The M.Ed. Vision Studies (Vision Rehabilitation Therapy) is an excellent option for those who want to work in a professional setting assisting adult populations who are visually impaired. The curriculum is aimed to integrate compensatory skills and assistive technology enabling them to live safe, productive, and independent lives.
Individuals who would like to pursue the M.Ed. Vision Studies (Vision Rehabilitation Therapy) must have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and complete a total of 37 credits. Credits earned through the Graduate Certificate in Visual Rehabilitation Therapy [25 credits] can be counted towards the M.Ed.
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.
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 online. Clearly specify that you are applying to the Vision Rehabilitation Therapy Certification Program, Dept. of Special Education or the M.Ed. Vision Studies (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.
Financial Aid:
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.
Fill out the FAFSA form at https://studentaid.gov. It is important to list the University of Massachusetts Boston school code number 002222.
For more information or if you have further questions, please contact Financial Aid Services at 617.287.6300 or at finaid@umb.edu
Contact:
For more information or if you have further questions, please contact Financial Aid Services at 617.287.6300 or at finaid@umb.edu.
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