Blind and Visually Impaired - MSEd

Program Coordinator

L. Beth Brady
(212) 772-4229
929 West
lbrady@hunter.cuny.edu

The School of Education offers graduate programs that prepare students to become teachers of the Blind and Visually Impaired. Graduates of the Blind and Visually Impaired program will be prepared to teach learners who are blind or visually impaired in diverse PreK-12 settings including residential schools for the blind, classroom programs and itinerant teaching settings in public and private schools.

The master’s degree in Blind and Visually Impaired offers two programs. Program 1 (Academic Plan: BVI-MSED) is for those who do not hold NYS certification and leads to dual certification in childhood education and blind and visually impaired. Program 2 (Academic Plan: TCHBL-MSED) is for those who hold NYS certification and leads to single certification in blind and visually impaired.

Admission Requirements

Program 1

For applicants who do not hold NYS certification in Childhood Education

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0;
or
A master’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.5;
plus
A liberal arts or science major or interdisciplinary concentration of at least 30 credits.
General education core in the liberal arts and sciences to include: artistic expression; communication; information retrieval; concepts in history and social sciences; humanities; a language other than English; scientific and mathematical processes; and written analysis and expression.
Submission of official score report on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), except applicants who are certified teachers or school administrators and hold a graduate degree.

Program 2

For applicants who hold Early Childhood, Childhood, PreK-Grade 6, Middle Childhood or Adolescent Education NYS certification

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.0;
or
A master’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.5;
plus
NYS initial, professional, or permanent certification in Early Childhood, Childhood, PreK-grade 6, Middle Childhood or Adolescent Education. Those holding permanent certification must either show proof that they have satisfied the New York State requirements regarding wellness, child abuse, drug abuse, fire safety, and violence prevention or take HED 715, a 1-credit course covering these topics.
Submission of official score report on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), except applicants who are certified teacher or school administrators and hold a graduate degree.

International applicants who need an F-1 or J-1 Visa are not currently eligible for these programs.

Progress Standards

Minimum GPA for Retention - Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to remain at Hunter College. Students whose grades fall below this standard are required to raise their GPAs to at least 3.0 within one semester.
No F in the first two semesters—students who receive a grade of F or WU in any course in the first two semesters will not be allowed to continue in the program.
Progress holds due to Incomplete Grades - Students with two or more INCs will not be allowed to register for any courses.
Key Course Performance Standards
- Students must receive a grade of at least a B in key program courses.
- Students who receive a grade of F or WU in key program courses may not continue in the program.
- Key Program Courses are identified by the label (KC) in the course title.

Course of Study

Academic Plans

Program 1: BVI-MSED
Program 2: TCHBL-MSED

Total Credits

BVI-MSED: 43-57
TCHBL-MSED: 40-41

Courses for Programs 1 and 2

Additional Courses for Program 1

Students must take between 7-19 credits of childhood education credits in addition to the special education courses required for their degrees. Students can be exempted from up to 12 credits of the general education requirements listed below on the basis of equivalent courses taken at either the graduate or undergraduate level. However, students may not be exempted from CEDC 72900 (Fieldwork in Childhood Education for Special Educators).

Exit Requirements

An overall GPA of 3.0.
Program 2 students must maintain a valid and appropriate NYS certification.
Perform satisfactorily on a two-part culminating activity (partial requirements of SPED 70700 , Research Seminar: Issues in Special Education): a comprehensive research-based oralpresentation on a current special education issue
- and either -
an original written research proposal
- or -
a written proposal for competitive grant funding.
Complete the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) workshop.