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VIL Course of Study

Visually Impaired Learner (VIL)

Course of Study

Program of study (endorsement only)

The program begins with a hybrid summer session with one week of face-to-face instruction on PSU campus and the remainder of the coursework online. The subsequent courses are delivered online and culminate with a final practicum experience in or near your local community.

Below is a sample endorsement program of study for a student with a special education licensure. 

Prerequisites: 
SPED 418/518 Survey of Exceptional Learners (3) 
SPED 548 Positive Behavior Support in the Classroom (3)
SPED 514 Legal and Ethical Foundations (3)
SPED 520 Collaboration (3)

If you have taken a similar course at another post-secondary institution, you may be allowed to substitute one or more prerequisite(s).

Year 1
Summer9 credits
  • SPED 540: Foundations (3 credits)
  • SPED 545: Intro to O&M (3 credits)
  • SPED 575: Braille III (AT) (3 credits)
Fall6 credits
  • SPED 541: Implications of Vision Problems (3 credits)
  • SPED 576: Visually Impaired Learners with Additional Disabilities (3 credits)
Winter6 credits
  • SPED 509: Practicum I (3 credits)+
  • SPED 546: Braille I (3 credits)
Spring5 credits
  • SPED 547: Braille II (2 credits)
  • SPED 542: Assessment of Visually Impaired Learner (3 credits)
Year 2
Summer3 credits
  • SPED 543: Reading and Literacy K-12: VIL (3 credits)
Fall6 credits
  • SPED 509: Practicum II (3 credits)+
  • SPED 544: Methods VIL (3 credits)

+ Minimum 10 hours/week of field placement working with school aged students with visual impairments in school settings. 


Program of study (initial licensure with master's degree)

The program begins with a hybrid summer session with one week of face-to-face instruction on PSU campus and the remainder of the coursework online. The subsequent courses  are delivered online and culminate with a student teaching experience in or near the student's local community. This 65-credit program for teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs) provides a master's degree and an initial licensure. Students complete the master’s core requirement.

This 65­ credit program for teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs) provides a master's degree and an initial licensure. Students complete the master’s core requirement.

Year 1
Summer12 credits
  • SPED 540: Foundations (3 credits)
  • SPED 545: Intro to O&M (3 credits)
  • SPED 514: Legal Foundations (3 credits)
  • SPED 575: Braille III (Access Technology) (3 credits)
Fall6 credits
  • SPED 541: Implications of Vision Problems (3 credits)
  • SPED 576: Visually Impaired Learners with Additional Disabilities (3 credits)
Winter6 credits
  • SPED 546: Braille I (3 credits)
  • SPED 509 I (3 credits)+
Spring5 credits
  • SPED 547: Braille II (2 credits)
  • SPED 542: Assessment of the Visually Impaired Learner (3 credits)
Year 2
Summer9 credits
  • SPED 596: Survey of Research (3 credits)*
  • SPED 543: Reading & Literacy K-12 (3 credits)
  • SPED 548: Positive Supports in the Classroom (3 credits)
Fall6 credits
  • SPED 509 II: Practicum II (3 credits) +
  • SPED 544: Methods VIL (3 credits)
Winter15 credits
  • SPED 597: Issues and Practices in Visual Impairments (3 credits)*
  • SPED 525: Student Teaching (12 credits)++
Spring6 credits
  • SPED 506: Special Projects (3 credits)*
  • SPED 520: Collaboration (3 credits)

+ Minimum 10 hours/week of field placement working with school aged students with visual impairments in school settings. 
++ Full time 40 hours/week student teaching.
* MS core classes


Program of study (endorsement with master's degree)

The program begins with a hybrid summer session with one week of face-to-face instruction on PSU campus and the remainder of the coursework online. The subsequent courses are delivered online and culminate with a final practicum experience in or near your local community.

Below is a sample endorsement plus master's degree program of study for a student with a special education licensure. 

Prerequisites: 
SPED 418/518 Survey of Exceptional Learners (3) 
SPED 548 Positive Behavior Support in the Classroom (3)
SPED 514 Legal and Ethical Foundations (3)
SPED 520 Collaboration (3)

If you have taken a similar course at another post-secondary institution, you may be allowed to substitute one or more prerequisite(s).

Year 1
Summer9 credits
  • SPED 540: Foundations (3 credits)
  • SPED 545: Intro to O&M (3 credits)
  • SPED 575: Braille III (AT) (3 credits)
Fall6 credits
  • SPED 541: Implications of Vision Problems (3 credits)
  • SPED 576: Visually Impaired Learners with Additional Disabilities (3 credits)
Winter6 credits
  • SPED 509: Practicum I (3 credits)+
  • SPED 546: Braille I (3 credits)
Spring5 credits
  • SPED 547: Braille II (2 credits)
  • SPED 542: Assessment of Visually Impaired Learner (3 credits)
Year 2
Summer6 credits
  • SPED 596: Survey of Research (3 credits)
  • SPED 543: Reading and Literacy K-12: VIL (3 credits)
Fall6 credits
  • SPED 509: Practicum II (3 credits)+
  • SPED 544: Methods VIL (3 credits)
Winter3 credits
  • SPED 597: Issues and Practices in Visual Impairments (3 credits)
Spring3 credits
  • SPED 506: Special Projects (3 credits)

+ Minimum 10 hours/week of field placement working with school aged students with visual impairments in school settings. 

Course descriptions

For course descriptions, please consult the Bulletin or Class Schedule.


Online Learning Format

Envision online learning...

  • Web-based courses support you to learn new skills, complete assignments and interact with professors and classmates from your own computer.
  • Program faculty work with you to arrange field experiences and apply newly acquired skills in your home community.
  • Learning in an online environment offers more flexibility while also requiring more self direction and self motivation.

Program Completion

Instructions for Visually Impaired Learner Added Endorsement

Step 1 - Complete program requirements

  • Complete required coursework credits (these will vary from 35 to 47 credits; you and the program coordinator will have determined the required credits.)
  • Pass the Praxis Special Education: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
  • Complete two supervised 100-hour practica for a total of 200 hours

Step 2 - Apply for endorsement by submitting the following:

  • Program completion form 
  • Proof of passing Praxis Special Education: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
  • Submit a $25 processing fee via credit card (+$.63) via Cashnet

Step 3 - Review instructions for adding an endorsement to your existing Oregon teaching license.

Instructions for Visually Impaired Learner Initial Licensure

Step 1 - Complete program requirements

  • Complete required coursework credits (these will vary from 56 to 65 credits; you and the program coordinator will have determined the required credits.)
  • Pass the Praxis Special Education: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
  • Complete two supervised 100-hour practica and 400 hours student teaching for a total of 600 hours

Step 2 - Apply for a preliminary license by submitting the following:

  • Preliminary licensure request form
  • Proof of passing Praxis Special Education: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
  • The required $100 licensure fee will be charged to your student account.

Step 3 - Review instructions to apply for your Preliminary Teaching License in Oregon.