Programs in Low Vision Rehabilitation
Career Opportunities
Program graduates work in low vision clinics, rehabilitation centers and agencies, private practices, schools and other special education settings. As specialists in low vision, graduates provide consulting, coordinating and direct services to people with low vision and provide in-service training to other professionals. Some choose to become researchers specializing in low vision.
Attention all Low Vision Rehabilitation students!
The Veterans Administration will establish 55 NEW low vision clinics within the next few years (sites to be determined). Each clinic will require at least one half-time Optometrist or Ophthalmologist, one full-time Low Vision Therapist, and possibly a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist and/or Orientation and Mobility Specialist. Please contact Kerry Lueders (klueders@pco.edu) for more information.
Programs
The Department of Graduate Studies in Vision Impairment offers a Certificate Program and a Master of Science Program in Low Vision Rehabilitation. These Programs prepare professionals in rehabilitation, eye care, education, and other related fields to work more effectively with people who have low vision. Emphasis is placed on an interdisciplinary team approach to service delivery. Program participants represent disciplines such as rehabilitation counseling, vision rehabilitation therapy, special education, orientation and mobility, occupational therapy, social work, optometry and ophthalmology. The program is available on-line with a four (4) week summer residency program and an internship.
Course Sequence and Prerequisites
Both the Master of Science degree and the Certificate Program require didactic course work. Methods, research, and foundation courses related to the eye and low vision must be completed in a prescribed manner. The program can be taken part-time or full-time. Full-time, however, is available alternate years. All didactic course work must be completed prior to entry into the off-campus internship. A faculty advisor along with the student develops a sequence of study. Each student designs an Individualized Program of Studies (IPS) to ensure appropriate course sequencing and integration.
Computer Literacy
The Department of Graduate Studies in Vision Impairment requires graduate students to be computer literate upon entry into their respective programs of study. All instructors will expect students to have basic word processing, power point and spreadsheet knowledge and ability. Prior to entering the program, students who lack basic skills in using the computer for word processing should take a basic beginners computer course from a local computer education program at a community college, college/university, or a computer education service. After entering the program, students needing additional computer assistance may find help in the college’s Computer Assisted Learning Center. Master degree candidates should assess their competence in algebra and refresh their knowledge base as needed. The research instructor will assume that students in research classes know how to use a computer for word processing and have a basic understanding of algebra.
Scholarships Available to Study Low Vision Rehabilitation
Graduate Studies Awarded $500,000 for 5 Year Training Grant for Low Vision Rehabilitation Specialists
Graduate Studies in Vision Impairment was awarded a "Low Vision Rehabilitation Training Project" grant from the U. S. Department of Education , Rehabilitation Services Administration. The Project Director is Dr. Audrey J. Smith. Other project personnel include Marcy Graboyes, Almeda Ruger, Eileen Schannel--Klitsch, Laurel Leigh, and Fabiana Perla. In addition several project consultants who are former PCO-Graduate Studies faculty are involved, such as Dr Duane Geruschat and Gale Watson. In addition the Department of Academic Computing services is included.
The purpose of the project is to offer a predominantly on-line Masters and Certificate Program in Low Vision Rehabilitation with a summer residency and internship that will be feasible for individuals who are currently employed throughout the united states. The project will produce video CD ROMs that demonstrate low vision assessment and intervention strategies and produce a set of modules on multiple impairment and low vision topics to be taken on-line by students ad professional to upgrade their skills. The project will also create a living history of low vision services through interviews with leaders in the field.
All programs offered through this project reflect a competency-based curriculum developed my multi-disciplinary low vision experts nationwide, approved by the PA Dept. of Education and accredited by he Commission on Higher Education, Middle States Association. Seventy-five percent of the funds will be dedicated toward student training scholarships.
For more information contact:
Kerry S. Lueders, Coordinator
Low Vision Rehabilitation Program
klueders@pco.edu or voice 215-780-1366