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VIL Course of Study

Visually Impaired Learner (VIL)

Course of Study

Program of study (endorsement only)

The program begins with a hybrid summer session with one week of face-to-face instruction on PSU campus and the remainder of the coursework online. The subsequent courses are delivered online and culminate with a final practicum experience in or near your local community.

Below is a sample endorsement program of study for a student with a special education licensure. 

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SPED 418/518 Survey of Exceptional Learners (3) 
SPED 548 Positive Behavior Support in the Classroom (3)
SPED 514 Legal and Ethical Foundations (3)
SPED 520 Collaboration (3)

If you have taken a similar course at another post-secondary institution, you may be allowed to substitute one or more prerequisite(s).

Year 1
Summer9 credits
  • SPED 540: Foundations (3 credits)
  • SPED 545: Intro to O&M (3 credits)
  • SPED 575: Braille III (AT) (3 credits)
Fall6 credits
  • SPED 541: Implications of Vision Problems (3 credits)
  • SPED 576: Visually Impaired Learners with Additional Disabilities (3 credits)
Winter6 credits
  • SPED 509: Practicum I (3 credits)+
  • SPED 546: Braille I (3 credits)
Spring5 credits
  • SPED 547: Braille II (2 credits)
  • SPED 542: Assessment of Visually Impaired Learner (3 credits)
Year 2
Summer3 credits
  • SPED 543: Reading and Literacy K-12: VIL (3 credits)
Fall6 credits
  • SPED 509: Practicum II (3 credits)+
  • SPED 544: Methods VIL (3 credits)

+ Minimum 10 hours/week of field placement working with school aged students with visual impairments in school settings. 


Program of study (initial licensure with master's degree)

The program begins with a hybrid summer session with one week of face-to-face instruction on PSU campus and the remainder of the coursework online. The subsequent courses  are delivered online and culminate with a student teaching experience in or near the student's local community. This 65-credit program for teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs) provides a master's degree and an initial licensure. Students complete the master’s core requirement.

This 65­ credit program for teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs) provides a master's degree and an initial licensure. Students complete the master’s core requirement.

Year 1
Summer12 credits
  • SPED 540: Foundations (3 credits)
  • SPED 545: Intro to O&M (3 credits)
  • SPED 514: Legal Foundations (3 credits)
  • SPED 575: Braille III (Access Technology) (3 credits)
Fall6 credits
  • SPED 541: Implications of Vision Problems (3 credits)
  • SPED 576: Visually Impaired Learners with Additional Disabilities (3 credits)
Winter6 credits
  • SPED 546: Braille I (3 credits)
  • SPED 509 I (3 credits)+
Spring5 credits
  • SPED 547: Braille II (2 credits)
  • SPED 542: Assessment of the Visually Impaired Learner (3 credits)
Year 2
Summer9 credits
  • SPED 596: Survey of Research (3 credits)*
  • SPED 543: Reading & Literacy K-12 (3 credits)
  • SPED 548: Positive Supports in the Classroom (3 credits)
Fall6 credits
  • SPED 509 II: Practicum II (3 credits) +
  • SPED 544: Methods VIL (3 credits)
Winter15 credits
  • SPED 597: Issues and Practices in Visual Impairments (3 credits)*
  • SPED 525: Student Teaching (12 credits)++
Spring6 credits
  • SPED 506: Special Projects (3 credits)*
  • SPED 520: Collaboration (3 credits)

+ Minimum 10 hours/week of field placement working with school aged students with visual impairments in school settings. 
++ Full time 40 hours/week student teaching.
* MS core classes


Program of study (endorsement with master's degree)

The program begins with a hybrid summer session with one week of face-to-face instruction on PSU campus and the remainder of the coursework online. The subsequent courses are delivered online and culminate with a final practicum experience in or near your local community.

Below is a sample endorsement plus master's degree program of study for a student with a special education licensure. 

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SPED 418/518 Survey of Exceptional Learners (3) 
SPED 548 Positive Behavior Support in the Classroom (3)
SPED 514 Legal and Ethical Foundations (3)
SPED 520 Collaboration (3)

If you have taken a similar course at another post-secondary institution, you may be allowed to substitute one or more prerequisite(s).

Year 1
Summer9 credits
  • SPED 540: Foundations (3 credits)
  • SPED 545: Intro to O&M (3 credits)
  • SPED 575: Braille III (AT) (3 credits)
Fall6 credits
  • SPED 541: Implications of Vision Problems (3 credits)
  • SPED 576: Visually Impaired Learners with Additional Disabilities (3 credits)
Winter6 credits
  • SPED 509: Practicum I (3 credits)+
  • SPED 546: Braille I (3 credits)
Spring5 credits
  • SPED 547: Braille II (2 credits)
  • SPED 542: Assessment of Visually Impaired Learner (3 credits)
Year 2
Summer6 credits
  • SPED 596: Survey of Research (3 credits)
  • SPED 543: Reading and Literacy K-12: VIL (3 credits)
Fall6 credits
  • SPED 509: Practicum II (3 credits)+
  • SPED 544: Methods VIL (3 credits)
Winter3 credits
  • SPED 597: Issues and Practices in Visual Impairments (3 credits)
Spring3 credits
  • SPED 506: Special Projects (3 credits)

+ Minimum 10 hours/week of field placement working with school aged students with visual impairments in school settings. 

Course descriptions

For course descriptions, please consult the  or .


Online Learning Format

Envision online learning...

  • Web-based courses support you to learn new skills, complete assignments and interact with professors and classmates from your own computer.
  • Program faculty work with you to arrange field experiences and apply newly acquired skills in your home community.
  • Learning in an online environment offers more flexibility while also requiring more self direction and self motivation.

Program Completion

Instructions for Visually Impaired Learner Added Endorsement

Step 1 - Complete program requirements

  • Complete required coursework credits (these will vary from 35 to 47 credits; you and the program coordinator will have determined the required credits.)
  • Pass the Praxis Special Education: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
  • Complete two supervised 100-hour practica for a total of 200 hours

Step 2 - Apply for endorsement by submitting the following:

  • Proof of passing Praxis Special Education: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
  • Submit a $25 processing fee via credit card (+$.63) via

Step 3 - Review instructions for to your existing Oregon teaching license.

Instructions for Visually Impaired Learner Initial Licensure

Step 1 - Complete program requirements

  • Complete required coursework credits (these will vary from 56 to 65 credits; you and the program coordinator will have determined the required credits.)
  • Pass the Praxis Special Education: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
  • Complete two supervised 100-hour practica and 400 hours student teaching for a total of 600 hours

Step 2 - Apply for a preliminary license by submitting the following:

  • Proof of passing Praxis Special Education: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
  • The required $100 licensure fee will be charged to your student account.

Step 3 - Review instructions to  in Oregon.