Graduate Certificate in Orientation and Mobility
Do you have a passion for helping those who are blind or visually impaired? Do you have an interest in and aptitude for teaching people with visual impairments how to travel? Do you already have experience or training in visual impairment? We designed this program with you in mind. We prepare vision professionals to advance their careers through additional knowledge in orientation and mobility to help those who are blind, visually impaired or have functional visual limitations.
This graduate certificate will allow a student to take the needed courses to become a certified orientation and mobility specialist in fewer credit hours than the Masters in Orientation and Mobility. The required credit hours for the graduate O&M certificate program is 32, but those who already have a related degree (e.g., vision rehabilitation therapy, teacher of children with visual impairments, etc.) may be able to complete the program with as few as 21 credit hours. The credits required to complete the program will be determined upon our review of transcripts and syllabi of the relevant courses previously taken. Classes can be completed largely online or in person but each process requires some in person coursework. A field experience is required for the completion of the certificate.
Curriculum
The required courses for the O&M graduate certificate program are as follows:
- BLS 5870 – Individuals with Complex and Diverse Needs (2 credits)
- BLS 5900 – Physiology and Function of the Eye (2 credits)
- BLS 5915 – Braille for Orientation and Mobility Specialists (1 credit)
- BLS 5920 – Orientation and Mobility for Children (3 credits)
- BLS 5950 – Introduction to Methods of Orientation and Mobility (4 credits)
- BLS 5960 – Electronic Devices for Travel (1 credit)
- BLS 5970 – Principles of Low Vision (2 credits)
- BLS 6030 – Development through the Lifespan (3 credits)
- BLS 6040 – Issues in Independent Travel (2 credits)
- BLS 6050 – Practice in Low Vision (1 credit)
- BLS 6940 – Principles in Orientation and Mobility (3 credits)
- BLS 6950 – Practicum in Orientation and Mobility (2 credits)
- BLS 7120 – Professional Field Experience (Internship) (6 credits)