Programs

Specific areas of instruction taught by Vision Rehabilitation Therapists include:

• Communication Systems (Braille, handwriting, recording skills, use of electronic reading systems, use of assistive technology and computer access technology, etc.).
  
• Personal Management (grooming, hygiene, clothing organization, medical measurement, socialization skills, etc.)
  
• Home Management (organization and labeling, repair and home maintenance, budgeting and record keeping, etc.)
  
• Activities of Daily Living (cooking, cleaning, shopping, safety, money organization and management, etc.)
  
• Leisure and Recreation (hobbies, woodworking, crafts, sports, etc.)
  
• Psychosocial Aspects of Blindness and Vision Loss
  
• Medical Management (assessment and instruction and training of adaptive medical equipment)
  
• Basic Orientation and Mobility Skills (sighted guide, safety techniques, etc.)

Vision Rehabilitation Therapists work with a number of special populations among persons who are blind or visually impaired including persons who are deaf-blind, college students, persons over 55 years old, children in transition to adult services, persons who are multiply disabled, employed persons requiring "on the job training" or workplace management, and veterans.

Learn more about this program:

Sample a Course

Click here for more information on the Master's in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy program or at www.nercve.org.

Did you know?

University of Massachusetts has earned several awards for its distance learning programs, faculty and technology including:

• University of Massachusetts Ranked Among Top 28 Best Value in Online Education for Human Services & Psychology Professionals, 2009 by Get Educated
  
• Ranked Top 10 Online Degrees Colleges- September 2009 (Online Degree Reviews.com)
  
• UMassOnline Awarded Public Sector of the Year by Mass Technology Leadership Council , 2008
  
• Most Outstanding Online Teaching and Learning Program, UMass Lowell’s Online Graduate Behavioral Intervention in Autism Program, Sloan Consortium Excellence Awards, 2008
  
• ‘Excellence in Online Teaching’ Award, Dr. Jeannette E. Riley, Sloan Consortium Excellence Awards, 2008
  
• 21st Century Best Practices Award, United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
  
• Program of Excellence, University Continuing Education Association (UCEA)-Journalism Certificate
  
• Excellence in Faculty Development, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• Excellence in Online Programming, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• Excellence in Online Teaching, Sloan-C Excellence Awards
  
• UMass Amherst Isenberg MBA, Top 10 national rankings, #4 Best Professors (2005, 2006, 2007 Princeton Review: Best Business Schools rankings)
  
• 4th in Primary Care Education, U.S. World Reports
  
• Ranked 45th Best University System in the World - London Times
  
• Excellence in Distance Teaching Education - United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) 

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 at 617.287.4385 or  via email at Laura.bozeman@umb.edu or Paula Kosior at 617.287.7584 or via email at paula.kosior@umb.edu.

Apply to UMass Boston by completing the standard graduate application provided either in the Graduate Studies Bulletin or at www.umb.edu/admissions, where you can either print out an application or apply online with a credit card. Clearly specify that you are applying to the Vision Rehabilitation Therapy Certification Program, Dept. of Special Education or the Master's in Education with a specialization in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy.

As part of the application process for the university, you are also required to:

1. 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.

2. Complete all testing required by the University. If you do not have an existing Master's degree, you will be required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Miller's Analogy Test (MAT), or the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) in Communication and Literacy.

3. 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.

4. Complete your Statement of Interest and Intent by submitting a two-part essay. In the first part explain your reasons for wishing to pursue graduate studies in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (approximately 300 words). In the second part (at least 1,200 words) indicate your specific interest and discuss the type of work you would like to do as a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist.

Availability of financial aid varies depending on matriculation and course status. Please check with your program manager or advisor to determine your eligibility. Generally, if you are matriculated in a degree program and are enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits each semester, you may qualify for financial aid. Please review our Financial Aid Checklist below.

1. Fill out the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is important to list the University of Massachusetts Boston school code number 002222.
2. Next, download your required Financial Aid Forms here.
3. Check your financial aid status using WISER.
4. For more information or if you have further questions, please contact Financial Aid Services at 617.287.6300 or at finaid@umb.edu

Tips:

• Please renew your FAFSA form every year.
• When you register for classes, please contact the Division of Corporate, Continuing, and Distance Education at UMass Boston (617) 287-7916) to let them know you that you have applied/are applying for financial aid. Also, it is in your best interest to register for your classes either by phone or fax ((617) 287-7916 ph; (617) 287-7902). You can download the registration form here. If you do not intend to apply for financial aid, you can register online.

Contact:

For more information or if you have further questions, please contact Financial Aid Services at 617.287.6300 or at finaid@umb.edu.

The VRT program has federal grant monies available for tuition support.