Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Education is designed to equip students with the specialized knowledge and hands-on experiences needed to thrive as a new teacher. The program is fully aligned with the Pennsylvania Department of Education standards and prepares students for state certification to teach in preK-12 classrooms.

Program Facts

• Degree Type: Graduate Certificate, Master of Education
• Credits: 29 credits (Certificate), 35 credits (Certificate + Master's)
• Format: Hybrid
• Time Commitment: Part-Time (1-2 classes per semester)
• Duration: 2-3 years (variation based on if students have completed prerequisites)
• Enrollment Term: Fall
• Application Deadline: Rolling

Legacy of Education

The University of Pittsburgh School of Education has offered vision studies programs for more than 60 years, making it one of the longest-running and most widely respected programs in personnel preparation in the United States.

Earn Two Credentials

Students in the TVI program will earn a graduate certificate (29 credits) and have the option to take two additional courses (6 credits) to earn a Master of Education (MEd).

Hybrid Format

The TVI program is primarily online with some required face-to-face sessions, consisting of hands-on workshops.

Nationally Accredited Program

The program is fully accredited by the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), with over 400 standards as part of the review, considered the top accreditation in the field.

Get Your Professional Certification

Students apply for their Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Instructional I teaching certificate upon successful completion of the TVI coursework, student teaching practicum, and Praxis II exams.

Requirements

• Requires student teaching for one full semester in a school
• Teaching Certificate in Special Education for Students with Visual Impairments through the PDE
• University of Pittsburgh certificate of completion of TVI coursework

Prerequisites

The following four prerequisite courses may be taken at the graduate or undergraduate level:

• Foundations of Special Education (3 credits)
• Students with Disabilities in the Classroom (Elementary or Secondary) (3 credits)
• Literacy Assessment and Instruction for Children with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings (3 credits)
• Teaching English Language Learners (3 credits)

Admission Requirements

• Bachelors degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Goal statement
• Contact information for three professional references
• Academic transcript

Curriculum

TVI Certificate (29 credits)

The 29-credit program provides the Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) graduate Certificate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education, fully aligned with the standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Education for preK-12 special education teachers for the blind or visually impaired.

TVI Certificate and MEd (35 credits)

The 35-credit program provides students with two advanced credentials: the TVI graduate certificate and a Master of Education (MEd). The certificate is 29 credits to complete, and the MEd is 6 additional credits, consisting of a six-credit sequence of research courses.

Career Pathways

There is a substantial demand for certified teachers of students with visual impairments, with positions far exceeding the number of qualified personnel available. Graduates have become expert instructors and leaders in the field of blindness and visual impairment, making a significant impact on improving the lives of individuals.

Addressing a Critical Shortage

The program addresses a critical shortage area in education, with research indicating a current need for approximately 28,000 professionals who can work with children who are blind or visually impaired. Professionals in the field may work in various settings, including early intervention programs, public or private schools, and center-based programs.

Program Faculty

• Tessa McCarthy, Associate Professor
• Frances Mary DAndrea, Associate Professor of Practice

Related Programs

• Teacher of Visually Impaired and Orientation Mobility Specialist Dual Certification Program
• Orientation and Mobility Specialist Certificate and MEd
• PhD in Special Education
• Supervisor of Special Education Certificate