Program of study (master's degree with initial licensure)
The program begins with a hybrid summer session with one week of face-to-face instruction on PSU campus and the remainder of the coursework online. The subsequent courses are delivered online and culminate with a student teaching experience in or near the student's local community. This 65-credit program for teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs) provides a master's degree and an initial licensure. Students complete the master’s core requirement.
This 65 credit program for teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs) provides a master's degree and an initial licensure. Students complete the master’s core requirement.
| Year 1 |
| Summer | 12 credits | - SPED 540: Foundations (3 credits)
- SPED 545: Intro to O&M (3 credits)
- SPED 514: Legal Foundations (3 credits)
- SPED 575: Braille III (Access Technology) (3 credits)
|
| Fall | 6 credits | - SPED 541: Implications of Vision Problems (3 credits)
- SPED 576: Visually Impaired Learners with Additional Disabilities (3 credits)
|
| Winter | 6 credits | - SPED 546: Braille I (3 credits)
- SPED 509 I (3 credits)+
|
| Spring | 5 credits | - SPED 547: Braille II (2 credits)
- SPED 542: Assessment of the Visually Impaired Learner (3 credits)
|
| Year 2 |
| Summer | 9 credits | - SPED 596: Survey of Research (3 credits)*
- SPED 543: Reading & Literacy K-12 (3 credits)
- SPED 548: Positive Supports in the Classroom (3 credits)
|
| Fall | 6 credits | - SPED 509 II: Practicum II (3 credits) +
- SPED 544: Methods VIL (3 credits)
|
| Winter | 15 credits | - SPED 597: Issues and Practices in Visual Impairments (3 credits)*
- SPED 525: Student Teaching (12 credits)++
|
| Spring | 6 credits | - SPED 506: Special Projects (3 credits)*
- SPED 520: Collaboration (3 credits)
|
+ Minimum 10 hours/week of field placement working with school aged students with visual impairments in school settings.
++ Full time 40 hours/week student teaching.
* MS core classes
Program of study (graduate certificate with endorsement)
The program begins with a hybrid summer session with one week of face-to-face instruction on PSU campus and the remainder of the coursework online. The subsequent courses are delivered online and culminate with a final practicum experience in or near your local community.
Below is a sample endorsement program of study for a student with a special education licensure.
Prerequisites:
SPED 418/518 Survey of Exceptional Learners (3)
SPED 548 Positive Behavior Support in the Classroom (3)
SPED 514 Legal and Ethical Foundations (3)
SPED 520 Collaboration (3)
If you have taken a similar course at another post-secondary institution, you may be allowed to substitute one or more prerequisite(s).
| Year 1 |
| Summer | 9 credits | - SPED 540: Foundations (3 credits)
- SPED 545: Intro to O&M (3 credits)
- SPED 575: Braille III (AT) (3 credits)
|
| Fall | 6 credits | - SPED 541: Implications of Vision Problems (3 credits)
- SPED 576: Visually Impaired Learners with Additional Disabilities (3 credits)
|
| Winter | 6 credits | - SPED 509: Practicum I (3 credits)+
- SPED 546: Braille I (3 credits)
|
| Spring | 5 credits | - SPED 547: Braille II (2 credits)
- SPED 542: Assessment of Visually Impaired Learner (3 credits)
|
| Year 2 |
| Summer | 3 credits | - SPED 543: Reading and Literacy K-12: VIL (3 credits)
|
| Fall | 6 credits | - SPED 509: Practicum II (3 credits)+
- SPED 544: Methods VIL (3 credits)
|
+ Minimum 10 hours/week of field placement working with school aged students with visual impairments in school settings.
Course Substitutions: Graduate Certificate/Graduate Certificate + MS
Students with a current teaching credential may request that certain classes be substituted if they have completed similar courses at PSU or another institution. These courses include:
- SPED 548 Positive Behavior Support in the Classroom
- SPED 514 Legal and Ethical Foundations of Special Education
- SPED 520 Collaboration
Course Substitutions Process & Request
If you have taken a similar course at another post-secondary institution, you will need to submit a course substitution form and a copy of the course syllabus/course description. Upload the completed course substitution form(s) and documentation via the VIL Program Course Substitution Qualtrics form to initiate the course review process. Your course substitution request will be reviewed and a decision rendered within three to four weeks.
Course descriptions
For course descriptions, please consult the Bulletin or Class Schedule.