Program Overview

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Special Education - Master of Science in Education in Low Vision and Blindness

Overview

This program is open to licensed teachers who want to gain specialized skills to work with blind or visually impaired students covering ages three to twenty-one.

Your training will include a study of specialized content such as:

• Braille reading and writing
• Assistive technology for individuals with visual impairments
• Functional vision assessments
• Learning media assessments
• Expanded core curriculum

As a licensed teacher for the visually impaired, you will be prepared to teach students from preschool through high school in a variety of classroom settings or resource rooms. The program also allows for individuals to work in a residential setting.

This fully online program is designed to meet the needs of full-time working teachers who progress through the five-semester program in a cohort, developing a strong network of collaborative partnerships that extend well beyond graduation. Our training program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills for success in this exciting career.

Graduate Advisor

Dr. Allison Kroesch

DeGarmo 522

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

• Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
• Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
• If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL .
• If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL .

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Graduate School Admission Requirements.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements.

GPA

You must have a minimum 2.8 GPA (on a scale in which an A is a 4.0) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

Educator License

Submit a copy of your professional educator license.

Teaching Experience

Submit proof of successful completion of a student teaching experience, or an anticipated completion date if currently in student teaching, from an accredited university.

Resume

Submit a current resume.

Cover Letter

Include a cover letter that outlines your professional goals.

References

Include contact information for two references that can address your professional work experiences that characteristics that will make you a successful graduate student.

TOEFL Score (International Students Only)

International students must have a TOEFL score of at least 79 iBT; the minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5 band.

Global Access to Online Degree Programs

When applying, international students applying to a fully online program must agree to our international online and hybrid programs disclosure and disclaimer statements. Due to limited on-campus courses, immigration documentation cannot be issued for students seeking F-1 or J-1 status.

Application Deadlines

• Summer 2025 Term — March 15. Cohorts begin every other year.

Graduate Assistantships

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,

• be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
• be in good-standing
• be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive

• monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
• a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
• a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

Costs & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.