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The James I. Perkins College of Education offers various concentrations within the Master of Education in special education. Explore the options below to learn more.

Fully Online

Non-teacher concentration

This program provides graduate level preparation in the area of disability awareness, instructional strategies, formal and informal assessment, and law. Individuals who typically choose this type of master’s degree are already certified teachers who desire to expand their knowledge base and/or those who work for a state agency – such as Early Childhood Intervention, the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, and other state facilities, hospitals or similar agencies.

All courses for this degree are offered online, with regular virtual class meetings.

Program Administrative Support:

Email: SPED.MED@sfasu.edu
Phone: 936.468.2904

Educational diagnostician concentration

An educational diagnostician is a master’s level professional who works within the public school system to ensure that special education services are provided to eligible students in accordance with all applicable federal laws, regulations, state statutes, the Texas Education Agency and the Commissioner of Education.

All courses for this degree are offered online, with regular virtual class meetings.

SFA’s educational diagnostician program provides graduate level preparation in the area of disabilities, instructional strategies, formal assessment and law. Your coursework will prepare you for certification as an educational diagnostician.

Program Administrative Support:

Email: SPED.MED@sfasu.edu
Phone: 936.468.2904

Hybrid modality

The following master’s degrees are offered in a combination of online and traditional on-campus formats:

Orientation and mobility concentration

If you already have an undergraduate degree from an accredited university and would like to pursue a career assisting individuals with visual impairment, you are eligible to earn additional education in orientation and mobility at SFA. We offer two tracks:

  • Master of Education in special education with orientation and mobility certification
  • Graduate-level Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist certification only.

Admission typically occurs once per year, with initial coursework beginning in the first summer term. Some students may be accepted into the program at other times, but course options may be limited due to prerequisites.

Candidates will be required to come to the SFA campus in Nacogdoches for about six weeks to receive intensive, hands-on training in basic orientation and mobility. Candidates are responsible for all transportation, lodging and meals while attending cane skills training in the summer.

After completing the required courses, you’ll be eligible for certification through our international certifying body. Candidates will apply for the international certification examination for COMS during internship placement and will sit for the exam once the certification requirements at SFA are completed.

Program Administrative Support:

Email: OMVI@sfasu.edu
Phone: 936.468.1145

For a list of application requirements and instructions for the Teacher of Students with Visual Impairment (TSVI) and Certified Orientation & Mobility certification programs/concentrations, please complete this application.

Visual impairment concentration

SFA’s Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) program will prepare the candidate to teach children with visual impairments from birth through age 22. This 21-credit hour program trains graduate level candidates who already hold a valid Texas teaching certificate. We offer two tracks:

Instructional arrangements are designed to meet the needs of the nontraditional student or working adult. The requirements can usually be completed in one calendar year.

Candidates are primarily admitted once per year in cohorts beginning during the summer term (admission at other times is limited to courses without prerequisites). Training begins with two summer classes taught on campus at SFA and delivered using the D2L distance course delivery platform and the ZOOM online meeting platform. Once a TSVI candidate has successfully completed (6) credit hours, which must include a braille course, a hiring school district can apply for an emergency permit so that the candidate may serve as the Teacher of Students with Visual Impairment (TSVI) while the candidate continues to complete coursework toward the TSVI certification.

Those living and working in Texas are expected to successfully complete the state certification exams in braille (TExES 283) and visual impairment (TExES 182). Candidates from other states should contact the program faculty to ensure that local requirements are met.

Course and NumberCourse Description
SPED 5158Practicum in Special Education/Visual Impairment
SPED 5315Foundations of Visual Impairment
SPED 5316Structure and Function of the Visual System
SPED 5317Communication Skills for Visual Impairment
SPED 5318Basic Concepts of Orientation and Mobility
SPED 5351Working with Academic Students Who Have Visual Impairments
SPED 5352Instructional Strategies for Individuals with Visual and Multiple Impairments
SPED 5367Trends in Educating Exceptional Children
SPED 5370Independent Research Project in Visual Impairment
Plus 9 hours from the courses below (3 courses)
SPED 5319Low Vision
SPED 5320Tactual Reading Skills for VI
SPED 5321Teaching the Expanded Core Curriculum to Students with Visual Impairments
SPED 5353Assistive Technology (VI)
SPED 5356Infancy and Early Childhood for Individuals with Visual Impairment
Program Administrative Support:

Email: OMVI@sfasu.edu
Phone: 936.468.1145

For a list of application requirements and instructions for the Teacher of Students with Visual Impairment (TSVI) and Certified Orientation & Mobility certification programs/concentrations, please complete this application.

Dual certification preparation

This path will prepare candidates for certification as both a teacher of students with visual impairments and as a certified orientation and mobility specialist. This dual certification means candidates will be even more highly trained in the specialized needs of the visually impaired.

Admission typically occurs once per year, with initial coursework beginning in the first summer term. Some candidates may be accepted into the program at other times, but course options may be limited due to prerequisites.

Candidates will be required to come to the SFA campus in Nacogdoches for about six weeks to receive intensive, hands-on training in basic orientation and mobility. Lodging, meals and transportation to and from SFA are funded by candidates (self-pay). All candidates in the graduate-level O&M certification coursework complete the remainder of their courses online.

After completing the required courses, you’ll be eligible for certification through our national certifying body. Candidates will apply to take the international certification examination for COMS during internship placement and will sit for the exam once the certification requirements at SFA are completed.

Program Administrative Support:

Email: OMVI@sfasu.edu
Office: 936.468.1145

Contact

Department of Education Studies
936.468.2904
edstudies@sfasu.edu
Faculty Directory

Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center
Room 209

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 13017, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, Texas 75962