Thank you for your interest in the visual impairment endorsement program offered through Radford University and the statewide Virginia Consortium for Teacher Preparation in Visual Impairment.

Other members of the consortium include George Mason University, University of Virginia, Norfolk State University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Although our coursework is delivered through a combination of hybrid and distance-learning approaches, we stress the importance of hands-on experiences. We use real-time, interactive, multipoint video conference and face-to-face instruction and interactive course management to build a single virtual “classroom” among participants at each of the five universities.

Find out more information on the application process.

Partial or full-tuition assistance is available for most qualified applicants who have been accepted by the Consortium and the Graduate School, and who have registered for courses at least one month before the start of each semester. First priority for funding will be continuing students enrolled in the full endorsement program with grades of "B" or better in all coursework to date. Others will be funded on a first-come, first serve basis. Individuals who receive funding are expected to meet a service obligation as a special education teacher in Virginia schools.

Students accepted into the program are required to have basic computer skills and knowledge of all Microsoft Office Suite applications. They will also be required to become proficient with a variety of technology learning tools including e-mail, BlackBoard and MacroMedia Breeze. Students must maintain regular class attendance, engage in class discussions as active participants, communicate with course instructors about individual needs, prepare papers that conform to APA style, acquire graduate-level research, reading and study skills, and become familiar with the research literature in the field of severe disabilities. Prior to beginning coursework, participants attend an orientation session on the use of distance education technology at their respective university site. In order to be considered for this program, an applicant must either teach students with severe disabilities or have access to students with severe disabilities in an educational setting. First preference is given to school personnel currently working with students with severe disabilities in all geographic areas of Virginia. Other applicants will also be considered.

We will schedule a face-to-face or telephone interview when I have received confirmation of your application to the graduate school and have had the opportunity to review your completed Virginia Consortium for Teacher Preparation in Visual Impairment application.