Master of Education in
                       Visual Impairment
                            at SFASU
      Click on one of the options below:
      • General Requirements for Obtaining an MEd
      • Classes Required for an MEd
      • If you don't have a teacher's certificate. . .
      • Procedure for Filing a Degree Plan
      • For more information . . .
      GENERAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
      FOR OBTAINING
      A MEd IN VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
      1.    A completed Graduate School Application, which can be obtained by clicking HERE. Make sure that you have specified that you are seeking a Masters in Education in Visual Impairment.

      2.    Official transcripts from ALL institutions of higher learning that you have attended.

      3.    Verbal and Quantitative Gradurate Record Examination (GRE) scores. The student must have GRE scores which produce a factor score of at least 2000 when the combined Verbal and Quantitative GRE scores are multiplied by the GPA of the student's last 60 undergraduate hours.

      4.    An overall GPA of at least 2.5 with a GPA of 2.8 for the last 60 hours of your bachelor degree.

      5.    Three letters of recommendation.

      6.    A typed, double-spaced written statement describing the student's experience in the field of special education and/or visual impairment and the student's philosophy of educating students with special needs.

      A MAXIMUM OF 12 SEMESTER HOURS MAY BE TAKEN BEFORE ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION ARE COMPLETED.
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      CLASSES REQUIRED FOR AN MEd
      IN VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

      SPE 515 Programs and Services for Individual with Visual Impairment (required for VI teaching certificate)

      SPE 516 Anatomy and Function of the Visual System (required for VI teaching certificate)

      SPE 517 Communication Skills for Individuals with Visual Impairments (Braille) (required for VI teaching certificate)

      SPE 518 Basic Orientation and Mobility (required for VI teaching certificate)

      SPE 551 Instructional Strategies for Individuals with Visual Impairment Only (Academic Methods) (required for VI teaching certificate)

      SPE 552 Instructional Strategies for Individuals with Visual and Multiple Impairments (required for VI teaching certificate)

      SPE 553 Technology for Persons with Visual Impairments

      SPE 554 Advanced Assessment and Instructional Strategies in Low Vision

      SPE 556 Infancy and Early Childhood for Individuals with Visual Impairment

      SPE 570 Special Problems in Special Problems in Special Education

      SPE 555 Practicum Special Education (maximum of 350 hours) (required for VI teaching certificate)
       

      GENERAL SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES

      EPS 559  Tests and Measures

      SPE 567 Graduate Survey of Exceptionalities

      SPE 532 Educational Appraisal
       
       

      To add an O&M Certificate – 18 hours

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      THE POST-BACCALAUREATE INITIAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (PBIC)
      The College of Education at SFASU offers the PBIC program for students who have already completed undergraduate degrees, but who do no currently hold a Texas Teaching Certificate. In order to qualify for this program, a student must meet the following requirements:
       
        • A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
        • MinimumGPA of 2.5.
        • A certification plan.
        • General education to include computer and oral communication skills.
        • One teaching field.
        • Passing TASP scores.
       

      The classes below are taken from the SFASU Graduate Bulletin for 1998-2000. The student is cautioned to check with an advisor in the PBIC program by calling 409-468-2904 to be sure these are the current course requirements.
       

        EPS 380 -- Educational Psychology
        RDG 312 -- Skills for Reading
        RDG 412 -- Reading Disabilities
            or RDG 416 -- Reading as a Language Process
        ELE 533 -- Survey of Teaching
        ELE 521 -- Mathematics in the Elementary School
        ELE 522 -- Science in Elementary School
        ELE 523 -- Social Studies in Elementary School
        ELE 441 -- Student Teaching (12 hours) or Internship (6 hours)
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      PROCEDURES FOR FILING
      A DEGREE PLAN
      The following steps should be taken in order as you prepare to begin your degree:

      1.    Contact Dr. Mercer to discuss the program and requirements.

      2.    Complete all of the Admission Requirements.

      3.    With Dr. Mercer, fill out a Degree Plan.

      4.    Begin taking classes.

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      FOR MORE INFORMATION

      If you have questions, or need more information about the MEd, please contact:
       

          Dr. Dixie Mercer
          Stephen F. Austin State University
          Department of Human Services
          Box 13019 -- SFA Station
          Nacogdoches, TX 75962

          Phone: 409 468 1142
          Fax:  409 468 1342
          Email: dmercer@sfasu.edu

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