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 nshaheen@nfb.org so that she can make the appropriate changes.
Programs Listed by State
Alabama
University of Alabama, Burmingham
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
Ellin Siegel
(402) 472-9867
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. Lesley Craig-Unkefer
615-898-2687
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
Dr. Robert Angel
(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