Admissions | Orientation and Mobility for Children, Youth and Adults

The Orientation and Mobility program is committed to attracting, enrolling, and retaining a diverse student body who want to educate all levels of students with visual impairments, including those with deafblindness. We prepare educators who want to have an impact, promote progress, and support student goals in a diverse range of schools, universities, rehabilitation settings, and community organizations.

Admissions Timeline
Program Start	Summer*	Fall**
Priority Application Deadline***	January 15	January 15
Final Application Deadline	April 15	August 15
Final Application Materials Due****	May 6	September 5

Additional Timeline Information:

*Summer: Students beginning the program in summer term will take an intensive in-person course for one month from mid-June through mid-July. You should apply for summer term if:

You are able to attend our intensive in-person advanced O&M class. This course requires day-time commitment and includes experiential learning outside in a variety of environments.
If you already have experience working with children or adults who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind you may feel ready to start with this class in your first term.
If you already have experience providing sequenced coaching, you may also feel prepared to participate in this course.
Or, if you have ever participated in a training using blindfolds or low vision stimulators as a part of your professional development.

If you cannot attend in person, or have none of the list experience, we recommend that you begin the program in the fall term. You can take the methods courses first, and have better preparation to take the Advanced O&M course during the following summer term.

**Fall: We recommend this start term if you are unable to attend in-person coursework this coming summer. You will need to plan for the one-month summer intensive course next summer.

***Submitting your application by the priority deadline will allow you access to the scholarship application due by February 1st.

****Recommendations can sometimes take longer to arrive. You can submit your application before these have arrived. This deadline is to allow a short grace period for your recommendations to arrive, if necessary.

Enrollment in each cohort is limited and the earlier you apply, the better your chance of being admitted to the upcoming cohort. Applications are reviewed as they are received and will close once the cohort is full.

Applications are reviewed as they are received, once all materials have arrived and the application is complete. Once complete, your application will be reviewed by staff and faculty. We make every effort to communicate admissions decisions within 4 weeks of application completion.

Required Application Materials

Below is the list of the materials and information you will need to provide as part of your online application. We recommend preparing these materials in advance of submitting your application.

Unofficial Transcripts: from your bachelor’s degree-granting institution and from any institution at which you have earned graduate-level credit
English Language Proficiency: Automatically assessed in your application materials. Learn more about your options for proving proficiency.
Résumé.
Statement of Purpose: Please answer the following questions in no more than 250 words each. We recommend you provide examples when appropriate. Your answers should reflect how your background, beliefs, and experiences have prepared you for this program.
1. Our ideal student is someone who believes and promotes the independence of children or adults who are blind, have low vision or are deafblind; please provide examples of your experience working with children or adults that demonstrate how you meet these dispositional requirements.
2. Describe how this program fits your educational and long-term career goals and the difference you intend to make in your field. Explain how your college education will help you achieve these. As needed, convey additional information explaining your previous academic performance and readiness for the program.
3. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge or setback. How did you manage your emotions, time, and resources to overcome the obstacle, and what did you learn from the experience?
Recommendations: Submit contact information for at least two references via the application. Portland State University will contact your references and provide them with instructions for submitting recommendation forms.

Admissions Review Process

We review your application for the following:

Academic Requirements: Via your transcripts, we assess whether you meet the university’s minimum admissions requirements.
Résumé: Reviewed for work and volunteer experience with individual(s) with a disability or who are blind or visually impaired (B/VI).
Two Recommendations: If possible, at least one of these should come from someone who has seen you work with children or adults who are blind, have low vision or are deafblind. Your references will submit a questionnaire that you send them via the application portal.

Ready to apply?

Review the PSU Graduate School’s minimum admissions requirements.
Create an account or sign into the Portland State University Admissions Application system.
Select "Start New Application"
Then select "Graduate Application"
For the college, select "College of Education"
For the program of study, select "Orientation and Mobility for Children, Youth and Adults, Graduate Certificate"
Select the term you plan to start the program

To validate your admission you must take a course during the term in which you have requested to be admitted. Should you not take a course in that term, your application will be cancelled and you will need to reapply.

Questions? Contact Stefanie!

Post-Admissions

You will be notified of your admission decision to the program via an email and a formal digital letter from the Graduate School. After admission, you will be assigned a faculty advisor and a staff student success advisor, both of whom will support you through your program. The college provides an online orientation module to help you take your next steps to begin your program. You will also be invited to a live orientation session to ensure that you’re fully prepared to begin.

A few additional things to keep in mind:

All students must submit their official transcripts to the Graduate School after admission.
If you’re still completing a bachelor’s degree, you must apply for your degree, and it must be awarded by the term before you begin your graduate program. (Ex: if the program begins summer, the degree must be awarded by the end of spring term).
You must register for coursework in the term that you are admitted in order to validate admission to the program. If you do not, your admission status will be canceled.
If you’re unable to begin in your term of admission, you may request a one year deferral by emailing askcoe@pdx.edu. This request must be made before the start of the program.