The University of Pittsburgh, School of Education offers a hybrid model to prepare professionals to serve the educational needs of children who are blind or visually impaired.
Teachers of the visually impaired (TVI) provide instruction in a variety of educational settings which include early intervention or preschools, public school classrooms, resource rooms, specialized schools, or the home. The Vision Studies Hybrid Program prepares TVIs to provide educational services to students birth to 21. Graduates provide direct assessment and instruction in vision-specific subject areas. Students may also add a Master's of Education
degree to their certification program of study by completing an additional 12 credits of graduate level general education courses.
The TVI certificate qualifies the individual to provide educational services needed by students who are blind or visually impaired. These services include:
- Assessing and evaluating educational strengths and needs including educational functional vision assessments
- Recommending appropriate service delivery plans
- Providing training in the use of adapted materials and devices
- Consulting with classroom teachers and parents regarding the impact of visual impairment on development and learning
- Direct instruction in:
- Compensatory Academic Skills
- Career Exploration
- Sensory Efficiency Skills
- Social Skills
- Assistive Technology
- Recreation and Leisure and activities
- Self-Determination Skills
- Techniques of Daily Lives
Coursework begins in mid-May (Summer Term) or the end of August (Fall Term) only. In this hybrid model, the TVI courses are offered on-line with one weekend workshop per course per term at the University of Pittsburgh's Oakland campus. In addition to the on-line courses, students need to complete two levels of practica. The first is an observational experience and the second is a student teaching practicum required for all initial or second field certification applicants as a TVI. It is also
recommended that students participate in the annual professional state conference, typically held during the last week of April. It takes approximately two years to complete the coursework for this single certification program.
Contact Information
Lynn Fox
EMAIL: alderson@pitt.edu
PHONE: 412-648-7308
Admission Inquiries and Application Materials should be directed to:
School of Education Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management
5500 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
230 S. Bouquet St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
PHONE: 412-648-2230
FAX: 412-648-1899
EMAIL: soeinfo@pitt.edu
ONLINE (preferred): Inquiry Form
APPLICATION: Admissions Application
