List of Universities with Programs for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments

Understanding the Role of a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments

A Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) is a specialized educator dedicated to the unique needs of students who are blind or have low vision. These professionals play an essential role in ensuring that students with visual impairments receive an education that is accessible, equitable, and tailored to their specific needs. TVIs work in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, specialized schools for the visually impaired, and in home-based educational programs.


Comprehensive List of Universities with Programs for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments


Programs for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments:

  1. Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)

    • Program: Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education: Visual Disabilities

    • Format: In-person

  2. University of Northern Colorado (Greeley, CO)

    • TVI: Master of Arts (MA) in Special Education: Visual Impairment

    • O&M: Master of Arts (MA) in Special Education: Orientation and Mobility Specialist

    • Format: Hybrid

  3. Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL)

    • TVI: Bachelor of Science (BS). Master of Science in Visual Disabilities.  O&M: Master of Science (MS)  in Visual Disabilities with endorsement in O&M.

    • Format: In-person

  4. Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI)

    • TVI: Master of Arts (MA) in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy

    • O&M for Children: Master of Arts (MA)

    • O&M for Adults: Master of Arts (MA)

    • Format: In-person

  5. Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)

    • TVI Program:  Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education: Visual Impairment

    • O&M Program: Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education with a Specialization in O&M. 

    • Format: Hybrid

  6. University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)

    • TVI: Master of Arts (MA) in Special Education: Visual Impairments

    • O&M: Master of Arts (MA) in Special Education: Visual Impairments, Orientation and Mobility

    • Format: Online

  7. San Francisco State University (San Francisco, CA)

    • TVI: Master of Arts (MA) in Special Education: Visual Impairments; Doctoral training in Blindness and Visual Impairments

    • Format: Hybrid

  8. California State University, Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)

    • TVI: Education Specialist Credential in Visual Impairments

    • O&M: Candidates in this program are dually enrolled in the M.A. degree in Special Education, Option in Orientation and Mobility and the Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential in Orientation and Mobility

    • Format: In-person

  9. University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)

    • TVI: Graduate Certificate;  Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education with a concentration in Vision Studies

    • O&M: O&M Certificate; Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Vision Studies with a concentration in Orientation and Mobility

    • Format: Hybrid

  10. Hunter College, City University of New York (New York, NY)

    • TVI: Master of Science (MS) in Education: Blind and Visually Impaired

    • O&M: Postgraduate Advanced Certificate in Orientation and Mobility

    • Format: In-person

  11. University of Massachusetts Boston (Boston, MA)

    • TVI: Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Vision Studies

    • O&M: Graduate Certificate in Orientation and Mobility; Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Orientation and Mobility

    • Format: Hybrid

  12. Portland State University (Portland, OR)

    • TVI: Teacher of the Visually Impaired; Master Degree in Visual Impairments

    • O&M: Graduate Certificate in Orientation and Mobility

    • Format: In-person for summer semester, then online

  13. Dominican College (Orangeburg, NY)

    • TVI: Graduate Certificate; Master of Science (MS) in Education for Teaching Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

    • Format: Online

  14. Illinois State University (Normal, IL)

    • TVI: Specialist in Low Vision and Blindness (Undergraduate); Master Low Vision and Blindness Program; Master of Science in Education in Low Vision and Blindness

    • Format: Online

  15. North Carolina Central University (Durham, NC)

    • TVI: Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Visual Impairment

    • O&M: Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Visual Impairment, Orientation and Mobility

    • Format: Hybrid

  16. Salus University (Elkins Park, PA)

    • TVI: Master of Education (MEd) degree in Blindness and Visual Impairment and Certificate program for Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI)

    • O&M: Master of Science (MS) degree and Certificate program in Orientation and Mobility (O&M)

    • Format: Hybrid

  17. Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL)

    • TVI: Bachelor of Science (B.S.Ed) in Education; Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed)

    • O&M: Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed)

    • Format: In-person

  18. Louisiana Tech University (Ruston, LA)

    • O&M: Graduate Certificate in Orientation and Mobility

    • Format: In-person

  19. Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, TX)

    • TVI: Graduate Certificate; Master of Education in Special Education

    • O&M:  Graduate Certificate; Master of Science (MS) in Orientation and Mobility

    • Format: In-person

  20. University of Arkansas at Little Rock (Little Rock, AR)

    • TVI: Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education

    • O&M: Graduate Certificate; Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Orientation and Mobility

    • Format: Hybrid


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