehabilitation Counseling Contact: Dr. Larry Dickerson Phone: 501-569-3428 Email: lrdickerson@ualr.edu
Rehabilitation Teaching Contact: Dr. Pat Bussen Smith Phone: 501-569-3169 Email: PBSmith@UALR.edu
URL: www.calstatela.edu/academic/ccoe/ *Financial aid is available through the CSULA financial office. Also, students may apply for federal grant funding through OSEP when available.
San Diego State University
Department of Communication Disorders 5500 Campanile Drive San Diego, CA 92182-1518
Contact: Dr. Kathee Christensen, Coordinator Phone: 619-594-6137 Email: kchriste@mail.sdsu.edu
Deafblind*
Multiple disabilities
Deaf and hard of hearing
Graduate – Certification/licensure only
URL: www.sdsu.edu *Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid.
San Francisco State University
Department of Special Education 1600 Holloway Ave San Francisco, CA 94132
O&M Contact: Dr. Sandra Rosen Phone: 415-338-1245 Email: srosen@sfsu.edu
VI Contact: Dr. Amanda Lueck Phone: 415-338-1080 Email: amandal@sfsu.edu
Visually impaired*
Orientation and mobility*
Graduate – Certification/licensure only*
Graduate – Master’s level*
Graduate – Doctoral level
Distance learning options for VI Program
Summer
Academic year
VI:. http://online.sfsu.edu/~amandal/viwelcome.htm O&M: http://online.sfsu.edu/~mobility/ *Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid. Restrictions may apply. Note: Stipends are offered to students in both credential and master’s programs.
Colorado
University of Northern Colorado
Division of Special Education 501 20 Street Greeley, CO 80639
VI and O&M Contact: Dr. Silvea Correa-Torres Phone: 970-351-1651 Email: silvia.correa-torres@uco.edu
VI and O&M Contact: Dr. Paula Conroy Phone: 970-351-1651 Email: paula.conroy@unco.edu
Dept of Teaching and Learning (TLRN) Dekalb, IL 60115 Phone: 815-753-8459 Fax: 815-753-8594
VI & RT Contact: Dr. Gaylen Kapperman Phone: 815-753-8453 Email: gkapperman@niu.edu
VI & O&M Contact: Jodi Sticken Phone: 815-753-8456 Email: jsticken@niu.edu
Visually impaired*
Rehabilitation teaching
Orientation and mobility
Undergraduate*
Graduate – Master’s level
Summer* (O&M only for already certified TVIs)
Academic year*
URL: www.vision.niu.edu Note: This program has been reviews and approved by Division 17, the Professional Preparation Division of AERBVI and NCATE. *Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid.
Indiana
Ball State University/Indiana State University
Collaborative Program Project Vision – Blumberg Center Bayh College of Education, University Hall 009W Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN 47809
Distance Education (with, at least, one face-to-face weekend seminar and one face-to-face class per semester).
URL: www.indstate.edu/blumberg/pv/distanceeducation.htm *Some financial support is available (textbooks, lodging for weekend seminars) for Indiana residents who are currently teaching on emergency permits in the field of blind/low vision. Note: Applicants must already hold or be eligible for an Indiana teaching license in Mild Interventions. Applicants apply and go through the program as members of a cohort. Priority for acceptance into a cohort is given to individuals currently teaching on an emergency permit in the field of blind/low vision.
Iowa
University of Northern Iowa
Department of Special Education Schindler Education Bldg R158 Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Contact: Sunggye Hong Phone: 319-273-7954 Fax: 319-273-7852 Email: sunggye.hong@uni.edu
Department of Special Education and Habilitative Services Lakefront Education Bldg, Rm. 246 New Orleans, LA 70148
Contact: Dr. Randall Scott Phone: 504-280-6609 Fax: 504-280-5588 Email: rlscott@uno.edu
Visually impaired*
Graduate – Certification/licensure only
Graduate – Master’s level
Graduate – Doctoral level
Academic year
Summer
Distance learning via internet under development
URL: http://coehd.uno.edu/sehs/ *Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, and other financial aid.
Massachusetts
Boston College
Department of Curriculum, Administration and Special Education Campion Hall, 211 Chestnut Hill, MA 02167
Deafblind Contact: Patricia Mason Phone: 617-552-8431 Email: patricia.mason@bc.edu OR Deafblind Contact: Dr. Susan Bruce Phone: 617-552-4239 Email: susan.bruce@bc.edu
Deafblind
Multiply impaired
Graduate – Certification/licensure only
Graduate – Master’s level*
Summer
Academic year
URL: http://www.bc.edu/schools/lsoe/ Note: This program has been reviewed and approved by NCATE. *Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial.
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education Institute for Community Inclusion College of Education and Human Development 100 Morrissey Blvd. Boston, MA 02125
URL: http://www.mnlowincidenceprojects.org/iheresources.html Note: This is a collaborative project with 5 university project partners. Students are enrolled in two universities: one for their core courses, and one to meet the requirements necessary for licensure as a teacher for students who are blind or visually impaired. For more information about this unique arrangement, please visit the URL above.
Missouri
Southwest Missouri State University
901 South National Ave. Springfield, MO 65804
Contact: Paul Ajuwon Phone: 417-836-5397 Fax: 417-836-4884 Email: ppa131f@smsu.edu
Visually impaired*
Certification only
Master’s degree
Distance learning via internet
Distance learning combination
Academic year
Summer
URL: http://www.missouristate.edu/assets/certification/visually_impaired.pdf Note: This program has been reviewed and approved by the State of Missouri and NCATE, and is aligned with AERBVI and CEC standards. Tuition reimbursement is available for Missouri residents. *Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid.
Nebraska
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Dept of Special Education 202G Barkley Center Lincoln, NE 68583-0732
Online classes in fall and spring, summers face to face
URL: www.unl.edu/barkley/sped/vi/ Note: Courses take place in Nebraska City at the Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired. Participants attend courses for 2 summers. * Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid.
New Mexico
New Mexico State University
PO Box 30001/MSC3SPE Special Education/Communication Disorders Las Cruces, NM 88003
Contact: Dr. Jackie Wood Phone: 575-646-4121 OR 515-430-1314 Email: jwood@nmsu.edu
Visual impairment*
Graduate – Master’s level
Graduate – Certification only
Summer
Academic year
Distance learning via outreach
Distance learning via internet
Distance learning via combination
URL: http://education.nmsu.edu/sped/index.html Note: Financial support limited to New Mexico residents with existing teaching certification. Note: NCATE approved. AER approval in process. Note: Program support is provided by the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
New York
Dominican College
470 Western Hwy Orangeburg, NY 10962
Contact: Dr. Charles Farnsworth Phone: 845-848-4084 Email: charles.farnsworth@dc.edu
Visually impaired*
Graduate – Certification/licensure only
Graduate – Master’s level
Academic year
Summer
Distance learning via combination approaches
URL: http://dc.edu/academics.aspx?id=374 *Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid. *VI teacher training via distance learning requires periodic visits to campus on Sundays.
Hunter College of the City University of New York
Dept of Special Education 695 Park Ave. New York, NY 10021
Program for Educators of Learners with Blindness and Visual Impairments Department of Health and Behavior Studies Teachers College 525 West 120th Street, Box 223 New York, NY 10027
Visual Impairment Training Program North Carolina Central University New School of Education 712 Cecil Street Durham, NC 27707
VI and VIMI/DB Teaching Contact: Julie A. Bardin, COMS, Director of Visual Impairment Training Program Phone: 919-530-5346 (NCCU) Or 919-715-6342 (GMS) Email: jbardin@nccu.edu Fax: 919-715-1597 O&M and other Related Services Contact: Dr. Brad R. Walker Phone: 919-530-5179 (NCCU) Or 919-715-6342 (GMS) Email: brad.walker@ncmail.net Fax: 919-715-6852
Orientation and mobility
Visual impairments
Multiple impairments
Deafblindness
Vision rehabilitation
Graduate – Certification/licensure only
Graduate – Master’s level
Undergraduate/Certification – Deafblind Intervenors only
Summers
Academic year
Distance learning via outreach
Distance learning via combination of methods
URL: www.nccu-vitp.net Note: Classes are taught on-campus at NCCU, at the Governor Morehead School for the Blind (GMS), and via distance learning options. Note: Approved by AER division 17 and accredited by NCATE.
North Dakota
University of North Dakota
Department of Teaching and Learning Special Education Program 231 Centennial Drive STOP 7189 Grand Forks, ND 58202-7189
URL: www.und.edu/dept/tl/ Note: Program begins on even-numbered years. Participants attend 2 six-week summer sessions at the university. Participants complete independent study assignments during the academic year. Note: Financial aid is limited and is competitive. *Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid.
Ohio
The Ohio State University
College of Education & Human Ecology School of Teaching & Learning 333 Arps Hall 1945 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43210
VI Coordinator: Dr. Tiffany Wild Phone: 614-292-4783 Email: wild.13@osu.edu
Note: The VI courses are online with the exception of Orientation & Mobility (T&L 685) and Student Teaching (T&L 885.52). Other courses (reading, professional education) need to be taken onsite. For the online courses, there are monthly meetings per quarter. (Note: OSU will convert to a semester system in 2012).
Note: For the past few years, financial support has been available for tuition/fee waivers for Ohio teachers, who wish to add on the VI endorsement to a current certificate. Restrictions apply. Email Dr. Tiffany Wild for details.
University of Toledo
Department of Special Education College of Education 5024A Gillham Hall 2801 W. Bancroft Street Toledo, OH 43606
URL: www.utoledo.edu/ Note: Distance learning options under development. Note: Financial aid is available on a competitive basis or based on grant funds. Limited state funds are available to assist in tuition. *Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid.
Oregon
Portland State University
Department of Special Education Box 751 Portland, OR 97207
Contact: Dr. James Bickford Phone: 503-725-5495 Email: bickford@pdx.edu
Visually impaired*
Graduate – Certification/licensure only*
Graduate – Master’s level*
Graduate – Doctoral level*
Summer*
Academic year*
Distance learning via internet*
URL: http://www.pdx.edu/sped/vil Note: Distance learning participants attend PSU on campus for one summer and receive reminder via internet. *Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid.
Pennsylvania
Kutztown University
Department of Special Education Kutztown, PA 19530
Contact: Dr. David Ross Phone 610-683-4290 OR 610-683-4651 Email: dross@kutztown.edu
Visually impaired
Undergraduate*
Academic year
URL: www.kutztown.edu/acad/coe/spced/ *Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid.
Salus University College of Education and Rehabilitation Elkins Park Campus 8360 Old York Road Elkins Park, PA 19027
Department Phone: 215-780-1360
TVI Masters and Certificate Programs Contact: Dr. Brooke Smith, Director Phone: 215-780-1501 Email: bsmith@salus.edu
Low Vision Rehabilitation Masters and Certificate Programs Contact: Dr. Duane Geruschat and Kerry Lueders, Program Co-Director Phone: 215-780-1360 Email: dgeruschat@salus.edu and klueders@salus.edu
O&M Masters and Certificate Programs Contact: Dr. Fabiana Perla, Director Phone: 215-780-1367 Email: fperla@salus.edu
Vision Rehabilitation Teaching Masters and Certificate Programs Contact: Lachelle Smith, Director Phone: 215-780-1360 Email: lsmith@salus.edu
National Leadership Consortium for Sensory Disabilities Contact: Dr. Kathleen M. Huebner, Director and Associate Dean Phone: 215-780-1361 Email: kathyh@salus.edu
Orientation and mobility*
Multiply impaired*
Visually impaired*
Rehabilitation teaching*
Graduate – Certification/licensure only*
Graduate – Master’s level*
Distance learning via the internet
Distance learning via combination methods
Summer*
Institute for face-to-face courses*
Academic year*
URL: www.salus.edu/ Note: The TVI, VRT and O&M Programs have been reviewed and approved by AERBVI. AER does not approve LVR programs. Salus University, College of Education and Rehabilitation is approved by Middle States Commission of Higher Education. *Financial support is nearly always available through federal grants/traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid.
University of Pittsburgh
5148 WWPH University of Pittsburgh Vision Studies Program Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Program Coordinator Contact: Dr. George Zimmerman Phone: 412-624-7247 Email: gjz@pitt.edu
Rio Piedras College of Education Department of Curriculum and Instruction PO Box 23304 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931
Contact: Dr. Lucy Torres Phone: 787-763-4130 ext 7557 or 3468 Fax: 787-763-4130
Undergraduate
Visual Impairment
Academic year
URL: Note: Candidates are admitted to the program only in August. Note: Program is for certification at the elementary level only.
South Carolina
South Carolina State University
Department of Human Services PO Box 7356 Orangeburg, SC 29117
Contact: Shirley Madison Phone: 803-533-8600 OR 803-533-3956 Email: smadison@scsu.edu
Orientation and mobility
Rehabilitation counseling
Graduate – Certification/licensure only
Graduate – Master’s level
URL: http://www.scsu.edu/graduateprograms/rehabilitationcounseling.aspx Note: This university program does offer general training as a rehabilitation counselor. Candidates may request vision-specific training during their internship.
University of South Carolina – Spartanburg
800 University Way Spartanburg, SC 29303
Director of USCS Graduate Programs Contact: Dr. Tina Herzberg Email: therzberg@uscupstate.edu Phone: 864-503-5551
Visually Impaired
Graduate – master’s level
Distance learning via a combination of internet and on-site instructions
URL: http://www.uscupstate.edu/graduate/default.aspx?id=3387 Note: Program requires 2 summers in Spartanburg. The remainder is via Distance Learning Methodologies Delivery.
South Dakota
Northern State University
Department of Special Education 1200 South Jay Street Aberdeen, SC 57401
URL: http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/Special_Education/Special_Education_%28MEd%29/Visual_Disabilities_%28MEd%29.xml Note: This program has been reviewed and approved by Division 17, the Professional Preparation Division of AERBVI.
Texas
Stephen F. Austin State University
Department of Human Services Box 13019 SFA Station Nacogdoches, TX 75962
VI Contact: Dixie Mercer Phone: 936-468-1142 Email: dmercer@sfasu.edu
Virginia Sowell Center URL: http://cms.educ.ttu.edu/research/sowell/default *Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid. Restrictions may apply.
Utah
University of Utah
Department of Special Education 1705 Campus Center Drive, Room 212 Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9253
Distance learning via combination of methods within state only
URL: www.ed.utah.edu/sped/ Note: This is a collaborative project between the University of Utah and Utah State University. The project is known as the Multi-University Consortium Teacher Preparation Program in Sensory Impairments. *Financial support is available through traineeships, scholarships, or other financial aid.
George Mason University Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities 4400 University Drive, MS:1F2 George Mason University Fairfax, VA 22030
VI Contact: Holly Lawson Phone: 703-993-5625 Email: hlawson2@gmu.edu
Visually impaired*
Graduate - certification/licensure only
Graduate - master's degree
Graduate - doctoral
Academic year
Summer
Distance learning via combination of methods
URL: http://kihd.gmu.edu/teacher_prep_program/ *= Partial financial assistance is available for most qualified applicants who have been accepted into the VI Consortium as well as their participating university.
West Virginia
Marshall University
100 Angus E. Payton Drive South Charleston, WV 25303-1600