UMass Boston’s Vision Studies MEd was ranked as one of the Best Online Graduate Education Programs by U.S. News & World Report. This program focuses on training professionals to assist people with visual impairments to achieve their goals, including high-quality education, fulfilling employment, and safe, independent travel. It’s designed for teachers and other professionals who want to work with people with visual impairments and help them lead safe, productive, and independent lives.
Explore cutting-edge learning technologies and gain practical hands-on experience through fieldwork. Apply these skills to assist people of all ages in different settings — school districts; veterans rehabilitation hospitals; nonprofits; state, federal, and private agencies; and more. This program prepares you to receive initial licensure to teach in Massachusetts and prepares you to sit for national professional exams through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals.
The program consists of four tracks: Orientation & Mobility (O&M), Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI), Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT), and Assistive Technology for Individuals with Visual Impairment (AT). Students typically take two courses each semester. The TVI, O&M, and VRT tracks can be completed in as few as 7 semesters. The AT track can be completed in as few as 5 semesters.
The O&M track teaches you how to evaluate needs of adults and children with visual impairments. You’ll learn how to teach them how to use equipment, such as the long cane, and low vision aids, as well as the integration of a professionally trained dog guide so they may orient themselves and travel safely with confidence. The program prepares you to sit for the national professional examination in O&M offered by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).
At any given time, the O&M program has new and continuing students enrolled concurrently. The pass rate on the ACVREP national certification exam is 98%. The program has a retention rate of over 97% and 98% of graduates are working in the field.
The TVI track trains you to work with students who are blind or have low vision, as well as their families. TVI students include general education leaders, special educators, and other specialists in related fields. This program is fully accredited for initial licensure as a TVI by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). All students who graduate from the program are eligible for endorsement and initial licensure as a TVI in Massachusetts. If you are outside of Massachusetts, the educational requirements are reciprocally recognized in all states except Missouri. Please see the link for Missouri requirements: https://dese.mo.gov/educator-quality/certification/become-certified-teacher.
For any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Program Director Dr. Laura Bozeman (laura.bozeman@umb.edu). For more disclosure information, please see https://www.umb.edu/academics/sara-compliance-and-dispute-resolution/.
The VRT track teaches professionals how to enhance the vocational opportunities, independent living, and educational development of people with vision loss. You’ll learn how to evaluate and teach daily living skills and strategies for safe, independent living for those with visual impairment. This program fulfills the eligibility requirements of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired and prepares you to sit for the national certification exam from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP).
At any given time, the VRT program has new and continuing students enrolled concurrently. The pass rate on the ACVREP national certification exam is 96%.The program has a retention rate of over 94% and 96% of graduates are working in the field.
The AT track is designed for professionals who want to work in areas that enhance technological skills to enhance opportunities in various settings, including vocational, educational, independent living, and avocational settings. This program prepares you to sit for the national certification exam from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP).
At any given time, the ATVI program has new and continuing students enrolled concurrently. The pass rate on the ACVREP national certification exam is 100%.The program has a retention rate of over 86% and 100% of graduates are working in the field.
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Register NowIn addition to the criteria listed below, applicants must also meet general graduate admission requirements.
Deadlines:
Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.
Estimate Your Program Cost: Get a feel for your expected program costs using the Graduate Program Cost Calculator.
Program Cost Information: For more detailed information on costs, please visit the Bursar's website.
Required Courses (37 Credits)
For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.
Required Courses (37 Credits)
Required Courses (37 Credits)
State Licensure Requirements
The licensure of educational personnel requires a bachelor’s degree and the completion of a program that has been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, with course and field work that includes at least 75 hours of pre-practicum field observations and a supervised student teaching experience or internship. In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires satisfactory performance on a test of proficiency in written and spoken English, and on competency examinations in a field of knowledge.
For individuals seeking licensure as Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, applicants must pass the Communication and Literacy Test to demonstrate written and spoken English competency. The field of knowledge is covered in the General Curriculum Test, which addresses the range of subjects covered in the elementary curriculum.Candidates must also pass a Foundations of Reading Test. Individuals who have completed such a program and have passed the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) will be granted “Initial Licensure” and are eligible to teach in a public school.
Those holding initial licensure have up to five years from the time they are first employed to complete the additional requirements for Professional Licensure. These include a master’s degree and successful teaching experience. Professional Licensure is renewable every five years; re-licensure requires the accumulation of Professional Development Points and the payment of a fee. More details concerning licensure and re-licensure are available in a booklet available from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 350 Main Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-5023, or at www.doe.mass.edu.
Required Courses (37 Credits)
AT Track
Complete 37 credits from eleven required courses.
Capstone: Completion of a portfolio during the practicum semester.
Statute of limitations: Five years
O&M Track
Complete 37 credits from twelve required courses.
Capstone: Completion of a portfolio, as part of VISN 629.
Statute of limitations: Five years.
TVI Track
Complete 37 credits from eleven required courses.
Capstone: Completion of a portfolio, normally during the final semester, as part of VISN 619.
Licensure: Students seeking initial licensure must pass all teaching test requirements (MTEL, Communication/Literacy; Foundations of Reading; General Curriculum) and the Braille Proficiency Exam before being placed in a practicum.
Statute of Limitations: Five years.
VRT Track
Complete 37 credits from eleven required courses.
Capstone: Completion of a portfolio, normally during the final semester, as part of VISN 639.
Statute of limitations: Five years.
Graduate Program Director Laura Bozeman
laura.bozeman@umb.edu
781.588.4274
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SARA Compliance, Disclosure & Dispute Resolution
This program is fully accredited for initial licensure as a TVI by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). All students who graduate from the program are eligible for endorsement and initial licensure as a TVI in Massachusetts. If you are outside of Massachusetts, the educational requirements are reciprocally recognized in all states except Missouri. Please see the link for Missouri requirements: https://dese.mo.gov/educator-quality/certification/become-certified-teacher.
For any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Program Director Dr. Laura Bozeman (laura.bozeman@umb.edu). For more disclosure information, please see https://www.umb.edu/academics/sara-compliance-and-dispute-resolution/.
Learn More about SARA