Orientation and Mobility

Orientation and Mobility

Full-time, On-campus
Programs

Overview of Programs
Master's Degree Program. You may apply to this program if you have a Bachelor's degree in education or in a related field such as rehabilitation counseling, teaching, or psychology. You will be required to complete a total of 42 semester hours.

Master's Plus Program. If you already have a Master's degree in teaching students who are blind or visually impaired, in rehabilitation teaching of persons who are blind or visually impaired, or a similar degree from an accredited university, you can apply to the Master's Plus Program. Completion of this program makes you eligible to sit for the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) Orientation and Mobility certification.

Financial Assistance is often available to students enrolled in either program. The type and amount of assistance varies according to available grants. Contact Dr. Jane Erin for information on financial support.

Master's Degree Program
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You can pursue a Master's degree in Special Education with a specialty in Orientation and Mobility by completing a total of 42 semester hours:

17 semester hours of core coursework in Orientation and Mobility
9 semester hours of coursework outside core coursework
12 semester hours of prerequisite coursework

The table below describes a typical sequence of coursework leading to the Master's degree. Click here to view course descriptions.

Prerequisite Courses

Course Units

SERP 503 Special Services in Schools (Fall, and some summers)
3

SERP 520 Low Vision and Visual Functioning (Fall)
3

SERP 521 Introduction to Visual Impairment and Deaf Blindness (Fall) 3

SERP 522 Orientation and Mobility for Teachers of Individuals with Visual Impairments (Spring) 3

Core Requirements

SERP 526 Assessment and Curriculum in Orientation and Mobility (Fall) 3

SERP 527 Advanced Practices in Orientation and Mobility (Fall) 4

SERP 595g Colloquium in Orientation and Mobility (Spring) 3

SERP 575 Observation and Participation (Fall) 1

SERP 594 Practicum (Spring) 3

SERP 593 Internship (Summer) 7

Choose one of these two courses to fulfill the College cultural diversity course requirement

SERP 504 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Exceptional Learners (Fall 3

SERP 587 Psychosocial, Cultural & Familial Aspects of Disability (Fall) 3

Choose one of these two courses to fulfill the College research course requirement

EDP 560 Introduction to Educational Research (Spring) 3

SERP 556 Research Methods in Education (Spring) 3

Electives

One three-credit course related to teaching individuals with disabilities is required. Click here to see a list of elective courses.

Master's Plus Program
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Completion of the Master's Plus Program makes you eligible to sit for the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) Orientation and Mobility certification.

If you already have a degree in a field such as education of students with visual impairments or rehabilitation teaching, you may choose to complete coursework in order to add an orientation and mobility specialist national certification to your previously earned degree. You would be required to complete:

12 semester hours of prerequisite coursework or equivalent (see your advisor to verify)
21 semester hours of core coursework

The table below describes a typical sequence of coursework leading to the endorsement. Click here to view course descriptions.

Prerequisite Courses

Course Units

SERP 503 Special Services in Schools (Fall, Spring, Summer)
3

SERP 520 Low Vision and Visual Functioning (Fall)
3

SERP 521 Introduction to Visual Impairment and Deaf Blindness (Fall) 3

SERP 522 Orientation and Mobility for Teachers of Individuals with Visual Impairments (Spring)
3

Core Requirements

SERP 526 Assessment and Curriculum in Orientation and Mobility (Fall) 3

SERP 527 Advanced Practices in Orientation and Mobility (Spring) 4

SERP 595g Colloquium in Orientation and Mobility (Spring) 3

SERP 575 Observation and Participation (Fall) 1

SERP 594 Practicum (Spring) 3

SERP 593 Internship (Summer) 7

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