Special Education - Visual Impairment
Teach students with visual impairments!
This program prepares graduates to become teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVI) working with students who are blind or have low vision ages birth through 21 in a variety of educational settings. The majority of the candidates in the VI program at Texas Tech University have jobs as a TSVI prior to completion of the program on a VI Emergency Permit.
Learning Model
Online, Hybrid[1]
Credit Hours
36 credits (Master’s)
24 credits (Certification-only)
Maximum Transfer Hours
6 credit hours
Master’s only, subject to approval.
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Rolling Admissions
Apply any time!
Reach Across Texas Scholarship
Texas residents for certification courses only
Deadlines: Jun 1, Nov 1, Apr 15
Tuition Estimates
Average In or Out of State
$415-500 per credit hour
Tuition rates are based on your residency determination of Texas Resident, Non-Resident, or Foreign. Please consult the Admissions site for more information.
About This Program
Looking for a change of careers in the education world? The teacher of students with visual impairments (TSVI) program at Texas Tech University offers exciting preparation to become a new kind of teacher, while still interacting with and instructing students on a daily basis.
You can start an exciting new career as a vision professional in a high-need area with a national teacher shortage. If you are already a teacher in general or special education and are ready for a career move that takes you out of the classroom on a regular basis, then this program may be the right one for you! Working as a TSVI on an itinerant basis, you will go to different schools within a district or region where students who are blind or have low vision attend. You will typically work one-on-one with these students on specialized skills they need to access the general education curriculum. You will also teach other skills unique to students who are visually impaired such as independent living skills, assistive technology, recreation and leisure, sensory efficiency, social skills and more. These skills are called the “expanded core curriculum” that are needed to compensate for the lack of incidental learning that these students miss due to their visual impairment. You also may work in the home of an infant who is blind providing early intervention and family support, as TSVIs serve students from birth through age twenty-one.
Key Courses
EDSP 5382: Braille for Teaching Individuals With Visual Impairment
In this course, you will learn the Unified English Braille (UEB) code so you can instruct braille readers in how to read braille as well as how to prepare materials in braille for your students.
EDSP 5384: Basic Orientation & Mobility
In ths course, you will learn about the motor development issues and strategies to use when working with students who are blind or have low vision, the basic mobility skills under blindfold that are needed by a TSVI, and about concept development and tactile maps.
EDSP 5383: Anatomy and Functions of the Visual System
In this course, you will learn about the parts of the eye, how vision functions in the eye and the brain, and how to perform the required evaluations you will need to do as a TSVI such as a Functional Vision Evaluation and Learning Media Assessment.
EDSP 5381: Instructional Strategies for Individuals with Visual Impairments
In this course, you will learn how to teach braille to your students, how to use assistive technology to support them, how to adapt materials for core subjects such as math, science, and social studies, and how to work with young children who are blind or have low vision.
Why Visual Impairment?
Flexible
This Visual Impairment teacher preparation program at Texas Tech University offers flexible distance education courses for teachers who are busy with work and home duties.
Practical
Our program provides practical, real-world content and strategies that can be directly used with your future students.
Daily variety
Former students say how much they love their job as a TSVI and how every day is different, with new challenges and new growth with each of their students. Vision professionals also form a network and a bond with others in the field that create lifelong connections, support, and friendships.
More info about this program
Program-specific scholarships offered
The Reach Across Texas Program offers competitive scholarships for tuition assistance for Texas residents in the Teacher of Students with Visual Impairment Program for the visual impairment certification courses.
To be considered:
- Complete the application
- Email your completed applciation to reachacrosstexas@ttu.edu in the Sowell Center.
Scholarship deadlines are: June 1 for Fall; November 1 for Spring; April 15 for Summer.
Course delivery
1 This program’s modality is distance education with some face-to-face components: three courses have one face-to-face required weekend in Lubbock or in Austin.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Start your journey with Texas Tech today and unlock a flexible, career-focused education tailored to your needs. Have questions? We’re here to help!
Meet the program faculty
College of Education
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Address
Texas Tech University, College of Education, 3002 18th Street Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
(806) 742-2377 -
Email
educ.webmaster@ttu.edu