Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments Certification

The visual impairment/orientation and mobility programs use a cohort training model. Candidates typically are admitted one time each year. Applications are accepted from September through March, and students begin their training in the first summer session. A limited number of candidates may be approved for admission out of sequence on a case-by-case basis upon review by the program faculty members. In order to be admitted to the vision impairment program, a prospective student must complete the following steps:

Complete an Office of Research and Graduate Studies application indicating intention to pursue a graduate degree. Apply online at applytexas.org/adappc/gen/c_start.WBX.
Complete the visual impairment/orientation and mobility program application, available at sfasu.edu/visual-impairment.
Provide three letters of recommendation; one from a direct supervisor in applicant’s current position.
Submit a three to five page paper distinctly describing: the applicant’s philosophy of education, understanding of the role of the teacher of the visually impaired or certified orientation and mobility specialist, and reasons for pursuing the field of visual impairment as a degree and/or career change.
Have an overall GPA of 2.75 or better, or a 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours of work completed
GRE is not required.

Requirements

Texas Education Agency endorsement as a teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI) requires the following:

Candidates must already have a valid Texas state teaching credential
Successful completion of all program courses: SPE 515 , SPE 516 , SPE 517 , SPE 518 , SPE 551 , SPE 552 and SPE 558
Passage of both the Braille and visually impaired TExEs professional exams (TExEs 182, 183)

Note. In some cases, candidates may begin working as a TVI while still in the training program and while training for the TExES exams. Program support and coordination with ISD are required.

Advising

Additional information about the program can be found at http://www2.sfasu.edu/visual-impairment/ and http://www.sfasu.edu/humanservices/123.asp.

Program applicants are encouraged to consult with an adviser in the visual impairment/orientation and mobility program as early as possible in the application process. For information or assistance, please contact our visual impairment/orientation and mobility office at 936-468-1145.