Visual Impairments, Master of Education
The Master of Education program in Visual Impairments at Ohio State leads you to earn Ohio's Intervention Specialist: Visual Impairments License. This program prepares you to become a teacher to children with visual impairments in Ohio's schools.
Program Features
Approximately five semesters of full-time study to complete.
Complete courses in Braille, core curriculum instruction and modifications for children with visual impairments, Nemeth Code, special education policies and laws for children with visual impairments, special education assessments, reading, eye anatomy and diseases, assistive technology and the expanded core curriculum.
Field experiences and student teaching takes place around the central Ohio area and allows students to teach in a variety of settings with students up to 21 years old.
A culminating project or thesis option is required for completion of the MEd.
Career Paths
Student Opportunities
A limited grant opportunity that provides full-tuition benefits, technology (computer and Braille machine), some books and preparation for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst licensure exam. To be eligible, you must first submit an application to the MEd program. Contact Matthew Brock for more information.
Degree Requirements
Prerequisites
Prerequisite coursework
3.0 GPA or better
Bachelors degree
Deadline to apply
March 15
Program start
Autumn semester
Licensure Disclosure
Licensure requirements may be subject to change because of state-legislated mandates. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the Department of Teaching and Learning each year to ensure they have the most up-to-date information.
Ohio State academic programs are designed to prepare students for licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure and certification at go.osu.edu/onground.
Key Facts and Statistics
The Ohio State University (OSU) hosts one of the oldest teaching programs in visual impairments in the United States; started as graduate-level university program that promoted sight-saving in the 1950s, it has since evolved into an accredited program that is nationally recognized. Our programs consist of a variety of options for teacher licensure, including tracks at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including:
- One of only five undergraduate programs nationwide preparing Intervention Specialists to work with students who have vision loss.
- VI Minor tailored for undergraduate pre-optometry, occupational therapy, and pre-med majors.
- Two graduate programs (MA and MEd) prepare professionals for education and rehabilitation roles, focusing on unique needs presented by vision loss.
Since 2021, Ohio State initial and advanced licensure completers have had a pass rate that is consistently higher than the statewide pass rate on the required Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) exams, with rich opportunity for employment upon graduation. Specific to the field of visual impairments, OSU Office of Accreditation, Placement and Licensure data indicates that 86% of program completers since 2020 and 91% since 2022 Ohio licensure, Graduates in this field are in high demand, with many receiving job offers from their student-teaching or internship sites.
For additional program data, please visit the Accreditation, Placement and Licensure (APL) site.*
*In Ohio, educator preparation program data are not publicly reported when fewer than 10 individuals complete a program to protect participant privacy and confidentiality.
Apply to Ohio State
Application checklist