Campus Alert:
12:11 PM
May 2nd, 2024

PSU ALERT: The SHELTER IN PLACE for Montgomery and Blackstone Halls has ENDED.

College of Education

VIL Admissions

Visually Impaired Learner (VIL)

Admissions

Prerequisite Coursework

SPED 418/518 Survey of Exceptional Learners

  • If you have a current license in Special Education, SPED 418/518 Survey of Exceptional Learners is waived. 
  • If you have a current license in General Elementary Education or General Secondary Education, or you are working toward Oregon Initial Licensure, you may have completed a similar course. Review the equivalent prerequisites to determine if the course you completed is pre-approved. If the course you completed is not on this list but you believe the course is equivalent, please submit a special education substitution form to have the course evaluated.
  • If you have not already taken a similar course, please note that this course can be completed prior to starting the program or during your first year in the program.
  • If you are pursuing the Endorsement + MS, you must complete this course at the graduate level (SPED 518).

Course Substitutions: Endorsement/Endorsement + MS

Students with a current teaching credential may request that certain classes be substituted if they have completed similar courses at PSU or another institution. These courses include:

  • SPED 548 Positive Behavior Support in the Classroom
  • SPED 514 Legal and Ethical Foundations of Special Education 
  • SPED 520 Collaboration

Course Substitutions Process & Request

If you have taken a similar course at another post-secondary institution, you will need to submit a course substitution form and a copy of the course syllabus/course description. Upload the completed course substitution form(s) and documentation via the VIL Program Course Substitution Qualtrics form to initiate the course review process.  Your course substitution request will be reviewed and a decision rendered within three to four weeks.

Admissions instructions

  1. Check the application deadline for your program.
  2. Make sure you have everything ready from the Application Checklist.
  3. Create an account or sign into the Portland State University Admissions Application system.
  4. Select "Start New Application" and then "Graduate Application." Do not select "Non-degree". You will not be able to upload the necessary documents with the non-degree application, and your application will not be considered.
  5. For the college, select "College of Education"
  6. For the program of study, select from:
  • Special Education: Visually Impaired Added Endorsement
  • Special Education: Visually Impaired, MS and Added Endorsement
  • Special Education: Visually Impaired, MS and License

To validate your admission you must take a course during the term in which you have requested to be admitted. Should you not take a course in that term, your application will be cancelled and you will need to reapply to the next cohort.

Questions about the application process?

If you have questions about the application process, contact askcoe@pdx.edu.
Learn about available scholarships and financial aid.

Application checklist

  • Program-specific application
  • Unofficial transcripts are accepted by the College of Education for the program application. You only need to submit transcripts from institutions that you earned a degree from and where any graduate coursework was taken. Additional unofficial transcripts may be sent in if it significantly improves your application GPA. If admitted, you must send in official transcripts from each degree-granting school and any graduate school. More information on submitting official transcripts can be found on the Graduate Admissions page.
    • Acceptable unofficial transcripts are:
      • Web-based transcripts downloaded from an institution: institution and student name must be visible on transcripts
      • Photocopies of official transcripts: these must include the front and back of all pages, including transcript key
    • Previous applicants:
      • If you’ve previously submitted official transcripts to PSU, you are still required to upload unofficial transcripts to complete your application.
  • After you are admitted, you must submit official transcripts to:
    • The Graduate School
      Portland State University
      PO Box 751
      Portland, OR 97207 - 0751
      Electronic official transcripts should be sent to graddocs@pdx.edu
  • Personal statement (writing prompt provided within application)
  • Résumé
  • Two recommendation forms (forms are provided within application)
  • Prerequisites courses (if applicable)
  • Apply for scholarships
  • Apply for FAFSA

To validate your admission you must take a course during the term in which you have requested to be admitted. Should you not take a course in that term, your application will be cancelled and you will need to reapply.

Retention of Student Documents

All application documents submitted to PSU become the property of the University and may not be copied or returned to a student. Transcripts from other institutions cannot be copied.