The Hunter College Master’s Degree 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. 

Program 1 (59 credits) is designed for candidates who have no initial New York State certification, while Program 2 (40 credits) is for teacher candidates who have initial certification in childhood education, middle school, or adolescent education. Upon completion of either program sequence, candidates will meet the academic requirements for NYS Certification as Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired. 

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 online 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:

• Foundations of Special Education
  
• 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 with Emphasis on Age Appropriate Skills.
  
• Communication and Educational Strategies for Learners Who are Deafblind
  
• Adaptive Equipment and Assistive Technology for Learners with Visual Impairments
  
• Collaborative Teaming in Inclusive Environments
  
• Effective Partnerships with Parents/Families