西密歇根大学

The 38 hour Orientation and Mobility for Children (OMCM) degree program is accredited by the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired to prepare Orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialists to work with children. This program includes instruction in the O&M curriculum with an emphasis in preparing children, both with and without additional disabilities, to move safely and independently within a variety of environments such as their home, school, and local community. In addition, this degree provides focus on areas such as body image, sensory-motor skills, concept development, cortical/cerebral visual impairment, and how to effectively work in a school setting. Graduates are eligible to become certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS). Students may choose to combine this degree program with preparation as a teacher of children with visual impairments to attain dual competency.

Required courses for the OMCM program are:

BLS 5900 - Physiology and Function of the Eye Credits: 2 hours
BLS 5905 - Physiology and Performance in Blind Children Credits: 2 hours
BLS 5915 - Braille for Orientation and Mobility Specialists Credits: 1 hour
BLS 5920 - Orientation and Mobility with Children Credits: 3 hours
BLS 5945 - Itinerancy and Effective School Collaboration Credits: 3 hours
BLS 5950 - Introduction to Orientation and Mobility Credits: 2 to 4 hours

Credits: 4 hours needed

BLS 5960 - Electronic Devices Credits: 1 hour
BLS 5970 - Principles Low Vision Credits: 2 hours
BLS 6010 - Small “N” Research: Design and Analysis Credits: 3 hours
BLS 6040 - Issues in Travel Credits: 2 hours
BLS 6050 - Practice in Low Vision Credits: 1 hour
BLS 6060 - Adaptive Sports and Art Activities for VI Children Credits: 1 hour
BLS 6100 - Assisted Research Credits: 1 to 6 hours

Credits: 2 hours needed

BLS 6940 - Principles of Orientation and Mobility Credits: 3 hours
BLS 6950 - Practicum in Orientation and Mobility Credits: 1 to 3 hours

Credits: 2 hours needed

BLS 7120 - Professional Field Experience Credits: 2 to 12 hours

Credits: 6 hours needed