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Auburn University at Montgomery seeks approval for teachers-of-students-with-visual-impairments program
Summary
AUM presented a proposed master’s program to train teachers of students with visual impairments, including braille and mobility instruction; officials said it would be the only such program in Alabama if approved and would begin in the fall once developed.
Auburn University at Montgomery presented a proposal during the board’s work session to establish a master’s-level teachers-of-students-with-visual-impairments program that would train educators in braille, mobility and adaptive instruction.
Dr. Cliff Burtz, identified as associate dean at AUM, said Alabama currently lacks an active program for visual impairment teacher preparation after earlier programs at other institutions “sunset,” and that AUM intends to fill that gap. “There are approximately a thousand children in the state of Alabama with visual impairments,” Burtz said. “This program will train teachers… We'll teach them braille. We'll teach them mobility using adaptive devices.”
The university described the program as a traditional master’s pathway built from seven courses. AUM representatives told the board the program is not yet fully developed and would not begin until the fall; they said they have received inquiries from potential students but have no confirmed enrollments yet. “They would not be able to begin the program until the fall,” a department staff member clarified.
Board members asked about credentialing and tests for graduates. Burtz said students would now take the special education practice exam and that AUM has been in discussions with Educational Testing Service (ETS) about whether a more specific licensure or certification test will be required in the future.
No formal vote or approval was taken during the presentation; the institution presented its proposal and answered board members’ questions about coursework, start date and recruitment.
