FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What kind of educational background is required for admittance into the RT/VRT program?
Any Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university will be acceptable for admittance into the program. Overall grade point average must be a 2.75 on a 4.0 scale or a 3.0 on the last 60 hours.
Are a thesis and comprehensive examinations required?
No thesis or comprehensive examinations are required for completion of the RT/VRT degree.
What is the length of time required to complete the UALR RT/VRT program?
The length of time required to complete the program will depend on the number of courses taken each semester. For example, if two online courses are taken fall and spring semesters and one course during the summer semesters, the degree can be completed in three years. The university requires that advanced degrees be completed within six years. The program coordinator will draft a tentative plan of study for each student based on the individual’s preferred coarse load, so the anticipated time frame may be determined prior to actually beginning the program. Each semester throughout the student’s program, the individualized plan is re-visited during the advising conference and adjustments made as needed.
How often will I have to come to campus?
Four of the required courses required a hands-on workshop, necessitating the students come to Little Rock. The course, Basic Independent Living Skills for Persons with Impaired Vision is held each summer semester, which begins the end of May. The hands-on assessment workshop for the course is usually held the first week in August. Methods of Teaching Adaptive Communication Skills and Methods of Teaching Adaptive Life Skills are offered alternating spring semesters, which begin in January. The workshops are usually held the last week in April. The fourth course requiring a trip to Little Rock is Techniques of the Counseling Interview. The course is offered most semesters. The counseling workshop and the RT workshops in the spring semester are schedule consecutively back-to-back. The RT workshop begins on the following Monday morning and ends on Saturday. The counseling workshop may precede the RT workshop [Thursday - Saturday] or follow the RT workshop [Monday - Wednesday].
Where can I stay when I come to Little Rock for the workshops?
Students are responsible for making their own housing arrangements and costs for the workshops. One recommendation for housing is the Markham House Suites. The Markham House has a van that will provide transportation to and from the workshop location, which is usually the Student Center on the UALR Campus.
How do I obtain the textbooks required for the courses?
Students may purchase their textbooks from the UALR Bookstore, the respective publisher or from an online book source. The UALR Bookstore will mail you the requested tests and charge for the cost of the books plus shipping and handling.
If I already know contracted braille, do I have to take the Braille and Relevant Formats Course?
Braille Proficiency Test
Students who are proficient in reading and writing contracted braille may wish to take a proficiency test. For specific information, contact the RT/VRT program coordinator, Dr. Pat Smith, pbsmith@ualr.edu. The test consists of three parts: braille to print, print to braille, and proofreading. Students who demonstrate braille competency have two options:
Request an exemption to the braille course requirement and enroll in another course as an elective in order to complete the required 42 credit hours of the RT/VRT master’s degree.
OR
Register for the braille course, pay the tuition; the grade received on the proficiency test will then be processed as the course grade at the end of the semester. Students who choose this option and have successfully passed the proficiency test do not have to complete the braille assignments required in the class.
Note: The braille proficiency test must be completed on a manual braille writer or slate and stylus. A computer braille software program cannot be utilized when completing the test nor when completing the course assignments.
What if something happens that I’m not able to finish the courses for a particular semester?
If a student has justifiable extentuating circumstances that can be appropriately documented AND has successfully completed the majority of the course, a request for a limited time extension [incomplete] may be submitted to the instructor to allow for successful completion of course requirements. Students may need to withdraw from a course by the published withdrawal date to avoid a grade penalty. As per university policy, any incomplete grades that are not finished within a maximum of one year will automatically be converted to a grade of “F” on the student’s transcript.
How are the clinical field experience’s [practicum and internship] locations determined?
Upon successful completion of all key rehabilitation teaching courses and with the approval of their faculty advisor, students may enroll in practicum and then internship. Internship is the final course of the Rehabilitation Teaching/Vision Rehabilitation Therapy program, culminating in the master’s degree and Graduation! The UALR RT/VRT field experiences must meet the current requirements for AER University RT Personnel Preparation Programs and for ACVREP clinical field experiences so that all graduates will meet eligibility requirements for national certification in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy [CVRT]. The program advisor will meet with each student to obtain his or her preferences and priorities, such as geographical location, target population, service delivery system. The program advisor will make the specific arrangements with the respective agency administrator and CVRT supervisor. The supervisor must hold current ACVREP-VRT certification, have a minimum of three years successful RT/VRT experience, and preferably have a master’s degree from an approved university RT/VRT personnel preparation program. The field experience must include opportunities to apply the skills and knowledge for the full range of RT teaching responsibilities. The field experiences usually total about six months of full-time work.
Will I earn a state teaching certificate with a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Teaching?
The master’s degree in Rehabilitation Teaching is not affiliated with state teaching certificates. Graduates of the RT program meet eligibility requirements to apply for certification in vision rehabilitation therapy [CVRT] through ACVREP [Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals]. Specific CVRT requirements may be found on the ACVREP website.
What kinds of job opportunities are available for graduates of the UALR RT/VRT program?
Rehabilitation Teachers are typically employed in a variety of agencies, schools, and organizations within federal, state, and private settings. Instructional delivery systems for rehabilitation teaching/vision rehabilitation therapy occur within both center-based programs as well as itinerant service delivery systems. Employment scenarios can range from full benefit employment to contractual employment. Teaching responsibilities may cover a single subject to the entire range of adaptive life skills [communications, home management, personal management, recreation/leisure, and pre-cane orientation & mobility]. Instruction may be provided on a one-to-one basis or in small group individualized instruction.
The UALR RT/VRT program maintains a list of potential job openings to assist students in seeking employment.
What is required for graduation?
Students must successfully complete the required plan of study earning a minimum of 42 credit hours with an overall grade point average of 3.0 [“B”]. A minimum of a “B” is required for key RT/VRT courses.
Note: Students must apply for graduation, even if they do not plan on marching in one of the commencement ceremonies. UALR holds commencement ceremonies at the end of fall and spring semesters. Participation in the commencement ceremony is not required. However, many students have expressed surprise at the unexpected positive feelings they had after participating in commencement. They stated it gave them a wonderful feeling of success and closure for all the hard work they had done!