Bachelor's (B.S.) in Special Education with an Emphasis in Visual Impairments
Prepare to Teach Children and Students Who are Blind or Have Low Vision
K - 21 (ages 3 - 21)
The Visual Impairments (VI) specialization prepares university students/pre-service candidates (candidates) to become a teacher of students with visual impairments (TSVI) and to support young children (ages birth – 3) and school-aged students (ages 3 – 5 and/or 5 -21 [3 – 21]) in a variety of settings (e.g., public school, school for the blind, early intervention, etc.). Candidates learn how to complete VI specific assessments, instructional strategies, the expanded core curriculum (ECC) and more.
The program includes emphases in:
-Literary (Unified English Braille [UEB]), Math/Science (UEB Math/Science and Nemeth within UEB Contexts) and Music braille
-Assistive and Access Technologies
-Instructional Strategies (including braille/literacy instruction)
- Cortical/Cerebral Visual Impairments
For more information:
School-aged Students who are blind or have low vision (ages 5 – 21/3 – 21):
- Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Special Education with an emphasis in Visual Impairments (ages 5 – 21/3 -21)
- Master’s degree (M.Ed.) in Special Education with an emphasis in Visual Impairments (ages 5 – 21/3 – 21)
- Master’s degree (M.S.) in Special Education with an emphasis in Visual Impairments (ages 5 – 21/3 – 21)
- License and/or Endorsement only in Special Education with an emphasis in Visual Impairments (ages 5 – 21/3 – 21) (Must currently hold a Utah Special Education license (K – 21)
Young Children/School-aged Students who are blind or have low vision (ages birth – 3 and 3 - 5):
- Master’s degree (M.Ed.) in Special Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Special Education and Visual Impairments (birth - 5)
- Master’s degree (M.S.) in Special Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Special Education and Visual Impairments (birth - 5)
- License and/or Endorsement only in Early Childhood Special Education with an emphasis in Visual Impairments (ages birth - 5) (Must currently hold a Utah Preschool Special Education license (birth - 5)
Pre-Foundation coursework in Special Education (22 credit hours)
| Number | Course Name | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SP ED 2010 |
Human Exceptionality (Diversity) |
3 | Fall, Spring, Summer |
|
SP ED 3020 |
Special Education Globalization and International Perspectives (International) |
3 | Fall, Spring |
|
ECS 2150 |
Introduction to Multicultural Education (Diversity) |
3 | Contact Department |
|
ED PS 2030 |
Research and Inquiry in Education (Social/Behavioral Science Course) |
3 | Contact Department |
|
FCS 2640 |
Integrating Curriculum Methods |
3 | Contact Department |
|
Choose One |
|||
| ETHNC 2550 | Introduction to Black Studies | 3 | Contact Department |
| ETHNC 2560 | Introduction to Chinanx/Latine Studies | 3 | Contact Department |
| ETHNC 2570 | Introduction to Native American and Indigenous Studies | 3 | Contact Department |
| ETHNC 2580 | Introduction to Asian American Studies | 3 | Contact Department |
| ETHNC 2590 | Introduction to Pacific Islands Studies | 3 | Contact Department |
|
Choose One |
|||
|
MATH 2000 |
Algebraic Reasoning Quantitative Literacy Course (QL) |
4 | Contact Department |
|
MATH 1050 |
College Algebra Quantitative Literacy Course (QL) |
4 | Contact Department |
Teacher Education Core (29-31 credit hours)
| Number | Course Name | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SP ED 5054 |
Professional Writing in Education |
2 | Fall, Spring, Summer |
|
SP ED 5021 |
Principles of Assessment and Data-Based Decision Making |
3 | Fall, Spring, Summer |
|
SP ED 5022 |
Principles of Instruction & Behavior Support |
3 | Fall, Spring, Summer |
|
SP ED 5040 |
Legal & Policy Foundations of Special Education |
3 | Spring, Summer |
|
ED PS 5005 |
Writing Instruction and Assessment: K-6 Upper Division Communication and Writing |
3 | Contact Department |
|
MATH 4010 |
Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers 1 Quantitative Intensive |
4 | Contact Department |
|
MATH 4020 |
Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II Quantitative Intensive |
4 | Contact Department |
|
SP ED 5260 |
Transdisciplinary Approaches for Students with Complex Support Needs |
3 | Spring |
|
ED PS 5315 |
Reading Methods I: K-6 Foundation Skills, Phonics, Word Study and Fluency Upper Division Communication and Writing May be taken prior to or concurrently EDU 5316 or EDU 5632 |
3 | Contact Department |
|
EDU 5316 OR EDU 5632 |
Reading Practicum K-3: Next Steps May be taken after or concurrently with ED PS 5315 |
1-3 | Contact Department |
Specialization in Visual Impairments (37-41 credit hours)
| Number | Course Name | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SP ED 5410 |
Introduction to Visual Impairments Pre-requisite for all VI Specialization Courses |
1 | Summer |
|
SP ED 5420 |
Social and Psychological Implications of Visual Impairments |
2 | Summer |
|
SP ED 5435 |
Early Literacy for Young Children with Visual Impairments |
2 | Spring |
|
SP ED 5441 |
Literary Braille Codes |
3 | Fall |
|
SP ED 5442 |
Advanced Braille Codes and Abacus Instruction Pre-requisite SP ED 5441 |
3 | Spring |
|
SP ED 5450 |
Teaching Children who are Deafblind |
3 | Summer |
|
SP ED 5460 |
Introduction to Orientation and Mobility |
2 | Summer |
|
SP ED 5470 |
Instructional Management for Students with Visual Impairments Pre-requisites SP ED 5410, 5420, 5430, 5432, 5441, 5442, 5450, 5460 |
3 | Spring |
|
SP ED 5480 |
Assistive Technology for Students with Visual Impairments Pre-requisites SP ED 5410, 5441, 5442 |
3 | Summer |
|
SP ED 5495 |
Understanding the Brain, CVI & TBI |
2 | Fall |
|
Taken Concurrently |
|||
|
SP ED 5430 |
Ocular Disorders and Examination Techniques |
2 | Fall |
|
SP ED 5432 |
Educational Implications for Individuals with Low Vision |
2 | Fall |
|
Student Teaching |
|||
|
SP ED 5500 |
Student Teaching: Students with Visual Impairments (5-21) |
9 |
Fall, Spring |
| Optional | |||
|
SP ED 5490 |
Instructional Strategies for Young Children with Visual Impairments |
4 |
Spring |
University General Education and Bachelor Degree Requirement (41 credit hours)
| Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
|
American Institutions (AI) |
3 |
|
Lower Writing Division I Course (WRI) |
3 |
|
Lower Writing Division II Course (WRII) |
3 |
|
Quantitative Literacy Course (QL) Fulfilled by Math 1050 or 2000 |
4 |
|
Humanities Course (HF) Recommended: ETHNC 2550 or 2750 or 2590 |
3 |
|
Fine Arts Course (FF) |
3 |
|
Physical Science Course (PS) |
3 |
|
Life Science Course (LS) |
3 |
|
Social/Behavioral Science Course (BF) Fulfilled by ED PS 2030 |
3 |
|
Communication & Writing Course (CW) Fulfilled by ED PS 5005 or 5315 |
3 |
|
Diversity Course (DV) Fulfilled by SP ED 2010 or ECS 2150 |
3 |
|
International Course (IR) Fulfilled by SP ED 3020 |
3 |
|
Methods Requirement Course (DI or DQ) Fulfilled by Math 4010 or 4020 |
4 |
Questions? Ask our Program Contacts
Visual Impairments Program Faculty:
Chris Bischke, Jamie Brown, Darci Crossley, Bess Dennison, Pam Duda, Nana Phangia-Dewald,
Sarah Ivy, Lisa Ord, Alexis Redford, Sandy Ruconich, Cathy Smyth