Finding a Program

Finding the right program is the first step in becoming a teacher of blind students. On this page, we have collected the names and contact information of colleges and universities in the United States that offer teacher preparation programs in the area of blindness education. You will notice that there are programs all over the country that you can apply to attend, so finding the right one for you may take a little looking around. Here are some questions that you may want to ask the program:

 

  • Do you offer any financial assistance?
  • Do you have any current students or graduates that I can speak to about their experience in your program?
  • How much experience will I receive working with blind children and their families?
  • Does your program assist with job placement upon graduation?

Attention Program Directors

We want to have the most accurate and up-to-date information on this page that prospective students can use to connect with your school. If your university program is not listed, or if there is incorrect information about your program, please e-mail Natalie Shaheen at nshaheen@nfb.org so that she can make the appropriate changes.

Programs Listed by State

Alabama

University of Alabama, Birmingham
Dr. Mary-Jean Sanspree
(205) 934-6723

 

Arizona

University of Arizona
Dr. Jane Erin
(520) 621-0945

 

Arkansas

University of Arkansas, Little Rock
Dr. Jennifer Hune
(501) 569-3263

 

California

California State University, Los Angeles
Cheryl Kamie-Hannan
(323) 343-6297

San Francisco State University
Dr. Amanda Lueck
(415) 338-1080

 

Colorado

University of Northern Colorado
Dr. Paula Conroy
(970) 351-1651 or (970) 351-2691

 

Florida

Florida State University
Dr. Sandra Lewis
(850) 644-8409

 

Illinois

Illinois State University
Chris Clark
(309) 438-8957

Northern Illinois University
Dr. Gaylen Kapperman
(815) 753-8453 or (815) 753-8459

 

Indiana

Ball State University/Indiana State University Collaborative Program
Sharon Bryan
(800) 622-3035

 

Iowa

University of Northern Iowa
Susan Brennan
(319) 273-7841

 

Kentucky

University of Louisville
Dr. William Penrod
(502) 852-0557

 

Louisiana

Louisiana Tech University
Dr. Ruby Ryles
(318) 257-4554

University of Louisiana, New Orleans
Dr. Randall Scott
(504) 280-6609

 

Massachusetts

Boston College
Susan Bruce
(617) 552-4239

 

University of Massachusetts, Boston
Laura Bozeman
(617) 287-4385

 

Michigan

Eastern Michigan University
Alicia Li
(734) 487-7120

Western Michigan University
Donna Brostek Lee
(269) 387-5944

 

Minnesota

Minnesota Consortium
Clay Keller
(612) 638-1537

 

Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi
Dr. Hollie Filce
(601) 266-6376

 

Missouri

Missouri State University
Paul M. Ajuwon
(417) 836-5397

 

Nebraska

University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Tessa Wright
(402) 472-6636

 

New Jersey

The College of New Jersey
Dr. Amy Dell
(609) 771-2308

 

New Mexico

New Mexico State University
Dr. Jackie Wood
(575) 646-4121

 

New York

Dominican College
Dr. Rona Shaw
(845) 848-4081

Hunter College
Dr. Rosanne Silberman
(212) 772-4740

 

Dr. Ellen Trief
(212) 772-4110

Teachers College, Columbia University
Peg Cummins
(212) 678-3878 or 212-678-3880

 

North Carolina

North Carolina Central University
Beth Harris
(919) 530-5346 (NCCU) / 919-715-6342 (GMS)

 

North Dakota

University of North Dakota
Ms. Kari Chiasson
(701) 777-3236

Dr. Myrna Olson
(701) 777-3188

 

Ohio

Ohio State University
Peter V. Paul, Ph.D
(614) 292-5392

 

Tia Jones
(614) 292-5392

 

The University of Toledo
Dr. Sakui Malakpa
(419) 530-2047

 

Oklahoma

North Eastern State University
Dr. Lillian Young
(918) 456-5511

 

Oregon

Portland State University
Jim Bickford
(503) 725-5495

 

Pennsylvania

Kutztown University
Dr. Debra Lynch
(610) 683-4290

 

Salus University
Dr. Brooke Smith
(215) 780-1502

 

University of Pittsburgh
Lynn Fox
(412) 648-7308

 

Puerto Rico

University of Puerto Rico
Dr. Carmen Pujols
(787) 764-0000

 

South Carolina

South Carolina State University
Dr. Gloria Hayes
(803) 536-7118

South Carolina State University, Upstate
Dr. Tina Herzberg
(864) 503-5572

 

South Dakota

Northern State University
Dr. Connie Geier
(605) 626-3169

 

Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University
Dr. Sheri Trent
(615) 898-2680

 

Peabody College –Vanderbilt University
Karen Blankenship
(615) 343-8749

 

Texas

Stephen F. Austin State University
Dr. Dixie Mercer
(936) 468-1142

 

Texas Tech University
Dr. Rosita Moore
(806) 742-2345

 

Utah

University of Utah in collaboration with Utah State University
Dr. Janice N. Day
(801) 585-3925

 

Virginia

George Mason University
Holly M. Lawson
(703) 993-3670, ext. 40170

 

West Virginia

Marshall University
Patty Myers
(304) 746-8941

 

West Virginia University
Dr. Mary Ellen Zeppuhar
(304) 293 4692

 

Wisconsin

Silver Lake College
Sister Mary Karen Oudeans
(920) 686-6157

 

Additional Programs

Hadley School for the Blind - Utah State University Partnership
Linda Alsop
(435) 797-5598