Frequently Asked Questions

Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) are educational specialists providing support to both students with visual impairments and classroom teachers. The primary goal of the TVI in a public school setting is to support the full inclusion of the child within the classroom, and integration in all educational experiences. This is accomplished through assessment, direct instruction, curriculum and material adaptation, and consultation with the educational team which includes the family and community.

Most students complete the TVI coursework in two years. After that they complete a 300-hour practicum (student teaching) experience. Some students are unable to take two courses per semester; in those cases, it takes longer to complete the coursework.

It is not necessary to have an education degree to apply to the TVI program. However, if you do not have an education degree, you will be required to take two education-leveling courses in order to graduate from the UMass Boston TVI program and to be licensed as a TVI. The two courses are Understanding Reading: Principles and Practices and Teaching Elementary School Mathematics. These courses do not have to be taken at UMass Boston, but a transcript must be provided to show that they were successfully completed.

Yes, three tests are required, one as part of the admission process and two more to graduate. The required tests are from Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure. For admission: Communication and Literacy. For licensure: Foundations of Reading and General Curriculum.

Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments are in great demand throughout the United States. There are jobs available at local school districts, regional collaborative districts, state agencies, and schools for the blind.

TVI salaries depend very much on where you work and whether you do private contracting or work in a full-time position with benefits. The salary range in New England is from about $30,000 to $55,000 for a beginning teacher.

All of the core TVI courses are offered online. That means all students meet together at the same time. Sometimes the meeting is an online conference, and sometimes it is an in-person class in the Boston area (generally on a Saturday.) The Introduction to Disabilities class is not always offered online and many students take this class at a local university and transfer in the credit.

A total of two classes (6 credit hours) may be transferred in by approval of the program coordinator. These classes must have been taken no more than five years earlier.

The Vision Studies Program Coordinator or Director has the most up-to-date information on this topic. Currently, there is grant funding for most of the tuition. Students must obtain their own texts and required resources. The university's Financial Aid office has information on financial aid loans.

There are several university fees that you will be asked to pay as you go along, including an application fee, new student fee, and graduation fee. In addition, you will have to pay a fee to take each MTEL subtest and to apply for your state licensure.

Orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialists teach people who are blind or visually impaired the skills and concepts they need in order to travel independently and safely, be it in the home and classroom or in the community and city. Some O&M specialists teach visually impaired children in school programs; others teach adults in rehabilitation settings. In addition, O&M specialists are qualified to teach independent orientation and travel skills to visually impaired people with multiple disabilities, including those who have remaining functional vision as well as those who are totally blind.

Admissions to all graduate programs are coordinated through the Office of Graduate Admissions. All materials and correspondence should be directed to the Office of Graduate Admissions, Campus Center, Upper Level. You can contact them at 617.287.6400. Program advisory information requests should be directed to Darick Wright at derrick.wright [at] umb.edu or Paula Kosior at 617.287.7584 or paula.kosior [at] umb.edu. Apply to the UMass Boston Orientation and Mobility track by completing the standard graduate application provided in the Graduate Studies Bulletin or via the online application, where you can print out an application or apply online with a credit card. Specify that you are applying to the M.Ed. in Vision Studies-Orientation and Mobility track or the Certificate in Orientation and Mobility. As part of the application process for the university, you are also required to: Obtain three letters of recommendation, using the forms provided by the Office of Graduate Admissions. Emphasis should be placed on academic and professional references. Complete all testing required by the university. Submit an official transcript from each institution attended; a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required for admissions to a master's degree program. Complete your statement of interest and intent by submitting a two-part essay. 1. Explain your reasons for wishing to pursue graduate studies (approximately 300 words). 2. Indicate your specific interest and discuss the type of work you would like to do in your intended field (at least 1,200 words). Please note that this statement will be reviewed for both your overall message and your ability to write at the graduate level. Proofread your writing carefully; it is ranked according to its clarity, grammar, and syntax. Application deadline: Applicants are accepted into the program twice a year for the Summer and Fall semesters. Summer deadline is March 1st and Fall is June 1st.

Upon completion of this course of study, you will be eligible to apply for positions in school districts and adult rehabilitation programs across the country. Students willing to travel outside the state are likely to find employment before graduation. Salaries differ from state to state. O&M specialists may work in state vocational services for the blind, rehabilitation units of Veterans Administration hospitals, programs for elders with visual impairments, private non-profit organizations, schools (preschool, elementary, and secondary), rehabilitation agencies, low vision clinics, and in private practice.

The Vision Studies Program Coordinator or Director has the most up-to-date information on this topic. Currently, there is grant funding for most of the tuition. Students must obtain their own texts and required resources. The university's Financial Aid office has information on financial aid loans.

There are several university fees that you will be asked to pay as you go along, including an application fee, new student fee, and graduation fee. In addition, you will have to pay a fee to take the ACVREP International Test for your certification.

The individualized course of study is determined after an individual advisement meeting with the program coordinator and/or program director.

There is no thesis requirement; however, students are required to take the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) exam. Once this exam is passed, the person is internationally certified in Orientation and Mobility.

The majority (approximately 90%) of the coursework is delivered through an online platform. An O&M Praxis Course is required. The O&M Praxis course is taken during an entire summer semester [June-August] and requires the student to be available 2 full days each week.

Most students are working and generally take two years to complete the program.

The Seeing Eye in Morristown, NJ and Guiding Eyes for the Blind in White Plains, NY provide 1 day seminars at UMass which are scheduled in the second year of study.

The online Assistive Technology Graduate Certificate and Master of Education Degree prepare professionals for eligibility to apply for the Certified Assistive Tecnology Instruction Specialist for Individuals with Visual Impairments (CATIS) Certification through ACVREP. Assistive Technology Specialists must have well-rounded knowledge in the following domains: assessment, instruction, configuration, and exploration for AT for people with visual impairments. These programs are fully online other than integrated field experience and practicum hours. “CATIS are committed to excellence in serving individuals who are visually impaired to facilitate independence, communication and successful outcomes for educational pursuits, avocational interests and gainful employment.” CATIS Certification information from ACVREP. Assistive Technology Specialists work with a variety of populations among people who are blind or visually impaired including people who are DeafBlind, college students, people over 55 years old, children in transition to adult services, individuals who are multiply disabled, employed people requiring "on the job training" or job accommodations, management, and veterans.

Admissions to all graduate programs are coordinated through the Office of Graduate Admissions. All materials and correspondence should be submitted online and you can contact the Office of Graduate Admissions, Campus Center, Upper Level at 617.287.6400. Program advisory information requests should be directed to Laura Bozeman at laura.bozeman [at] umb.edu or Rachael Sessler Trinkowsky at r.sesslertrinkowsky [at] umb.edu. Apply to UMass Boston by completing the standard graduate application provided in the Graduate Studies Bulletin or in the online application where you can print out an application or apply online with a credit card. Specify that you are applying to the M.Ed. in Vision Studies/Vision Rehabilitation Therapy track. As part of the application process for the university, you are also required to: Obtain three letters of recommendation, using the forms provided by the Office of Graduate Admissions. Emphasis should be placed on academic and professional references that speak to your ability as a thoughtful educator in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. Submit an official transcript from each institution attended; a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required for admissions to a master's degree program. Complete your statement of interest and intent by submitting a two-part essay. Explain your reasons for wishing to pursue graduate studies in Assistive Technology for Individuals with Visual Impairment (approximately 300 words). Indicate your specific interest and discuss the type of work you would like to do as an Assistive Technology Specialist (at least 1,200 words). Application deadline: July 1st for fall admission.

Many employers require ACVREP CATIS certification. Our programs are designed to prepare students for CATIS certification eligibility. Upon completion of this course of study, you will be eligible to apply for positions in adult rehabilitation programs and in specialized educational institutions across the country. Students willing to travel outside the state are likely to find employment before graduation. Salaries differ from state to state. AT specialists may work in state vocational services for the blind, rehabilitation units of Veterans Administration hospitals, programs for elders with visual impairments, private non-profit organizations, rehabilitation agencies, low vision clinics, or private practice.

The Vision Studies Program Coordinator or Director has the most up-to-date information on this topic. Currently, there is competitive grant funding for most of the tuition. Students must obtain their own texts and required resources. The university's Financial Aid office has information on financial aid loans.

There are several university fees that you will be asked to pay as you go along, including an application fee, new student fee, and graduation fee. In addition, if you choose to pursue certification you will have to apply for and pay fees to ACVREP for the CATIS examination and certification.

The individualized course of study is determined after an individual advisement meeting with the program coordinator and/or program director.

There is a Capstone Project required for M.Ed. students, We also strongly encourage students to take the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) exam. Once this exam is passed, the person is internationally certified as a Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS).

All of the coursework is delivered through an online platform. Integrated field hours require ongoing field experiences that can be completed locally for students. Later in the program, practicum hours are required, which are generally in the student's region as well.

Most students are working and generally take two years to complete the M.Ed. program. The graduate certificate can take less time based on previous experience.

Vision Rehabilitation Therapists instruct people with vision impairments in the use of compensatory skills and assistive technology that will enable them to live safe, productive, and independent lives. Vision Rehabilitation Therapists work in areas that enhance the vocational opportunities, independent living, and educational development of people with vision loss, and may include working in center-based or itinerant settings.

Admissions to all graduate programs are coordinated through the Office of Graduate Admissions. All materials and correspondence should be directed to the Office of Graduate Admissions, Campus Center, Upper Level. You can contact them at 617.287.6400. Program advisory information requests should be directed to Laura Bozeman (617.287.4385, laura.bozeman [at] umb.edu) or Sandy Smith (617.287.7633, sandy.smith [at] umb.edu).

Upon completion of this course of study, you will be eligible to apply for positions in adult rehabilitation programs and in specialized educational institutions across the country. Students willing to travel outside the state are likely to find employment before graduation. Salaries differ from state to state. VRT specialists may work in state vocational services for the blind, rehabilitation units of Veterans Administration hospitals, programs for elders with visual impairments, private non-profit organizations, rehabilitation agencies, low vision clinics, or private practice. The average beginning salary for an Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Specialist in New England is around $42,000.

The Vision Studies Program Coordinator or Director has the most up-to-date information on this topic. Currently, there is grant funding for most of the tuition. Students must obtain their own texts and required resources. The university's Financial Aid office has information on financial aid loans.

There are several university fees that you will be asked to pay as you go along, including an application fee, new student fee, and graduation fee. In addition, you will have to pay a fee to take the ACVREP International Test for your certification.

The individualized course of study is determined after an individual advisement meeting with the program coordinator and/or program director.

There is no thesis requirement; however, students are required to take the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) exam. Once this exam is passed, the person is internationally certified in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy.

The majority (approximately 90%) of the coursework is delivered through an online platform. Approximately halfway through the program, two VRT Methods labs are required. These labs begins are run concurrently with courses in the fall and spring semester and require 60 hours per course (delivered via cohorts in the student's region). Later in the program, practicum hours are required which are generally in the student's region as well.

Most students are working and generally take two years to complete the program.