Teacher Preparation Program in Visual Impairments

Do you want to teach children who are blind and visually impaired? Becoming a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) is a rewarding and in-demand career option! 

• Students seeking admission to the Graduate School must have obtained a baccalaureate degree, prior to the start of the term for which s/he is admitted, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. An accredited U.S. institution is one that is accredited by the appropriate regional agency (Middle States, New England, North Central, Northwest, Southern or Western Association of Colleges and Schools). A recognized foreign institution is an institution that is recognized by that nation's Ministry of Education or similar authority as a postsecondary, academic degree-granting institution.
• An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work is required by the Graduate School. Individual departments may require higher grade point averages.
• Submission of scores on the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) unless their chosen program indicates otherwise. The Graduate School has no minimum GRE score requirement; individual programs may set specific score requirements and in some cases may require the advanced portion of the GRE.
• International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. The University of Kentucky requires a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based). For IELTS, a minimum mean band score of 6.5 is required. Students may also use the Duolingo English Test (only tests taken after July 15, 2019 will be accepted. The minimum score will be 115, and students recommended for admission may also be interviewed by a CESL evaluator. TOEFL essentials may also be used and the minimum overall score is 9.
• Domestic applicants (U.S. citizens or resident aliens) must pay a $65 application fee; international applicants must pay a $75 fee. The application fee is non-refundable.

Teaching children who are blind and visually impaired the skills they need for future success.  

Earn a Master of Science degree from the Teacher Preparation Program in Visual Impairments.  This program prepares teachers to work with children who are blind and visually impaired, including with multiple disabilities.  Learn how to modify the general education curriculum for children in preschool through 12th grade, as well as teach specialized skills in the Expanded Core Curriculum, ensuring skills necessary for future success. 

Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs) can work individually with students, alongside classroom teachers, as well as in specialized classrooms and residential schools for the blind.  Learn to teacher skills such as braille, assistive technology, independent living skills, and self-advocacy.  This highly rewarding career is in high-demand throughout Kentucky and the nation. 

Designed to be flexible and responsive to your learning needs:

• Part-time program with two classes a semester
• Evening courses online
• Select face-to-face weekends
• One intensive face-to-face summer
• Complete the program in as little as five semesters

Contact the program to learn more about this degree, as well as teacher certification requirements.  This hybrid program has options for current teachers, as well as those new to the education field.