VIDBE-Q Volume 65 Issue 3
York City to be teachers. In that tradition, the programs for aspiring teachers of
students with visual impairments (TVIs) was founded over 50 years ago and
continues to serve a diverse student population. In 1991, professional preparation
programs in Vision Rehabilitation Teaching (VRT) and Orientation and Mobility
(O&M) were added. Since 2000, the VRT and O&M programs have been able to
accept students from across the U.S. by using a hybrid model of online instruction
during the regular academic year and in-person summer labs held at the Helen
Keller National Center on Long Island, NY. All vision education programs are at
the graduate level. There are six different programs under the umbrella of vision
education: TVI master's (with/ without prior certification), TVI Advanced
Certificate (for those who already have a master's in teaching in another subject
area), O&M Advanced Certificate, VRT master's and VRT with O&M
certification master's. Our programs on visual impairment are also coordinated in
conjunction with our special education program in severe/ multiple disabilities.
Additionally, students in upstate NY are able to participate in the TVI Advanced
Certificate program entirely remotely, participating in synchronous classes using
Zoom and other technology. (This also helped us provide a smooth transition to
remote learning for all local students when COVID restrictions began.)
As a public university, Hunter College strives to maintain an accessible
tuition rate. The New York City Department of Education offers a full scholarship
