To qualify for the endorsement for Visual Impairments a person must:

1. Have completed a program of preparation for teaching pupils who have visual impairments which has been approved by the Board; or

2. Hold a license or certificate, issued by another state, with an endorsement to teach visual impairments; or

3. Hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the area of visual impairments and have completed 8 semester credits of student teaching, equivalent field experience or 1 year of verifiable teaching experience with such pupils; or

4. Hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree and:
    

   1. Have completed 8 semester hours of student teaching of pupils who have visual impairments, equivalent field experience with such pupils or 1 year of verifiable teaching experience with such pupils; and

   2. Have completed 18 semester credits of course work in any of the following areas:

1. Introduction to special education or the education of pupils who have disabilities;

2. Development of the curriculum and methods for assessing and teaching pupils who are blind or have visual impairments;

3. Beginning braille;

4. Advanced braille;

5. Parental involvement in programs for pupils who have disabilities;

6. Rehabilitative services, education or planning for the transition of pupils who have disabilities from their current placement to placement in additional educational programs, employment and living independently as an adult;

7. Psychological and social aspects of blindness;

8. Physiological aspects of blindness; or

9. Orientation and mobility or low vision.

NOTE: Some colleges/universities combine subject matter into one course. We will accept one course that encompasses two areas listed above if the course was specifically designed to fulfill more than one area and is a minimum of three (3) semester credits; however, the allowance will only be made once.