Blind and Visually Impaired – with prior NYS Certification (MSEd)

 

Welcome to the Blind and Visually Impaired – with prior NYS Certification (MSEd) program home page. Use this page as a guide to the program from acceptance to graduation.

The master’s degree in Blind and Visually Impaired offers two programs. Program 2 is for those who hold New York State certification.

Academic Plan

TCHBL-MSED

Total Credits

Earn at least 40 credits

Program Code for Certification

Program Code: 25655 – TEACHERS OF BLIND

Advisors

  • Lindsay Orcutt, Faculty Advisor, lorcutt@hunter.cuny.edu
  • L. Beth Brady, Faculty Advisor (on leave)
  • Valerie J. Lyons, Certification, Graduation and Administrative Advisor
  • Nikki Hertz, Clinical Placement Specialist

Newly Accepted Students

Program Sequences

Consult the program sequences for a suggested order of courses for the program based on start date. It also includes when to take certification exams and apply for clinical experiences in addition to other important non-course requirements. For technical registration support and troubleshooting, please visit the Register for Classes page.

Hunter College Catalog

Use the Hunter College Course Catalog to review descriptions of specific courses and academic progress standards for the program along with exit requirements.

Clinical Experiences

Students in the Blind and Visually Impaired – with prior NYS Certification (MSEd) program participate in developmental field experiences (fieldwork), and supervised teaching (student teaching and/or practicum).

Fieldwork

Fieldwork is a classroom experience in a New York City Public School in conjunction with a course. Select courses have fieldwork requirements.

Supervised Teaching: Student Teaching/Practicum

Students participate in supervised teaching (student teaching and/or practicum) as the culmination of their course of study. Student teaching and/or practicum requires five full days per week for one semester. Students are observed by Hunter College Clinical Supervisors throughout the semester. Students may complete practicum in their current job if it is aligned with their pending certification/area of study.

Graduation

Graduation is the official completion of your program and conferral of an academic degree. In order to graduate, students must apply for graduation using CUNYFirst the semester before the semester of their planned graduation and complete any outstanding requirements by the stated deadlines. Visit the Graduation and Commencement page for complete information.

Certification and Licensure

The Blind and Visually Impaired – with prior NYS Certification (MSEd) program leads to single certification in blind and visually impaired. Students must wait to apply for certification until they receive an email from the School of Education indicating their recommendation has been entered. This usually occurs six to eight week’s after the conferral of your degree.

Types of Certification

Students are recommended for both initial and professional certification:

  • The Initial Certificate is the entry-level teaching certificate and is valid for five years. Students who graduate from a Hunter master’s degree certification program without prior certification will be recommended for initial certification.
  • The Professional Certificate is an advanced certificate. Once teachers have completed three years of full-time, paid teaching experience including one year of mentored teaching, they can apply for professional certification.

Application Checklist

Additional Resources

Program Related Events