Visual Impairment: Rehabilitation Teaching and Orientation and Mobility - MSEd

Blind and Visually Impaired Program Coordinator: Rosanne K. Silberman; 911 West Building; (212) 772-4740; rsilberm@hunter.cuny.edu, Ellen Trief; 921 West Building; (212) 772-4110; etrief@hunter.cuny.edu

The Hunter College’s master’s degree program in Rehabilitation Teaching (RT) prepares professionals in vision rehabilitation therapy (VRT) to work with individuals with visual impairments. Upon completion of the program, candidates will be eligible for national certification from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals. Those completing the combined program are also eligible to become Orientation and Mobility specialists. The Combined Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Teaching and Orientation and Mobility includes 40 credits of the RT Master’s Degree and 12 credits in Orientation and Mobility.

Admission Standards

Undergraduate BA or BS degree from an accredited institution, with a GPA 2.8 or better, plus teacher of the blind and visually impaired teaching certificate.

OR

Master’s degree from an approved college in rehabilitation teaching or teacher of the blind and visually impaired with a GPA of 3.5 or better,
Evidence of acceptable written languages skills,
Three letters of recommendation,
Evidence of work, volunteer or personal experience with individuals with visual impairments,
An interview with a special education faculty member.

Progress Standards

Students must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 in order to continue the program.
Students with more than one course grade below B in the first 12 credits will not be allowed to continue in the program.
A student who receives a grade F in any course in the first 12 credits will not be allowed to continue in the program.
Students with one grade of IN (incomplete) within the first 12 credits are restricted from registering for more than one additional course. Those with two or more INs will not be allowed to register for any courses.

NOTE: It is recommended that students with two or more INs take an official leave of absence.

Rehabilitation Teaching and Orientation and Mobility Course of Study

Total Credits: 52 credits

Exit Standards

1. An overall GPA of 3.0.
2. Students must demonstrate consistently satisfactory written English in all course work.
3. Student Teaching, Supervised Practicum, and Clinical Teaching Lab

A. Students are required to attain a minimum grade of B in the internship courses (SPED 763 and 764). Students receiving B-, C+, or C for any one of these courses must apply to the department chairperson for permission to retake that course, which may be repeated only once.

Any student who receives an F will not be allowed to continue.

B. Students must complete all required days and hours for each of the internship courses. Students not completing the minimum required days and hours will receive a course grade of IN for that course, prohibiting them from graduating.