Description of the Program The Visual Impairments Concentration is for individuals interested in working with students with visual impairments, blindness, and deafblindness. This program leads to an ALSDE Class A teaching certificate in Visual Impairments (P-12). Admission Requirements Hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree; Hold a teaching certificate in any area; Pass the GRE/MAT requirements, OR have 3 years of successful teaching, OR 3.0 undergraduate cumulative GPA, OR other master's degree. How to Apply To be considered for admission to all subjects/concentrations of the Master’s of Education program, applicants must complete the following steps: Create your Charger Status account and submit the UAH graduate application for admission. Submit official college transcript to the UAH Graduate Admissions Office through an electronic delivery service. UAH Graduate Admissions accepts official transcripts from Parchment and Student Clearinghouse. Upload the following items directly to your application through Charger Status. Personal Statement Valid ALSDE Teaching Certificate (certificates from other states may be considered) Please note, a GRE or MAT score may be required upon the review of your application. Degree Requirements Core Courses = 4 courses (12 hours) ED 530 Applied Multiculturalism 3 hours Online Through an examination of constructs such as race, ethnicity, social class, gender, sexual orientation, and religious affiliation, students will develop a theoretical understanding of the connections between identity, difference, power, and privilege and the role(s) schools (could/should) play in perpetuating or ending discriminatory practices. Furthermore and importantly, students will develop an understanding of the ways research in both the humanities and social sciences can be used to interpret, analyze, and critique multiculturalism. ED 535 Introduction to Applied Educational Research 3 hours Online Introduction to the nature of research and its relationship to educational thought and practice. Primary focus will be on planning and executing research activities(i.e. action research, thesis development) in the diverse classroom and analyzing the collected data to improve instruction, educational performance and adding to the body of knowledge on educational practices. ED 570 Differentiated Instruction for Special Populations 3 hours Online Provides practical strategies to maximize learning for all students, particularly those with disabilities, gifted/talented, and English language learners (ELL). Students will learn to utilize differentiated instruction to benefit both general and special education students simultaneously. This will include learning to select,implement, and evaluate lesson accommodations and modifications for students with exceptional needs. ED 565 Introduction to Differentiated Instruction 3 hours Online Provides an introduction to the philosophy and practice of differentiation. Examines the elements, content, process, product, affect and learning environment, by which instruction can be differentiated to address the complex challenges of meeting the diverse learning needs of all students. Concentration Courses = 6 courses (18 hours) EDC 551 Foundations of Visual Impairments (offered Spring semester only, 7 weeks) 3 hours Online Introduction to academic language found within the profession of special education of students with visual impairments. Examines standards, organizations, programs, and services for students with visual impairments. Studies the basic anatomy, diseases, and disorders of the visual system. EDC 652 Introduction to Orientation and Mobility (offered Spring semester only, 7 weeks) 3 hours Online Examines the psychosocial implications of blindness, with a particular focus on independence. Exploration of basic orientation mobility concepts including human guide and basic independent travel through the use of verbal description and tactile graphics. EDC 653 Practicum for Teaching Students with Visual Impairments (offered Summer only, 10 weeks) 3 hours Online Examines the strategies used to make education accessible to students with visual impairments through the creation of high-quality accommodations and/or modifications. Topics include organization, assessment, early intervention, and the expanded core curriculum. EDC 654 Introduction to Braille Literacy (offered Fall only, 15 weeks) 3 hours Online Focused exploration of braille, braille literacy, and braille assessment. EDC 657 Advanced Braille and Assistive Technology (offered Spring only, 15 weeks) 3 hours Online Focused exploration of the advanced braille for use in various contexts (STEM, music, foreign language), assistive technology and STEM education for students with visual impairments. Prerequisite is EDC 654. EDC 656 Programs for Students with Visual Impairments and Multiple Disabilities/Deafblind (Summer only, 10 weeks) 3 hours Online Intensive examination of curricular adaptations, assessment, and intervention for students with multiple disabilities and visual impairments or deafblindness. Action Research Project = 1 course (3 hours) ED 690 Master's Action Research Project 3 hours Online After the completion of the courses, advanced candidates will complete a summative action research project. Working with an individual faculty member, the action research will be planned, completed, and presented for the department. If you have additional questions or need advisement about the M.Ed. in Visual Impairments program, please contact: Dr. Derrick Smith dws0009@uah.edu 256-824-3048