Blind and Visually Impaired (MSEd) 2.5-Year Course Sequence and Program Tracker

 
  • Academic Plan: BVI-MSED
  • Credits: 43-56
  • Students must take between 7-19 credits of childhood education credits (CEDC) in addition to the special education courses required for their degrees. Students can be exempted from up to 12 credits of the general education requirements listed below on the basis of equivalent courses taken at either the graduate or undergraduate level via the Exemption Waiver form.
  • Students who graduate from their teacher preparation programs in Fall 2023 or later, will be required to complete a teacher preparation assessment (TPA) as a requirement for program completion. As of April 2022, the Hunter College School of Education is reviewing the options for the TPA and we will have more information available for students in the coming months.
  • This is a spring start two-and-half-year sample course sequence for a May/ August Graduation Only, since student teaching only starts in the Fall.

Spring Semester 1

Courses

Courses listed in order of priority:

  • CEDF 70900 – Child Development Grades 1-6 (3 credits, includes Fieldwork hours)
    • Pre/Co – Requisite of all other CEDC courses
  • CEDC 70450 – Teaching Developmental Reading (3 credits, includes Fieldwork hours)
  • CEDC 70550 – Mathematics Curriculum and Methods (3 credits, includes Fieldwork hours)
  • SPED 70050 – Social, Historical, and Philosophical Foundations of General and Special Education (3 credits)

Summer Semester 1

Courses

  • CEDC 72900 – Fieldwork in Childhood Education for Special Educators (1 credit, 10 days in a school)
    • Application due prior semester
    • Can only be waived with 1 year general education employment
    • Offered Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer
  • Can also take any CEDC classes that are offered that will not be taken in Spring or Fall

Fall Semester 1

Courses

  • SPED 74000 – Medical Aspects and Educational Implications of Visual Impairments (3 credits, includes Fieldwork hours)
  • SPED 74100 – Education and Rehabilitation of Individuals with Visual Impairments (3 credits, includes Fieldwork hours)
  • CEDC 70350 – Teaching Science in the Elementary School (3 credits, includes Fieldwork hours; also offered in Summer)

Winter Session 1

Courses

  • HED 71500 – Health Education for Special Educators (1 credit)
  • CEDC 72250 – Social Studies Curriculum and Instruction: Integrating Literature, the Arts, and Technology (2 credits, includes Fieldwork hours)
    • Also offered Summer

Spring Semester 2

Courses

  • SPED 74200 – Curriculum and Instructional Strategies for Learners with Visual Impairments (3 credits, includes fieldwork hours)
  • SPED 74300 – Braille Literacy and Communication Skills for Learners with Visual Impairments (3 credits, includes fieldwork hours)
  • SPED 70250 – Classroom Management in Special Education and Inclusive Settings (3 credits, includes Fieldwork hours)

Exams

Passing is required prior to beginning student teaching or practicum.

  • Educating All Students (EAS)

Summer Session 2-1

Courses

  • SPED 74500 – Mathematical Literacy and Nemeth Code for Learners with Visual Impairments (1 credit, includes Fieldwork hours)
    • Meets 5 Wednesdays starting in end of May at 4:30 pm
  • Any CEDC classes not taken in Fall or Spring

Exams

Passing is required prior to beginning student teaching or practicum, note this exam requires scheduling earlier than other NYSTCE exams. Schedule in April for July Test Administration.

  • Content Specialty Test (CST) – Blind and Visually Impaired

Summer Session 2-2

Courses

  • SPED 74400 – Assistive Technology for Learners with Visual Impairments (3 credits)
    • Meets 2 days a week in July and August

Fall Semester 2

Courses

  • SPED 79100 – Alternative Assessment for Learners with Low Incidence Disabilities: Visual Impairment, Deafblindness, and Severe Disabilities (3 credits, includes Fieldwork hours)
  • SPED 70700 – Research Seminar: Issues in Special Education (3 credits)
  • SPED 74600 – Educational Implications of Learners Who Are Deafblind (3 credits, includes Fieldwork hours)

Student Teaching or Practicum

  • SPED 74850 Student Teaching Grades PreK-6 or SPED 74851 Grades 7-12 (2 credits; we place you for 3 days a week for 12 weeks)

OR

  • SPED 74852 Practicum Grades PreK-6 or SPED 74853 Grades 7-12 (2 credits; you find full employment with students with visual impairments)

Spring Semester 3

Courses

  • SPED 70650 – Strategies and Curriculum Adaptations for Learners with Severe/Multiple Disabilities (3 credits, includes Fieldwork hours)
  • SPED 74700 – Principles and Practices in Orientation and Mobility for Teachers of Learners with Visual Impairments (3 credits, includes Fieldwork hours)

Student Teaching or Practicum

Two semesters required. Students must prepare a portfolio of materials in conjunction with their second semester clinical experience to demonstrate readiness to teach including lesson plans and unedited video recordings of themselves at work in the classroom.

  • SPED 74854 Student Teaching Grades PreK-6 or SPED 74855 Grades 7-12 (1 credit; we place you for 3 days a week for 12 weeks)

OR

  • SPED 74856 Practicum Grades PreK-6 or SPED 74857 Grades 7-12 (1 credit; you find full employment with students with visual impairments)

Apply for

Graduation

Students must apply for graduation the semester before their planned graduation. Refer to the Graduation and Commencement page for full policies and procedures.

Certification

Students must apply for certification in their final semester. Refer to the Certification page for requirements and step by step instructions

Program Home Page