Certificate in Orientation and Mobility

Path 1: 15 Credits

Requirements

1. Applicant has a completed bachelor’s degree or higher
2. Applicant has successfully completed the following pre-requisite courses (or approved equivalents) in visual impairment (e.g. through an approved teacher of students with visual impairments program, vision rehabilitation program, etc.)
   1. EPSE 540: Seminar in Low Vision
   2. EPSE 541: Braille Reading and Writing
   3. EPSE 536: Foundations of Education for Students with Visual Impairments – OR –
      EPSE 320: Classroom Inclusion of Students who are Blind and Visually Impaired – OR – EPSE 545 Teaching the Expanded Core Curriculum to Students with Visual Impairments
   4. EPSE 513: Foundations of Orientation & Mobility for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments
      {Note: 455: Introduction to Orientation and Mobility for the Blind is also acceptable}
3. Applicant is committed to completing the full O&M 15-Credit program including the 350-hour supervised internship (note: this may require taking time off from regular employment responsibilities).

Application Notes

The number of students we can take in each cohort is restricted, so acceptance into the program may be competitive. For detailed information, please review the Admissions section.

Course Schedule

**Students can take up to two consecutive terms to complete the 350-hour internship. Additional time may require registering for EPSE 598 a second time.

Path 2: 27 Credits

Requirements

• Applicant has a completed bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Applicant is missing one or more of the following pre-requisites or approved equivalents:
  1. EPSE 540: Seminar in Low Vision
  2. EPSE 541: Braille Reading and Writing*
  3. EPSE 536: Foundations of Education for Students with Visual Impairments (preferred) – OR –
     EPSE 320: Classroom Inclusion of Students who are Blind and Visually Impaired – OR – EPSE 545 Teaching the Expanded Core Curriculum to Students with Visual Impairments
  4. EPSE 513: Foundations of Orientation & Mobility for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments
     {Note: 455: Introduction to Orientation and Mobility for the Blind is also acceptable}
• Applicant is committed to completing the full O&M 15-Credit program including the 350-hour supervised internship (note: this may require taking time off from regular employment responsibilities).

*Discuss possible course/training alternatives to complete the braille requirement with the O&M Certificate Coordinator.

Application Notes

The number of students we can take in each cohort is restricted, so acceptance into the program may be competitive. Please note that Path 2 applicants beginning pre-requisites are not guaranteed acceptance into the O&M cohort.

• Notify the program coordinator, Kim Zebehazy, if you are registering for the pre-requisites.

To be eligible to enter the O&M cohort that begins in summer of even years, applicants on Path 2 must first complete the pre-requisite courses. These can be taken at UBC or another approved institution that has equivalent programming in visual impairment. By applying to be an unclassified student at UBC starting in summer of the odd year (year before next cohort start), it is possible to complete the prerequisites on time (see course table below).Please note that Path 2 leads to the same graduate certificate. However, up to 12 credits of the prerequisite courses could be applied to a Masters in Special Education Blindness and Visual Impairment concentration if you have a teaching certificate (a requirement for entry into that Masters program), or some elective credits may be able to be applied to another special education Masters. In addition, a Masters in Special Education with a concentration in orientation and mobility is available (speak to the O&M program coordinator about this possibility). Applicants interested in Path Two must start the prerequisites in the summer of the odd year before a new cohort starts, and will need to apply as an “unclassified” student and pay unclassified student fees to complete these courses.  You may then apply for the O&M Certificate program when the application opens.

• You can apply for admission as an “unclassified” student in order to register for the prerequisite courses.  For admission inquiries and assistance, contact Matthew Duckworth (604-822-5242)
• You must notify the program advisor, Kim Zebehazy if you are registering for the prerequisites with the intent to apply for Path 2.
• Your tuition per course will be assessed tuition feestuition fees at the prevailing graduate per credit rate, plus any authorized student fees.

Course Schedule

EPSE 514: Advanced Orientation and Mobility Techniques (6 Credits)
On-campus, 4 weeks | mid-July to mid-August (begins after EPSE 513 ends); M-F; 5 hrs/day (allows for built in break and travel time)

**Students can take up to two consecutive terms to complete the 350-hour internship. Additional time may require registering for EPSE 598 a second time.