Program Overview

Master in Vision Sciences - Visual Impairment and Rehabilitation

The Master in Vision Sciences - Visual Impairment and Rehabilitation is a graduate program offered by the University of Montreal. This program is designed to provide students with the required knowledge and skills to provide rehabilitation services to people living with visual impairment.

Overview and Specifics

• The program is offered in English and is a full-time plan of study.
• It consists of 45 credits and does not include a dissertation or thesis track.
• The program type is graduate, and it is offered under the option of Visual Impairment & Rehabilitation.

Program Information

• Student file management technician
• Details are given by the School of Optometry

Admissions

Admissions Information

• Contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment
• Visit the help centre

About this Program

The Masters in Vision Science with a focus on Visual Impairment and Rehabilitation is intended for individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy, psychology, social work, or any other counseling or health-related field. This training program, offered entirely in English, enables students to provide rehabilitation services to people living with visual impairment while engaging in applied and clinical research.

Concentrations

• Three concentrations (tracks): orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, low vision
• Interdisciplinary and collaborative approach
• Person-centred approach (PCA)
• Activities of daily living

Advantages of Studying Optometry at UdeM

• Specialize in rehabilitation services for the visually impaired in English
• Be part of UdeMs School of Optometry, a renowned leader in education and research in vision science, eye health, and visual impairment rehabilitation
• Register to sit the exam of the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals to obtain international certification
• Contribute to the AIDE (access, inclusion, diversity, and equity) principle
• Discover UdeMs vision clinic that brings together several specialized clinics
• Thrive in an open and stimulating learning and research environment
• Do internships here or around the world as of the first session

Admission Requirements

General Eligibility Conditions

• Required diplomas and admission R scores for Quebec
  • Accepted diploma: Bachelor's degree; duration: 3 years, or other undergraduate degree deemed equivalent
  • Minimum average:
    • Bishop's: 75%
    • Concordia University: 3.0/4.3
    • École de Technologie Supérieure: 3.0/4.3
    • HEC Montréal: 3.0/4.3
    • McGill University: 3.0/4.0
    • Polytechnique Montréal: 2.75/4.0
    • Université de Sherbrooke: 3.0/4.3
    • Université Laval: 3.0/4.3
    • Universités du Québec: 3.2/4.3

Program-Specific Conditions

• Satisfy the general admissions conditions set out by the Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
• Have completed an undergraduate degree, or its equivalent, in an area of study that adequately prepares one for the chosen graduate field
• Have obtained a cumulative GPA at the undergraduate level of 3.0 out of 4.3 or equivalent

Costs and Financial Aid

Estimated Tuition Fees

• Permanent Quebec resident: $2,183.05 per full-time session of 15 credits
• Canadian non-Quebec resident: $5,393.20 per full-time session of 15 credits
• International student: $11,998.60 per full-time session of 15 credits
• Francophone student from France or Belgium: $2,183.05 per full-time session of 15 credits

Available Financial Assistance

• Graduate and postgraduate scholarships
• Graduate scholarships
• Exemption scholarship for international students
• Funding for Mobility

Future Prospects

Opt for an inspiring career in vision sciences! In choosing to help people living with visual impairments, you will have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings locally and globally, either in public or private rehabilitation centers, educational institutions, or research facilities.

Program Structure

The Master's is composed of 45 credits. It is offered under the option of Visual Impairment & Rehabilitation. The credits in this option are distributed as follows: 22 compulsory credits, of which 5 are attributed to the completion of a directed research project, and 23 optional credits.

Block 72A - Compulsory

• 15 credits
  • IDV 6017: Psychosocial Aspects of Visual Impairment (3 credits)
  • IDV 6020: Functional Aspects of Visual Pathology (3 credits)
  • IDV 6024: Rehabilitation Services in Visual Impairment (3 credits)
  • IDV 6025: Visual Impairment & Related Disabilities (3 credits)
  • IDV 6038: Visual Impairment Across the Lifespan (3 credits)

Block 72B1 - Concentration Orientation & Mobility

• Optional - 23 credits
  • IDV 6003: Fundamentals of Orientation & Mobility (3 credits)
  • IDV 6004: Intervention Strategies in Orientation & Mobility (3 credits)
  • IDV 6007A: Internship in Orientation & Mobility 1 (2 credits)
  • IDV 6007B: Internship in Orientation & Mobility 2 (6 credits)
  • IDV 6016: Low Vision & Mobility (3 credits)
  • IDV 6031: Assessment in Orientation & Mobility (3 credits)
  • IDV 6032: Simulation & Techniques in Orientation & Mobility (3 credits)

Block 72B2 - Concentration Vision Rehabilitation Therapy

• Optional - 23 credits
  • IDV 6015A: Internship in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy 1 (2 credits)
  • IDV 6015B: Internship in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy 2 (6 credits)
  • IDV 6026: Assessment in Vision Rehabilitation (3 credits)
  • IDV 6027: Braille and Visual Impairment (3 credits)
  • IDV 6028: Computer-based Assistive Technology I (3 credits)
  • IDV 6029: Computer-based Assistive Technology II (3 credits)
  • IDV 6030: Living with Visual Impairment (3 credits)

Block 72B3 - Concentration Low Vision

• Optional - 23 credits
  • IDV 6030: Living with Visual Impairment (3 credits)
  • IDV 6033: Assessment in Low Vision (3 credits)
  • IDV 6034: Low Vision Intervention I Enhancing Visual Function (3 credits)
  • IDV 6035: Low Vision Intervention II Optical Devices (3 credits)
  • IDV 6036: Low Vision Intervention III High-Tech Devices (3 credits)
  • IDV 6037A: Low Vision Internship I (2 credits)
  • IDV 6037B: Low Vision Internship 2 (6 credits)

Block 72C - Compulsory

• 1 credit
  • SCV 60011: Research Seminar 1 (0 credits)
  • SCV 60012: Research Seminar 2 (1 credit)

Block 72D - Optional

• 1 credit
  • BIE 6046: Introduction: Ethics in Research (1 credit)
  • MMD 6005: Ethics and Health Research (1 credit)

Block 72E - Directed Research Project

• Compulsory - 5 credits
  • SCV 68001: Directed Research Project 1 (0 credits)
  • SCV 68002: Directed Research Project 2 (0 credits)
  • SCV 68003: Directed Research Project 3 (5 credits)