Process

• Students must complete a course from the Introduction to Visual Impairment in the first semester or have taken an equivalent course approved by Western Michigan University (WMU).
• Braille Code and Communications (I) must be completed prior to enrolling in Braille Code and Communications (II).
• Subsequent courses may be taken in any order and students may opt to take more than one course at a time.
• Students must take a course from each of the following areas (course titles and credit hours may vary depending on the university offering the course):
  • Introduction to Visual Impairment
  • Braille Code and Communications (I)
  • Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye
  • Assistive Technology for Visual Impairment
  • Instructional Strategies and Assessments for Students with a Vl
  • Braille Code and Communications (II)
  • Methods of Teaching Students with a VI
  • Principles of Orientation and Mobility
  • Implications of Low Vision
  • Practicum
• The practicum is the final course in this program. Students must obtain approval from WMU in order to begin the supervised practicum experience.
• Students are expected to maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 overall.
• Students must pass the practicum according to standards set by the university.
• Students must pass the Praxis test Special education: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments (5282) before the state will issue an endorsement. Preparation materials for the Praxis test are available online. Contact Robert Wall Emerson at [email protected] regarding partial reimbursement for the cost of the test.
• The advisor will determine if a course taken outside of the consortium is an acceptable replacement for one of the mandated courses.
• A transfer of course form must be completed by the advisor and retained in the file for the final audit.

Process Steps

1. Student interested in attaining additional endorsement in Visual Impairment (VI).
2. Student contacts WMU; WMU advises on program requirements.
3. Student provides WMU with documentation required for acceptance into program.
4. Once student is approved to join consortium program, WMU notifies other member institutions on new student.
5. Plan of study with schedule of course offerings at each university given to student by host university.
6. Student enrolls in courses at any of the approved universities/colleges.
7. Practicum Application is filled out and given to WMU.
8. Student must register and pass Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) for VI toward completion of program.
9. Student must meet with WMU to have audit done when program is complete.
10. Student applies through Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS).
11. Student sends all application and plan of study materials and official transcripts to Office of Special Education (OSE) and requests that each university send official transcript to OSE.
12. OSE does final audit and provides Office of Professional Preparation (OPPS) with audited student file to add endorsement.
13. OPPS adds endorsement to student's teaching certificate.