Orientation and Mobility MS

Major: Orientation and Mobility
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Semester
Minimum Required Credits: 39.5
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.2399
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 29-1129

About the Program

Orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialists teach children and adults with blindness or low vision critical skills to remain oriented in their environment as well as specific mobility skills in order to travel safely, efficiently and as independently as possible within the home, at school, at work and in the community.

O&M instruction is typically conducted one-on-one, tailored to each individual, and includes skills such as effective use of the individual’s remaining senses, concept development, orientation skills, problem-solving skills, use of a long cane or other mobility systems, instruction in the use of optical and/or electronic devices, and travel in a variety of settings including the use of public transportation when appropriate.

O&M specialists work in various professional settings, including public schools, residential schools for students with visual impairments, rehabilitation agencies, low vision clinics, and Veteran Administration Medical Centers, among others. There are excellent employment opportunities in the field of O&M due to a national shortage of these professionals.

Successful completion prepares participants to apply for professional certification by Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Educational Professionals (ACVREP) and state O&M certification where applicable.

The majority of the program's curriculum is taught online, with a summer residency requirement (6-8 weeks) and one additional week in the fall on campus. Founded on evidence-based practice, the O&M coursework is sequentially designed and integrated to ensure that a student's necessaryskills are developed prior to entry into fieldwork and internship off-campus.

Coursework prepares students to work effectively with individuals who have low vision, as well as those who are blind, and to work across the lifespan. Students in the O&M program learn the importance of an interprofessional approach to the provision of comprehensive services.

Additional Information

For more information, please visit the program's website.

Admission Requirement

Admissions

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

• Fall Semester - July 31
• 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 studies.

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 into the program.

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.

Letter 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 submitter 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 of 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 includ the applicant's education, work experience, publications, honors or achievements, and community/extracurricular activites 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.

International Students: Please review additional requirements in the section below.

Prerequisite Skills

Due to the nature of the coursework, the following prerequisite 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 spellling.

Computer Skills and Technology Requirements: The program requires graduate students to have computer literacy skills upon entry into the program. 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.

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
• SpanTran

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 credit 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 Englis 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 of 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 admitting 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 Admission.

While it is recommended 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. 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. successfully completed, and provide evidence of, an approved English language learner's program.

*Note: All exemption 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 matriculation process, please refer to the program's website.

Degree Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes