Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation

Certificate Level: Graduate
Admissions Requirements: Bachelor's degree or higher
Certificate Type: Post-Baccalaureate
Number of Credits to Completion: 30.0
Instructional Delivery: Online
Calendar Type: Semester
Expected Time to Completion: 
Financial Aid Eligibility: Not aid eligible
Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Code: 51.2399
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 25-1071

About the Program

This certificate program includes courses taught online, in-person, on weekends and during the summers. It is offered in part-time format in consideration of the demands of working professionals. In collaboration, the program director and students design individual programs of studies to better meet the students’ needs. Fieldwork and internship placements can typically be secured in the students’ area or nearby.

Admission Requirements

Applications are accepted through the GradCAS centralized application service each semester with the following deadlines:

• Fall Semester - July 1
• Spring Semester - November 30
• Summer Semester - April 15

Once accepted, students can register for courses in the term immediately following matriculation, depending on the student's course of study.

Criteria

All applicants must have completed their undergraduate studies and must hold a Bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited college or university in order to be admitted.

All applicants must have completed their undergraduate studies and must hold a Bachelor's degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited college or university in order to be admitted to a program of studies in Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies.

The following application items are required for submission:

• Submit a completed application through GradCAS.
   
• Application Fee: A non-refundable fee of $138.00 is required. Payment may be made through the GradCAS application portal.
   
• Transcripts: All applicants are responsible for having official transcripts for every college or university attended sent directly to GradCAS centralized application service, regardless of whether a degree has been received from that particular institution or not. Please note, a transcript marked "issued to student" is not acceptable, even when delivered in a sealed envelope.
   
• Letters of Reference: Applications must include three letters of reference highlighting your academic and professional skills and addressing applicant qualities in relation to working in the field of blindness and low vision, education and/or rehabilitation. Please follow the directions for submitting letters of reference through the GradCAS application portal.
   
• Statement of Purpose: (minimum 250 words): Applicants must submit a typewritten, double-spaced, two- to three-page personal statement through the GradCAS application portal explaining their purpose in undertaking graduate study in their program of interest. This is an opportunity to inform the Admissions Committee about the applicant's goals, interests, motivation, and background as they relate to their career plans and academic pursuits.
   
• Job Resume/Curriculum Vitae: All applicants must submit an educational and job resume/curriculum vitae through the GradCAS application portal. This should include the applicant’s education, work experience, publications, honors or achievements, and community /extracurricular activities to date.
   
• License/Certificates: Applicants may submit a copy of any certificate or license held as it pertains to their current profession through the GradCAS application portal. 
   
• Background Clearances: Applicants must complete Child Abuse History, State Police and Federal FBI clearances at the time of matriculation to the program. The Office of Student Affairs will contact the matriculated student with further instructions on submitting these requirements prior to enrollment.
   
• National Test Scores (Optional): National test scores (such as GRE or MAT) are not required to be considered for admission into the program.

International Students

International Transcripts

For applicants who have attended foreign and French-Canadian schools, please provide the Office of Admissions with the following information: 

A course-by-course credential review from a NACES recognized agency which evidences all post-secondary studies completed. Please consult the agency’s web site for requirements to complete the evaluation. 

Recommended agencies include:

• World Education Services
• Span Train

An official credential evaluation (not a copy) must be sent from the evaluation service directly to the Office of Admissions.

Applicants also have the option to submit their credential evaluation directly to GradCAS. If you choose this option, please view GradCAS foreign transcripts instructions for more details.

English Language Proficiency

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential for success in a Drexel University academic program as well as to help ensure patient/client/student safety and/or effective communication with members of a healthcare or education team.

Official results from the TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS or Duolingo examination are required of all non-native English speakers. One of these approved exams must be taken within two years prior to the start date of the entering class to which an applicant seeks admission.

• If submitting TOEFL iBT scores, please use the GradCAS code of B886.
• If submitting an approved alternative English proficiency exam, please send official scores directly to the Office of Admissions.

While we recommend that applicants submit TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS or Duolingo, exceptions will be considered for foreign applicants who meet one of the following criteria*:

1. 1. successfully completed a degree or diploma held from an accredited, post-secondary institution where the coursework was entirely in English, and provide evidence that it was conducted in English; or
    
2. 2. successfully completed, and provide evidence of, an approved English language learner's program.

*Note: All examption materials and other appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and subject to the admission committee’s final discretion. Should any exceptions not be accepted toward the English language requirement, the Office of Admissions will inform the applicant of an alternative to fulfill it.

Admissions Selection Process

For more information regarding the admissions selection, interview and matriculaton process, please refer to the program's website.

Prerequisite Skills

Due to the nature of the coursework the following prerequisites skills apply:

Writing Skills: Applicants are expected to demonstrate scholarly writing in their application essay, develop coherent and complete thoughts, and use correct grammar, and spelling.

Computer Skills and Technology Requirements: The program requires graduate students to have computer literacy skills upon entry into their respective programs. Most of the courses are online and require computer skills related to emailing, word processing, uploading and downloading files and assignments, conducting internet searches, and interacting online among others.

Prior to entering the program, students who lack basic skills in using the computer should complete a basic computer course from a computer education service, a community college, or university.

Program Requirements