Special Education: Visual Impairments

The Master of Education in visual impairments is offered by Trevecca’s Vision Institute to equip participants specifically to teach students with visual impairments and other disability types. An endorsement-only option allows teachers to add an endorsement in special education vision pre-K-12 to their existing teaching license without pursuing the full degree.

Program Benefits

  • Complete your degree in 13 months with a supportive cohort of students working toward similar goals.
  • Reap the educational benefits of our partnership with the Tennessee School for the Blind in Nashville. 
  • Enjoy the collaborative learning environments fostered by our small class sizes.
  • Learn from faculty who possess the highest degrees in their fields and have relevant and valuable real-world experience.

What to Expect

The Master of Education in visual impairments is offered by Trevecca’s Vision Institute to equip Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs). We partner with the Tennessee School for the Blind in Nashville to bring the best of theory and practice together. Our curriculum covers topics such as the anatomy of the eye; the fundamentals of visual impairments; cultural competencies; interdisciplinary and differentiated teaching strategies; visual impairment assessments; and special education law. During the program you’ll also learn how to read and write Braille.

If you have an existing teaching license and aren’t interested in the full master’s degree, you can choose our add-on option. This allows you to add the Tennessee Endorsement Code in special education vision pre-K-12 to your license after completing 15-18 hours of coursework and passing the Praxis exam. 

Why Choose Trevecca?

Founded in 1901 and a leader in online education for more than two decades, Trevecca helps students discover and pursue an individual calling by providing innovative instruction; cultivating a supportive, Christ-centered community; and establishing relationships that open doors.

Highest Rating 2023 Educator Preparation Report Card, Tennessee State Board of EducationRecognized nationally and locally for academic quality, Trevecca has earned a reputation for providing the world with servant leaders, problem solvers and difference makers. Trevecca’s holistic approach to education encompasses intellectual, social, emotional, physical and spiritual growth.

CAEP-Accredited-ShieldTrevecca’s School of Education degree programs meet the rigorous national standards for education preparation established by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through content and pedagogy, clinical partnerships and practice, candidate recruitment, progression and support, program impact, quality assurance and continuous improvement.

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Course Descriptions

Get details on all the courses you’ll complete as you work toward this degree at Trevecca.

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Financial Aid & Costs

Financial Aid & Costs

Nearly every student at Trevecca receives some form of assistance in paying for college. Learn all about the affordability of a TNU education and options for receiving aid.

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Career Opportunities

With a Master of Education in visual impairments, you’ll be ready to serve and teach the students who have visual impairments or other disabilities. Possible roles include:

  • Special education teacher (pre-K–12)
  • Special education administrator
  • Special education instructor in private or nonprofit businesses
  • Special education advocate
  • Special education tutor
  • Current teaching license
  • List of three references with contact information
  • Score report on the MAT (minimum 378) or GRE (minimum 290 current format
  • Signed nomination and support letter

"Not only did Trevecca prepare me to be the best educator that I can be, but the School of Education pushed me to grow in my walk with Christ."

Kassandra Robinson Trevecca graduate

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Course Descriptions

Get details on all the courses you’ll complete as you work toward this degree at Trevecca.


Special Education and Visual Impairments
VIS 6010

Provides fundamentals of physical, cognitive, perceptual, and psychological development of individuals with varying exceptionalities with a focus on individuals with visual impairments and multiple exceptionalities. Includes a focus on research-based theories, relevant laws and policies, diverse and historical points of view, and issues in special education.

Diversity in Classrooms and Schools
EDU 6075

Provides an overview of the diverse educational needs, challenges, opportunities, and rewards that teachers encounter as they seek to effectively meet the needs of learners in diverse classrooms and schools. Candidates will examine diversity research on topics such as socioeconomics, exceptionalities, race and ethnicity, linguistics, learning styles, and genders. A focus will be on the at-risk student and equipping students with tools to make choices. Candidates will be equipped with tools and instructional strategies to effectively create learning opportunities and a positive classroom environment that fosters student achievement.

Advanced Braille
VIS 6030

Provides advanced skills in reading and writing Braille using a Braille writer and slate and stylus as well as methodology for teaching Braille reading and writing. Includes a focus on teaching and using Braille within content areas. Provides a supervised experience working with individuals who are visually impaired, PreK- age 21. Candidates will complete a total of 30 hours to include classroom experience in science, social studies/history, and Braille classes at the Tennessee School for the Blind; 6 hours with an Itinerant teacher; and an overnight experience at the Tennessee School for the Blind.

Interdisciplinary Teaching
EDU 6080

Examines strategies to effectively support interdisciplinary instruction and assessment to address the complex challenges of providing quality instruction to a class of diverse learners. Candidates will explore interdisciplinary curriculum and learn effective strategies integrating all content areas for enhanced instruction. The focus will be on individuals with visual impairments both in a specialized classroom and in a full inclusion environment.

Differentiated Teaching
EDU 6085

Examines strategies to effectively support differentiated instruction and assessment to address the complex challenges of providing quality instruction to a class of diverse learners. Focuses on providing students with multiple options for learning, applying information, and expressing what they learn. Candidates will explore the research on differentiated instruction and learn effective strategies for managing flexible groups, providing students with a variety of options to maximize learning, and planning strategically for classroom management issues. The focus will be on individuals with visual impairments both in a specialized classroom and in a full inclusion environment. Provides a supervised experience working with individuals who are visually impaired, PreK-age 21. Candidates will complete a total of 30 hours to include classroom experience in mathematics, reading, and Braille classes at Tennessee School for the Blind; 6 hours with an Itinerant teacher; and an overnight experience at the Tennessee School for the Blind.

Expanded Core Curriculum
VIS 6060

Provides an understanding that students with visual impairments require a curriculum beyond content standards to meet independent and functional living goals. Candidates will gain understanding and practical experience with orientation, mobility, and specialized supports. Instruction will include increasing self-awareness, self-management, self-control, self-reliance, and self-advocacy of students with visual impairments and multiple exceptionalities in the home, community, and school. In addition, a focus will include awareness, acceptance, and appreciation for students with visual impairments and multiple exceptionalities in the home, community, and school.

Nemeth Code
VIS 6065

Focuses on Nemeth Code to study mathematics and other content areas that include mathematics such as science, geography, and others.

Assessment for Visual Impairments
VIS 6070

Examines and explores the unique educational needs of individuals with visual impairments with a focus on individuals with multiple exceptionalities. Candidates will explore and use various techniques for assessment individuals in a full array of educational and community settings. Included is the planning of an education program for students with visual impairments.

Braille Reading and Writing
VIS 6015

Provides fundamentals in reading and writing Braille and using a Braille writer. Methodologies in teaching, reading, and writing Braille will be a focus. Includes a component of teaching Braille within the content areas. There will be a focus on developing strategies for teaching pre-Braille tactile readiness and higher level techniques of Braille reading and writing.

Braille Basics
VIS 6025
Provides an introduction to Braille and using a Braille writer. Candidates will gain basic knowledge of Braille, basic methods of using a Braille writer, and gain beginning concepts to reading and writing Braille.
Anatomy and Issues of Visual Learning
VIS 6045

Provides an understanding of the physical structures of the eyes and their functions. Includes an understanding of the pathologies that affect the visual system and how they impact the functioning of an individual. A focus will include understanding visual assessments and interpretation of clinical reports.

Exit Assessment
VIS 6090

Presentation of portfolio.

TVI Endorsement Track

*This track is for those already holding a valid Tennessee Teacher's License.

Special Education and Visual Impairments
VIS 6010

Provides fundamentals of physical, cognitive, perceptual, and psychological development of individuals with varying exceptionalities with a focus on individuals with visual impairments and multiple exceptionalities. Includes a focus on research-based theories, relevant laws and policies, diverse and historical points of view, and issues in special education.

Differentiated Teaching
EDU 6085

Examines strategies to effectively support differentiated instruction and assessment to address the complex challenges of providing quality instruction to a class of diverse learners. Focuses on providing students with multiple options for learning, applying information, and expressing what they learn. Candidates will explore the research on differentiated instruction and learn effective strategies for managing flexible groups, providing students with a variety of options to maximize learning, and planning strategically for classroom management issues. The focus will be on individuals with visual impairments both in a specialized classroom and in a full inclusion environment. Provides a supervised experience working with individuals who are visually impaired, PreK-age 21. Candidates will complete a total of 30 hours to include classroom experience in mathematics, reading, and Braille classes at Tennessee School for the Blind; 6 hours with an Itinerant teacher; and an overnight experience at the Tennessee School for the Blind.

Expanded Core Curriculum
VIS 6060

Provides an understanding that students with visual impairments require a curriculum beyond content standards to meet independent and functional living goals. Candidates will gain understanding and practical experience with orientation, mobility, and specialized supports. Instruction will include increasing self-awareness, self-management, self-control, self-reliance, and self-advocacy of students with visual impairments and multiple exceptionalities in the home, community, and school. In addition, a focus will include awareness, acceptance, and appreciation for students with visual impairments and multiple exceptionalities in the home, community, and school.

Assessment for Visual Impairments
VIS 6070

Examines and explores the unique educational needs of individuals with visual impairments with a focus on individuals with multiple exceptionalities. Candidates will explore and use various techniques for assessment individuals in a full array of educational and community settings. Included is the planning of an education program for students with visual impairments.

Braille Reading and Writing
VIS 6015

Provides fundamentals in reading and writing Braille and using a Braille writer. Methodologies in teaching, reading, and writing Braille will be a focus. Includes a component of teaching Braille within the content areas. There will be a focus on developing strategies for teaching pre-Braille tactile readiness and higher level techniques of Braille reading and writing.

Anatomy and Issues of Visual Learning
VIS 6045

Provides an understanding of the physical structures of the eyes and their functions. Includes an understanding of the pathologies that affect the visual system and how they impact the functioning of an individual. A focus will include understanding visual assessments and interpretation of clinical reports.

*VIS 6010 is only required for those candidates who do not have a SPED license.
*For a complete list of courses, tracks and other relevant information, view the program's course catalog.