The College of Education at Missouri State University is pleased to offer the state's only program to prepare teachers to work with children and adults with visual impairments.  This program is accredited by the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER).  This visual impairment program (VIP) has also been approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MoDESE).  In response to the state-wide shortage of teachers trained to work with students who are visually impaired, Missouri State University offers an alternative certification program in visual impairments (VI).  The alternative certification program allows both currently certified teachers and candidates with a bachelor's degree but no certification to earn their initial certificate in VI (Blind and Partially Sighted) Birth - Grade 12.  In addition to the above mentioned methods of certification, out of state students who wish to add VI certification in their home state should contact their State Department of Education to learn if the Missouri State University VI program meets their state’s requirements for VI certification.

In order to offer the program throughout the state of Missouri, students complete 18 hours of master’s level VI coursework online through distance learning at Missouri State University, and an additional 3 hours of field based practicum.  This allows students to take classes from their own personal computer via the Internet and demonstrate mastery of competencies in instructional settings in close proximity of work and/or home.   Those without a current teaching certificate must also complete 12 hours of specific education coursework.  If this coursework is taken at any College or University other than Missouri State University, the Coordinator of Certification will review transcripts to determine if courses will count toward certification.

Students who wish to complete additional coursework beyond the required 21 hours in order to complete a Master of Science in Education (MSED) in Special Education with emphasis in VI, need to begin the process by applying to the graduate college.  If interested in pursuing a master’s degree, it is important to apply before completing 9 hours of VI coursework.  If a graduate application is not submitted prior to 9 hours, any coursework beyond 9 hours will not be counted toward the master’s degree.