The Hunter College Advanced Certificate in Blind and Visually Impaired focuses on preparing teachers to work in programs for infants, toddlers, children and youth who are blind and visually impaired including those with multiple disabilities in specialized and inclusive settings in New York City and in other school districts within the metropolitan area. Teacher candidates are prepared to teach children in early childhood, childhood, middle childhood, and secondary programs. Upon completion of this 22 credit program sequence, teacher candidates will meet the academic requirements for NYS Certification as Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired.  Applicants must hold a master’s degree and New York State certification in special education.

The program is designed to enable full-time or part-time students to participate. Classes are held in the late afternoon and evenings, as well as on weekends. Some of the courses are offered partly on line to enable non-traditional students to participate off campus for some classes.  Student teaching, however, takes place during the school day.
Emphasis is on collaboration between Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs), Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and other special and general educators to prepare teacher candidates to improve the quality of learning and increase educational opportunities and standards for all learners. The focus is on development of competencies in coursework and practicum in the following areas:

• Assessment of Learners who are Blind and Low vision including those with Multiple Disabilities
• Implications of Visual Impairments and other Medical Disorders on programming
• Psychological Adjustment to Visual Impairment
• Enhancement of Functional Vision
•  Curriculum Strategies/Adaptations in Core and Expanded Core areas
• Communication and Educational Strategies for Learners Who are Deafblind
• Adaptive Equipment and Assistive Technology for Learners with Visual Impairments
• Collaborative Teaming
• Effective Partnerships with Parents/Families

Candidates accepted to Hunter College are eligible for tuition assistance for this 22-credit Advanced Certificate program through the New York State Education Department Intensive Teacher Institute (ITI) for Teachers of the Blind and Visually Impaired grant award to Hunter College. Students who are awarded these grant funds sign a service agreement form indicating they will work as a TVI for two years upon completion of this program. Students who do not complete the program or do not achieve a “B” grade in each course are required to reimburse Hunter for all tuition support received. For further information contact Rosanne K. Silberman rsilberm@hunter.cuny.edu.