O&M instructors teach individuals who are blind and visually impaired techniques for safe, independent travel, often using a white cane. They prepare their learners to travel in a variety of environments, from self-contained residential programs to fully independent travel in unfamiliar environments including urban areas.
RTs teach individuals who are blind and visually impaired in techniques for safe, independent self-care, home management, adaptive kitchen skills, and communication skills (including braille). They teach life skills in people's homes as well as in center-based rehabilitation programs.
TVIs instruct and provide support services to enable children who are blind and visually impaired to participate in the least restrictive environment (often mainstream classrooms) in which they are capable of learning. They work not only with children who are visually impaired and their families, but with school personnel, most often as an itinerant or resource room teacher.
Yes, it is possible to be certified in any or all of the above concentrations.
The prospects for now and the foreseeable future are excellent, particularly if graduates are willing to relocate. Research has shown that at the current rate of graduation of specialists in the field, we will not be able to keep up with the needs of visually impaired individuals. In fact, many of our graduates are recruited by the personnel at the sites where they do student teaching or complete their internship.
Undergraduate applications
For undergraduate applications for the major in special education for teaching students who have visual disabilities, use code 177.
Graduate School applications only
TVIs should use code 204 (Visual Impairments). This code should be used by all persons who intend to pursue special education teacher certification whether or not their ultimate goal is to teach in Illinois. Degrees awarded at NIU are recognized in all 50 states; in addition, Illinois has teacher certification reciprocity with most other states.
Rehabilitation teachers should use code 203 (Blind Rehabilitation); Orientation & Mobility majors should use code 188 (Orientation & Mobility). RTs and O&Ms are eligible to take the national board examinations and apply for certification from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professional.
Because you must satisfy the eligibility requirements of NIU's Graduate School and our department before you can be admitted to our program, this is something which is not within our power to change. The current requirement is a minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4-point scale.
No. Although the NIU catalog states that the GMAT may be substituted at the discretion of each department, our department requires the GRE. No test substitutions are permitted.
Most students begin their coursework in the fall semester, but under certain circumstances students may be encouraged to begin in the summer session. Deadlines for receipt of all application materials can be found in the NIU undergraduate and graduate catalogs.
There are a variety of options for housing at NIU. On campus a student can choose between dorms with single and shared rooms, 21 years old and over floors, gender-specific or co-ed, married student housing (1-bedroom or efficiency apartment) if you have a spouse and/or children, and some accommodation for students with disabilities. Off-campus there are several apartment complexes within walking distance of campus which typically cater to NIU students, as well as housing generally available in a university town. An NIU-sponsored bus system operates during the academic semesters and summer session. Special transportation accommodations exist for disabled students. For additional information, please contact NIU Student Housing Office at (815) 753-1525.
DeKalb is a city of 35,000 residents. Located 60 miles west of downtown Chicago, it benefits from being a small midwest town with access to big-city activities. Additional information about the area is available from the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce.