IL University Information

Online M.S. Ed. Degree in Low Vision and Blindness

This is for those wanting to become a TVI. The program will begin in the summer of 2021 and will be fully online. Eligible applicants must hold a professional educator license (PEL). Building on this background as an educator, students will acquire specialized training in low vision and blindness as they take 6-8 semester hours for 5 consecutive semesters to earn the 32-hour M.S. Ed. degree. This training will enable graduates to apply for the special education endorsement in low vision and blindness through the Illinois State Board of Education. The program consists of nine courses that will provide scholars with foundational knowledge about visual impairments (SED 413, 432); specialized content knowledge (i.e. braille and access technology) (SED 433, 435, 438); and specialized methods for assessment and teaching when students do not learn through vision (SED 434, 436, 437, 439). Several courses throughout the program include clinical projects so that scholars can apply concepts as they are being learned. As a final component of the program, scholars will complete an intensive clinical placement in which they will be expected to apply knowledge and skills from all coursework in supervised classroom experiences with students who have visual impairments. Those who are interested should contact Dr. Mindy Ely at msely@ilstu.edu. Dr. Ely is keeping a list of interested applicants so that notification can be sent when the program application process is made available. Application will open in the Fall of 2020 with a program begin date of Summer 2021. The program will run in a cohort model meaning that the second cohort will begin Summer 2023.

Funded M.S. Ed. Degree in Early Intervention Sensory Disabilities

This is for TVIs who want to work in early intervention. ISU is now accepting applications for a new opportunity in which six scholars will be fully funded in a 32-hour master’s program focusing on early intervention and sensory disabilities. This program is funded by a grant through the US Dept of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. The program will begin this summer (2020) and last for 5 consecutive semesters. Fall and Spring classes will be offered online. Summer classes will be offered in two locations (i.e. Joliet area and ISU) with students attending one of the locations over a 5-week period. The program is designed to foster a transdisciplinary learning environment with each cohort consisting of 6 teachers of the visually impaired, 6 teachers of the deaf, and 6 speech and language pathologists. While the educators will take all classes together, they will partner with the speech pathology students for three of the classes to encourage collaborative learning and exchange.

For more information, contact Dr. Mindy Ely at msely@ilstu.edu. We anticipate that online application will open in January. Funds are available to support scholars through the LIMITLESS grant project in order to meet critical personnel shortages in the state of Illinois. Preference will be given to Illinois residents with the expectation that they will work with infants and toddlers with hearing or vision loss upon graduation from the program. Applicants from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will be considered. The program consists of some mandatory on-site classwork and practicum experiences-- especially in summer months. All students, including those participating from out-of-state, should consider the time commitment and costs related to these experiences as they consider application to the program.

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