Intervention Specialist: Visually Impaired Teacher Licensure Program
Part of the TVI Consortium
Become a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) in one year of online coursework. The 22-credit program prepares working teachers to serve students with visual impairments and braille users in their classrooms.
Program Overview
The Intervention Specialist: Visually Impaired program equips teachers with the skills to meet the needs of students with visual impairments (TSVI). With specialized coursework and extensive field experience requirements, students can enhance their education with this licensure in one year.
With coursework focused on understanding visual impairments, braille instruction and competency, and eye, brain, and sensory connections, you will be prepared to introduce effective teaching in your classroom for students with visual impairments.
With primary coursework delivered online, the Intervention Specialist: Visually Impaired Teacher Licensure program will provide you with ample opportunity to refine classroom lessons through field experience and a hands-on practicum.
The Intervention Specialist: Visually Impaired program can be completed in one year – providing you the opportunity to expand your criteria to serve a need-based population after completing 22 credit hours.
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
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Start your application
Free, takes about 15 minutes.
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Send transcripts
Have your high school guidance counselor send them to admissions@shawnee.edu
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Send Admissions your ACT/SAT scores
If you have a copy of your report, email it to admissions@shawnee.edu. Your high school counselor may also be able to include your ACT/SAT score on your transcript. You may also contact ACT or College Board to have your scores officially sent to Shawnee State. If you listed Shawnee State at the time that you took your test, we will receive your scores automatically.
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Submit the Selective Admission Application
Submit before the deadline to be considered.
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File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
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Get your decision
Most decisions in under 7 days.
Admissions
Application deadline is March 15.
The program is a selective admission program and acceptance is not guaranteed. Students will be notified of acceptance by mid-April.
Application requirements
- Complete an Application for Graduate Admission
- Evidence of a B.S. or B.A. degree from an accredited institution.
- Evidence of an overall GPA of 2.75 or greater
- Copy of teaching license
- Two letters of reference from educational or professional sources
- Professional statement including career goals (1-2 pages)
What to include in your personal statement:
- Provide a brief description of your educational background.
- Provide a brief description of your current employment.
- Explain your experience of working with an individual with visual impairment.
- Provide reasons why you believe that you would be an excellent candidate for the program.
- Explain your goals and what you hope to gain from the program.
Admissions Questions:
Graduate Admissions
Phone: (740) 351-3177
Email: gradadmissions@shawnee.edu
Ebenezer Asiaw
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions
(740) 351-3258
easiaw@shawnee.edu
Program Questions
Gail Chinn
Title: Low Incidence Sensory Disabilities Lead Officer
Area: School of Education
Phone: (740) 351-3571
Email: gchinn@shawnee.edu
At A Glance
Intervention Specialist: Visually Impaired Teacher Licensure Program
Degree
Teacher Licensure (Ohio, added endorsement)
Length
1 year
Credits
22
Class Size
12:1
Why Study Intervention Specialist: Visually Impaired Teacher Licensure Program at Shawnee University
One year to add a license. The 22-credit program lets working teachers add TSVI licensure in a single year.
Online, with real classroom practice. Coursework runs online; field experience happens each semester and a capstone practicum runs in your final term.
Specialized skills schools need. You'll build competency in braille, eye and brain sensory connections, and instructional practices for students with visual impairments.
Aligned with the Ohio Deans Compact. The program is part of the Low-Incidence Sensory Disabilities (LISD) Collaborative.
Tuition support available. Full tuition assistance plus books and materials may be available through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Office for Exceptional Children.
The 22-credit curriculum builds the skills to serve the Visually Impaired (TSVI) community in your classroom.
- Braille fundamentals and instructional practices
- Science of visual impairment (eye, brain, and sensory connections)
- Core curriculum and literacy adaptations for TSVI students
- Instructional and assistive technology for visually impaired learners
- Capstone practicum in the final semester
Field experience runs every semester so you can put what you're learning into practice. The final semester features a required practicum that ties together coursework, braille instruction, and TSVI classroom strategies in a real setting.
- Meet the unique educational needs of Visually Impaired (TSVI) students
- Develop and refine competency in braille for student communication and instruction
- Deliver research-based instructional practices for TSVI students
- Adapt curriculum and assessment for students with visual impairments
Online coursework with required face-to-face field work each semester and an in-person practicum during the final semester.
- Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) (K-12)
- Intervention specialist supporting visually impaired learners
- Itinerant TSVI working across multiple schools
- Co-teaching or inclusion specialist in mainstream classrooms
TSVI teachers are in steady demand across Ohio - most graduates already teach when they enroll and add this licensure to broaden the students they can serve.
Tuition and financial aid
Shawnee State's tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
Financial support is provided by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Office for Exceptional Children.
Intervention Specialist: Visually Impaired Teacher Licensure Program Frequently Asked Questions
The program is designed for working teachers adding an endorsement. Confirm specific admission requirements with the program coordinator.
One year - 22 credit hours.
Coursework is online. Field experience runs each semester in person, plus an in-person practicum in the final semester.
Yes, often. Full tuition assistance and books and materials may be available through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Office for Exceptional Children. Ask the program coordinator about current eligibility.
Program handbook
Contact Gail Chinn at (740) 351-3571 or gchinn@shawnee.edu for program expectations, handbook information, and admission details.
Accreditation
Part of the Ohio Deans Compact LISD (Low-Incidence Sensory Disabilities) Collaborative. Shawnee State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
