Master of Education/Visual Function in Learning, MEd

Introduction

The Master of Education/Visual Function in Learning program (MEd/VFL), administered by the College of Education in conjunction with the College of Optometry, is especially designed for optometry students and optometrists who wish to extend their knowledge of vision problems as they relate to reading and the learning process of children. The 30-credit program provides expertise in understanding the cognitive, linguistic, and visual challenges of learning to read. The program is offered only at the Forest Grove campus. Candidates must hold or be working toward Pacific’s Doctor of Optometry degree, have completed the fall semester of the first year of study with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater, and be in good academic standing. Candidates may enroll in a maximum of 8 credits of education coursework before admission to the program.

Degree Requirements

Course Requirements

Candidate must complete a minimum of 30 credits in a program developed by the student and the MEd/VFL Coordinator.  A planned program of courses must be filed with the School of Learning & Teaching.

Education: 18 Credits

Required

EDUC 565 - Seminar: Ed & Opt Connection 1 credit(s)
RDNG 642 - Reading Assessments & Techniques 3 credit(s)
RDNG 640 - MEd/VFL Field Practicum & Seminar 1 credit(s)
RDNG 641 - MEd/VFL Case Study Practicum & Seminar 1 credit(s)
RDNG 643 - Multisensory Literacy Instructional Tech 3 credit(s)

Electives:

8 credits from courses with the prefix EDTL, EDUC, ESOL, ESTM, RDNG, SPED

Suggestions include the following:

EDUC 508 - Reading & Language Arts ECE/Elem 4 credit(s)
EDUC 544 - Reading Language Arts Elem/MS 4 credit(s)
EDUC 555 - Special Topics credit(s)
EDUC 570 - School and Society 2 credit(s)
EDUC 572 - Service-Learning Field Experience 1 credit(s)
EDUC 583 - Soc & Psych Found of Gifted Education 3 credit(s)
EDUC 667 - Learn & Teach: Literacy Dev ECE/Elem 4 credit(s)
EDUC 698 - Teaching & Learning in Higher Education 3 credit(s)
ESOL 544 - Educational Linguistics ESOL Teachers 3 credit(s)
RDNG 644 - Text Composition & Comprehension 3 credit(s)
SPED 505 - Exceptionalities 2 credit(s)

Optometry: 6 Credits

Required:

OPT 753 - Seminar Visual Prob Relate to Learn Dis 2 credit(s)
OPT 753L - Lab-Visual Prob Relate to Learn Dis 1 credit(s)
OPT 765 - Seminar in Multidisc Service 1 credit(s)

Electives:

2 credits from the following

OPT 743 - Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation 1.75 credit(s)
OPT 956 - Independent Study 1-12 credit(s)
OPT 992 - Research & Data Analysis Methods II 2 credit(s)

Foundations of Research: 3 Credits

OPT 560 - Evidence-Based Optometry 1 credit(s)
EDUC 670 - Intro to Professional Inquiry 1 credit(s)
EDUC 671 - The Scholarship of Teaching 1 credit(s)

Education Research Project: 4 Credits

EDUC 674 - Planning the Inquiry Project 2 credit(s)
EDUC 675 - Completing the Inquiry Project 2 credit(s)

MEd/Thesis Requirement

The capstone experience is a thesis, giving candidates an opportunity to synthesize professional education in the optometric clinical setting. All Master of Education/Visual Function in Learning candidates will be appointed an Education program advisor and an Optometry program advisor who will guide the development, implementation and presentation of a research project.

Additional Admission Requirements

Applications are accepted year-round for this non-licensure program. Applicants must hold a Doctor of Optometry degree or have completed the fall semester of the first year of study within Pacific University College of Optometry and be in good academic standing, with a 3.00 minimum GPA in at least 9 credits of graduate work.

Applicants must submit the following documents no later than four weeks before the beginning of graduate study:

Official transcripts of all college study
Two references from optometry faculty. One letter of recommendation from an optometrist is required for applicants who hold an OD degree
Letter of intent describing how this degree will benefit applicant as a professional

A personal interview led by the MEd/VFL Program Coordinator or designee also is required.

Program Details

Program Objectives

To develop a knowledge base concerning:
- the role that visual factors play in learning disability diagnosis and remediation;
- fundamental theories of cognition, learning, and language development;
- the major diagnostic theories in reading and related prescriptive techniques;
- decision-making systems, service delivery models, and program management within education organizations;
- the varied constituencies that the public schools must satisfy.
To develop skills in research, diagnosis, therapy, and case management within a multidisciplinary setting.

Program Length: 2 years

Learning Outcomes

Graduate students will have developed a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of:

the role that visual factors play in learning disability diagnosis and remediation;
fundamental theories of cognition, learning, and language development;
the major diagnostic theories in reading and related prescriptive techniques;
decision-making systems, service delivery models, and program management within education organizations; and
the varied constituencies that the public schools must satisfy to develop skills in research, diagnosis, therapy and case management within a multidisciplinary setting.