Program Details | Visually Impaired Learner

Total creditsEstimated resident costEstimated Washington border costEstimated non-resident cost
Master's Degree - 65$35,570$35,570$35,570
Graduate Certificate - 35$19,444$19,444$19,444

Program cost estimates are based on 2024/25 PSU tuition and fees only. This chart is provided to help you estimate the minimum tuition and fees for program completion. Additional fees may apply depending on the course of study that you choose to pursue and the specific courses for which you enroll, so you may also find it useful to review detailed tuition and fee information and the full cost of attendance for PSU programs.

Financial aid and scholarship options may be available to offset program costs. Visit COE Scholarships for specific details on how to qualify and apply.

Program of study (graduate certificate with endorsement)

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 (master's degree with initial licensure)

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 (master's degree with endorsement)

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

Once you have finished all of the added endorsement program's requirements (coursework, test, practicum), follow all steps of the instructions for adding an endorsement.

You must complete all program requirements before beginning the instructions for adding an endorsement.

Instructions for Visually Impaired Learner Preliminary Licensure

Once you have finished all of the Visually Impaired Learner's program's requirements (coursework, test, practicum), follow all steps of the instructions for preliminary teachers

You must complete all program requirements before beginning the instructions for preliminary teachers.

General licensure questions? Contact Licensure directly.