Special Education
Special Education: Visual Impairment Degree
Make a Lasting Impact as a teacher for the visually impaired
OFFERED AS:
Major
FORMAT:
In-Person
CREDITS REQUIRED:
120
Prepare to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students who are blind or visually impaired with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a specialization in Visual Impairment. At Kutztown University, through hands-on learning and field experiences, you'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to support diverse learners and help them achieve their full potential. Graduates leave Kutztown confident, prepared, and ready to enter a rewarding, high-demand profession.
Why Choose Kutztown for a Special Education: Visual Impairment Degree
Kutztown University offers a unique opportunity as it’s the only state university in Pennsylvania to offer an undergraduate program dedicated to preparing future teachers of students with visual impairments. This unique program provides the training, hands-on experience, and support you need to earn your visual impairment teacher certification and begin a rewarding career.
What Sets Kutztown University Apart?
- Personalized faculty mentorship
- Affordable path to certification
- Close-knit cohort experience
- Small class sizes
- Opportunities for dual certification
- Attend and present at the State Vision Conference
Dual Certification Options
Students can choose to pursue a single certification in visual impairment or a dual certification. Whether seeking single or dual certification, students can still complete their program in four years. Field experiences are required for each certification; therefore, students seeking dual certification will complete two separate field experiences.
The following certification options are available:
- Single certification in Special Education: Visual Impairment
- Dual certification in Special Education: Visual Impairment and Elementary Education
- Dual certification in Special Education: Visual Impairment and Special Education
The thing I enjoy most about this program is how kind and supportive everyone around me is. I feel comfortable asking questions and learning from hands-on experiences in the classroom. I feel incredibly confident and prepared for student teaching.
Ella Keebler, Class of 2027Special Education: Visual Impairment Degree Highlights
As a future teacher for the visually impaired, you will gain specialized training to support students who are blind or visually impaired from birth through age 21. Through hands-on coursework and field experiences, you'll gain expertise working with students in both one-on-one and small-group settings, preparing you to provide meaningful educational support in a variety of learning environments.
Throughout the coursework and field experiences, students learn to read and teach Braille, utilize assistive technology and accessibility tools, and conduct vision and learning assessments. They also gain experience adapting instructional materials to meet the needs of diverse learners, developing individualized education programs (IEPs) and individualized lesson plans, and exploring the anatomy and function of the eye to better understand vision-related challenges.
Kutztown’s Vision Lab provides students with specialized equipment and software to prepare them as advocates and educators.
What’s in Kutztown’s Vision Lab?
- APH Chameleon Refreshable Braille Display
- PenFriend
- TactileView Tactile Graphics Software
- Romeo 60 Braille Embosser
- Swell Form Graphic Machine
- Perkins Brailler Writers
- Fusion Suite: ZoomText and JAWS from Freedom Scientific/Vispero
- Paige Connect
- Freedom Scientific wireless Braille display
- Humanware Victor Reader
- Various Magnifiers
- Vision Simulation Goggles
- APH Materials
- New Computer with Duxbury Braille Translation Software
Make a Difference
Teachers for the visually impaired can shape lives. Kutztown's program prepares its graduates with hands-on learning, access to advanced technology, and ongoing faculty support.
The teacher for the visually impaired program is amazing. It prepared me for my future as a professional working with students who are blind and visually impaired.
Illire Goca, alumniStudent Learning Outcomes
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Teacher Certification Programs (B.S.Ed)
(includes Elementary Education, Secondary Education and Special Education programs)
All initial teacher certification programs use the ten InTASC standards (required by CAEP accreditation) as their Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs). The ten InTASC standards are organized in 4 domains (The Learner and Learning, Content Knowledge, Instructional Practice, and Professional Responsibility).
- Learner Development - The teacher candidate will understand how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and will design and implement developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.
- Learning Differences - The teacher candidate will be able to use understandings of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
- Learning Environments - The teacher candidate will be able to work with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
- Content Knowledge - The teacher candidate will be able to understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and create learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.
- Application of Content - The teacher candidate will be able to understand how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
- Assessment - The teacher candidate will be able to understand and use multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher candidate's and learner's decision making.
- Planning for Instruction - The teacher candidate will be able to plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
- Instructional Strategies - The teacher candidate will be able to understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop
deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. - Professional Learning and Ethical Practice - The teacher candidate will be able to engage in ongoing professional learning and use evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapt practice to meet the needs of each learner.
- Leadership and Collaboration - The teacher candidate will be able to seek appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.
Special Education: Visual Impairment Degree Frequently Asked Questions
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What can I do with a special education: visual impairment degree?
A certification to teach the visually impaired can lead to a rewarding career supporting the blind or visually impaired in schools and school districts, intermediate units, private institutions, or foundations. Some graduates pursue careers implementing assistive technology for the visually impaired.
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Can I add a minor to the Special Education: Visual Impairment degree?
Yes, adding a minor in our Special Education: Visual Impairment major can broaden your expertise and expand your career opportunities after graduation.
Popular options include:
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How can I get involved as a visual impairment teacher?
Beyond coursework and field experiences, students have many opportunities to build leadership skills, serve the community, and connect with professionals in the field. Students regularly participate in awareness events, advocacy initiatives, service projects, and professional development activities that complement their classroom learning and expand their networks.
Popular opportunities for involvement include:
- Braille Bears
- Council for Exceptional Children
- Best Buddies
- Local Lions Clubs
These organizations help students gain valuable experiences while making a positive impact on campus and in the community.
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Do I have to be able to read Braille to enter the program?
No, students do not need to be able to read Braille with their fingers to enter the program. All students are provided with access to a Brailler machine and other specialized equipment to help with reading and writing in Braille.