Vision Studies, MEd
The Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education (NERCVE) is an established center within the Institute for Community Inclusion that is academically affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Boston, College of Education and Human Development. The Vision Studies program at UMass Boston is New England's only academic center for preparing Teachers of Students with Visual Impairment, Orientation and Mobility Specialists and Visual Rehabilitation Therapists, three key specialties which assist people with visual impairment to achieve their goals of high quality education, fulfilling employment, and safe/independent travel. NERCVE is committed to improving education for individuals with visual impairments through: personnel preparation, professional development, technology & research.
Teachers of Students with Visual Impairment (TVI)
M.Ed. leading to Initial Licensure (TVI)
Through courses, field-based experiences, and practica, the program affords general education teachers, special educators and other specialists in related fields an opportunity to acquire the necessary assessment, instructional, and consultation skills for working effectively with students with Visual Impairments, as well as with their families. Course work and experiences focus on the design and implementation of and advocacy for inclusionary learning settings for children with and without additional disabilities as well as assessment and instruction in the expanded core curriculum for students with visual impairment.
The program offers matriculated students a 37 credit sequence of course work, including 100 hours of monitored pre-practicum field-based experience and a practicum (300 clock hours minimum), that partially fulfills Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements for initial license. This licensure is valid for five years. For further information, contact the TVI faculty or Vision Studies program office. www.nercve.org
Orientation and Mobility Specialists (O&M)
M.Ed. leading to Certification in O&M
The discipline of Orientation and Mobility teaches persons with visual impairments how to fully utilize sensory information to orient themselves and travel safely with confidence in any environment. Participants learn to evaluate needs and to teach the effective use of such adaptive equipment as the long cane and low vision aids as well as the integration of a professionally trained dog guide for safe and independent movement. Students learn how to teach travel skills in a variety of environments: indoors, residential, business, rural, and urban areas. The curriculum addresses the art of teaching such skills across the lifespan to both children and adults as well as those with additional disabilities.
The Orientation and Mobility (O&M) degree or certification program leads to specialized work with people who are blind or visually impaired. Candidates are provided a sequence of course work, field-based experiences, and practica which fulfill requirements prescribed by the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI). Successful completion of the curriculum, along with faculty recommendation, qualifies the student to sit for the national professional examination in Orientation and Mobility offered by the Academy for the Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP). Completing the curriculum and passing this examination leads to national professional certification in orientation and mobility.
The program offers matriculated students a 37-credit sequence of course work, including 100 hours of monitored pre-practicum field-based experience and a practicum (350 hours minimum), that partially fulfills the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) requirements for professional certification. This certification is valid for five years.
Certificate only in O&M
Candidates for the certificate in orientation and mobility proceed through a sequence of course work, field-based experiences, and practica to fulfill eligibility requirements as prescribed by the AERBVI and ACVREP. The total credits required for certification will vary, depending on the candidate’s background in related course work.
1. O&M Certification: 19 credits (for vision professionals)
2. O&M Certification, expanded curriculum: 28 credits (for related services professionals)
For further information, please contact the O&M faculty or the Vision Studies program office. www.nercve.org
Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (VRT)
M.Ed. leading to Certification in VRT
Vision Rehabilitation Therapists work in areas that enhance the vocational opportunities, independent living, and educational development of persons with vision loss, and may include working in center-based or itinerant settings. Participants learn to evaluate and teach the effective daily living skills and strategies for safe, independent living for those with visual impairment.
Candidates are provided a sequence of work, field-based experiences, and practica which fulfill requirements prescribed by the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI). Successful completion of the curriculum, along with faculty recommendation, qualifies the student to sit for the national examination in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy offered by the Academy for the Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).
The Program offers matriculated students a 37 credit sequence of courses, including 100 hours of monitored, community-engaged, pre-practicum and a practicum (350 hours minimum), that partially fulfills the ACVREP requirements for professional certification that is valid for 5 years.
Certificate only in VRT
Certificates in VRT are available through a specified curriculum that is dependent on the applicant’s background and education history. Candidates meet the requirements prescribed by AERBVI and ACVREP. Total credits will vary depending on the candidate's background in related coursework.
For further information, please contact the VRT faculty or the Vision Studies program office.
Please see www.nercve.org for more details.
