Program Overview
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Site: Extended Campus/Distance
Mode: Online
Start term: Summer, Fall, Spring
Director: Corey Pierce, Ph.D.
Location: McKee 36
Telephone: 970.351.2691
Website: www.unco.edu/cebs/special-education/
The MA degree in Special Education with a Visual Impairment Concentration is designed to prepare teachers who will work with students who are visually impaired. The program consists of the required courses and practicum requirements agreed upon by the student and advisor. Students entering the Master of Arts program in Special Education: Visual Impairment without a current teacher licensure are required to complete additional course requirements listed under Professional Teacher Education. Students may complete licensure and degree requirements in a minimum of 42 credits if they desire licensure of education of students with visual impairments only. Students seeking an added endorsement in Orientation and Mobility may complete this 15 credit program in consultation with their program advisor.
See program requirements
Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Endorsement
Comprehensive Examination: In addition to admission to the program and satisfactory completion of all coursework, each student must pass a written comprehensive examination before they are allowed to graduate.
Evaluation. Evaluation of the student's professional potential will be an ongoing process throughout the program. Continuation/exit requirements will be based on multiple criteria such as faculty interview, professional recommendations, recommendations of the advisor or other program faculty, academic ethics, successful completion of the comprehensive examination and potential for teaching handicapped infants and adults. The multiple criteria approach does not assume that each of these factors carry equal weights; any one factor might well outweigh all others.
Licensure. Students who seek Colorado licensure in an area of Special Education or request an institutional recommendation for licensure from UNC must meet Colorado teacher licensure requirements.
Students wishing to obtain Colorado licensure are required to pass proficiency examination(s). Students should contact the School of Special Education in McKee for information.
A master's degree or a school approved licensure program is required before the University of Northern Colorado will recommend the student for endorsement.
Admission
General Master's Degree Admission Requirements
Program Requirements:
The student must possess a grade point average on the last 60 semester hours of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, provide a minimum of two letters of recommendation from previous employers or academic professors, provide a statement of philosophy and goals of application in relation to the needs in the field and, if possible, arrange for a personal interview. Acceptance or rejection of an applicant will be made after an evaluation of all of the above requirements is made.
Students entering the licensure program must meet the same entrance requirements as the Master's degree students. They must also demonstrate achievement of all program standards through a combination of UNC coursework, prior coursework, or other approved documentation and completion of a licensure examination. However, a minimum of 15 semester hours must be taken at UNC.