PCO TVI Program Recruiting for Fulltime Students to Begin Summer 2008
To alleviate the immediate need for teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs), Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) is offering generous tuition scholarships for full-time study to four qualified individuals who already have special education certification and who wish to obtain PA certification as teachers of the students with visual impairments.
Scholarship awardees will
- Begin study at PCO in the summer of 2008, complete all didactic coursework by fall 2009, and complete internship in fall 2009
- Receive a 80% tuition scholarship in the Department of Graduate Studies in Vision Impairment at Pennsylvania College of Optometry
- Receive a book stipend for each the 5 semesters while in the program
- Adhere to a full-time course of study and may not continue employment during their time in the program.
PCO’s Department of Graduate Studies in Visual Impairment offers all fall and spring coursework online, and these courses may be completed from any location as long as the student has internet access. Students must attend face-to-face classes at PCO’s Elkins Park, PA campus during the summers of 2008 and 2009. Additionally, students will complete 12 weeks of full-time internship under the supervision of a cooperating teacher who is certified as a teacher of students with visual impairments. Over the course of 5 semesters, full-time TVI students will complete 35.5 semester hours of graduate-level study.
Scholarship monies are provided through a grant to PCO by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. Receipt of tuition monies and stipends requires service payback which must be satisfied teaching students with visual impairments in the United States.
Applications must be received by March 15, 2008 and may be found at http://www.pco.edu/grad/tvi/grad_tvi.htm. Current PA and federal background clearances must be submitted at the time of application.
For more information about this scholarship opportunity, contact Dr. Missy Garber mgarber@pco.edu (215) 780-1502. Interested candidates should respond as soon as possible to assure they are eligible for this opportunity.
If you or someone you know is a special education teacher or has just graduated and obtained special education certification and is interested in working with students with visual impairments, this is an opportunity that should not be passed up.