The Vision Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh is designed to prepare professionals to serve the academic and orientation and mobility (O&M) needs of children and/or adults who are blind or visually impaired. This Program enables students to acquire single and/or dual certification as a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI) and/or as an O&M specialist with an option for completing a Master of Education (MEd) degree in a unique distance learning model. Presently, there is a
substantial demand for certified professionals to serve these needs of this population locally, regionally, and nationally. Positions far exceed the number of qualified personnel available to fill them.
Courses are offered through a “hybrid” model that incorporates both web-based and occasional campus-based instruction. All of the TVI courses are offered on-line with a weekend workshop per course per term. The TVI student teaching practicum is a 14-week supervised clinical experience and is arranged on a case-by-case basis once the program courses have been completed. Students pursuing O&M certification will combine both web-based and campus-based coursework in the summers. During
the first two summers students complete O&M coursework (possibly concurrent with TVI courses) on-line (mid-May through June) as well as on-campus (Summer Session II). A 350-clockhour O&M Internship is scheduled at the completion of the two summers of O&M coursework. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible for Pennsylvania Department of Education certification as a TVI (required by law to serve the needs of school-aged children), and/or national certification as an
O&M Specialist by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP).
Technology Requirements
In order to be a successful student in this program you must be computer literate. A few of the skills that you will be expected to know are how to create a MS Word document, send and open attachments, open PowerPoint presentations, search web sites, and open links. Each of the courses vary in the type and amount of multimedia utilized. Because of this, there may be additional downloads required in order to fully access the features of the course such as Java Script, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Windows
Media Player, PowerPoint Viewers, Flash, etc. Most of this software can be installed as free downloads.
Other General Computer/Technical Requirements:
- Intel/AMD 1.5GHz processor or better
- 256 MB RAM or more
- It is highly recommended that you have a high speed connection, either through cable or DSL. A dial-up modem may not have enough bandwidth (power from your line) to see and open images.
- Windows 2000/XP operating system
- Internet Explorer 6.0 or 7.0 or Firefox 2.0 web browser
- Valid email account
Below is an explanation of the various teaching certification program options. Applicants may obtain an MEd degree while pursuing any one of these program options by adding 12 credits of graduate degree level education coursework.
Certificates
- Single Certification - Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) - PA State Teaching Certification - TVIs serve the educational and academic support needs of children who are blind or visually impaired in all types of learning environments (e.g., public schools).
- Single Certification - Orientation and Mobility (O&M) - O&M Specialists teach children and/or adults skills of independent travel in schools and/or adult agencies.
- Dual Certification - TVI and O&M - includes PA State Teaching Certification - Individuals who hold dual certification as a TVI and O&M Specialist are capable of serving both the academic and O&M needs of children and/or adults. This is the preferred program for applicants wishing to serve children in various learning environments during the academic year, and adults in agencies at other times.
Degrees
- Master of Education (MEd) - Individuals acquiring an MEd degree in Special Education with certification as a TVI and/or O&M Specialist tend to seek employment in school districts and agencies serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
- Doctor of Education (EdD) - Individuals acquiring an EdD degree in Special Education with emphasis in blindness and visual impairment tend to seek employment in universities or in state or local education agencies.
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Individuals acquiring a PhD degree in Special Education with emphasis in blindness and visual impairment tend to seek employment in universities or in private or public research facilities.
Contact Information
Lynn Fox
EMAIL: alderson@pitt.edu
PHONE: 412-648-7308
Admission Inquiries and Application Materials should be directed to:
School of Education Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management
5500 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
230 S. Bouquet St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
PHONE: 412-648-2230
FAX: 412-648-1899
EMAIL: soeinfo@pitt.edu
ONLINE (preferred): Inquiry Form
APPLICATION: Admissions Application
