School of Optometry
Fall 2024

Master in Vision Sciences - Visual Impairment and Rehabilitation (English)

Graduate | Study program 2-656-1-2

Gain the required knowledge and skills to provide rehabilitation services, in English, to people living with visual impairment.

Overview and specifics

Full-time
Plan of study
45 credits
Without dissertation or thesis track
Program Type

Admissions

Overview

About

Study vision science in English

Are you interested in helping people living with total or partial visual impairment while pursuing your studies in English? UdeM is the only Canadian university that offers a Master’s in visual impairment and rehabilitation. With this training program, offered entirely in English, you will be able to provide rehabilitation services to people living with visual impairment, while also engaging in applied and clinical research. The Visual Impairment and Rehabilitation Option of the Master’s in Vision Science is intended for individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree in occupational therapy, psychology, social work or any other counselling or health-related field.

In addition to providing rehabilitation services directly with individual clients, you will develop skills to educate the public about visual impairments and propose accommodations to improve accessibility in public places and social settings for people living with visual impairment. With internships that can be done around the world, this is an exciting opportunity for individuals who enjoy working with people or who are looking for a quick change in their career pathway.

The program is also offered in French. Refer to the Master's in Vision Science (MSc) program description for more information on the visual impairment rehabilitation and clinical intervention and research options available in the French program.

  • Person-centred approach (PCA)
  • Interdisciplinary and collaborative approach
  • Three concentrations (tracks): orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, low vision
  • Activities of daily living

 

Admission requirements

Admission requirements

You studied
and have, or will obtain, a diploma from the following program or province:
and have, or will obtain, a diploma from the following program or country:
See academic regulations

Costs and financial aid

Available financial assistance

  • Graduate and postgraduate scholarships:

    Funding offered to students, all programs combined

  • Graduate scholarships:

    Funding offered for master's programs with or without thesis

  • Exemption scholarship for international students:

    Scholarship program for exemption from additional tuition fees for international students

  • Funding for Mobility:

    Scholarships and mobility funding programs offered to students from the Université de Montréal who wish to study abroad

Career prospects

Opt for an inspiring career in vision sciences! In choosing to help people living with visual impairments, you will have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings locally and globally, either in public or private rehabilitation centres, educational institutions or research facilities.

Program structure (2-656-1-2)

The Masters is composed of 45 credits.  It is offered under the option of Visual Impairment & Rehabilitation option (Segment 72)

LEGEND : CR. : credit, CR. : credit, CR. : credit, CR. : credit

Segment 72 Relating to the Visual Impairment & Rehabilitation option

The credits in this option are distributed as follows : 22 compulsory credits, of which 5 are attributed to the completion of a directed research project, and 23 optional credits.

Block 72A

Compulsory – 15 credits

Course
Title
CR. H
IDV 6017
Psychosocial Aspects of Visual Impairment
3
IDV 6020
Functional Aspects of Visual Pathology
3
IDV 6024
Rehabilitation Services in Visual Impairment
3
Course
Title
CR. H
IDV 6025
Visual Impairment & Related Disabilities
3
IDV 6038
Visual Impairment Across the Lifespan
3

Block 72B1 Concentration Orientation & Mobility

Optional – 23 credits

Course
Title
CR. H
IDV 6003
Fundamentals of Orientation & Mobility
3
IDV 6004
Intervention Strategies in Orientation & Mobility
3
IDV 6007A
Internship in Orientation & Mobility 1
2
IDV 6007B
Internship in Orientation & Mobility 2
6
Course
Title
CR. H
IDV 6016
Low Vision & Mobility
3
IDV 6031
Assessment in Orientation & Mobility
3
IDV 6032
Simulation & Techniques in Orientation & Mobility
3

Block 72B2 Concentration Vision Rehabilitation Therapy

Optional – 23 credits

Course
Title
CR. H
IDV 6015A
Internship in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy 1
2
IDV 6015B
Internship in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy 2
6
IDV 6026
Assessment in Vision Rehabilitation
3
IDV 6027
Braille and Visual Impairment
3
Course
Title
CR. H
IDV 6028
Computer-based Assistive Technology I
3
IDV 6029
Computer-based Assistive Technology II
3
IDV 6030
Living with Visual Impairment
3

Block 72B3 Concentration Low Vision

Optional – 23 credits

Course
Title
CR. H
IDV 6030
Living with Visual Impairment
3
IDV 6033
Assessment in Low Vision
3
IDV 6034
Low Vision Intervention I – Enhancing Visual Function
3
IDV 6035
Low Vision Intervention II – Optical Devices
3
Course
Title
CR. H
IDV 6036
Low Vision Intervention III – High-Tech Devices
3
IDV 6037A
Low Vision Internship I
2
IDV 6037B
Low Vision Internship 2
6

Block 72C

Compulsory - 1 credit

Course
Title
CR. H
SCV 60011
Research Seminar 1
0
Course
Title
CR. H
SCV 60012
Research Seminar 2
1

Block 72D

Optional - 1 credit

Course
Title
CR. H
BIE 6046
Introduction : Ethics in Research
1
Course
Title
CR. H
MMD 6005
Ethics and Health Research
1

Block 72E Directed Research Project

Compulsory - 5 credits

Course
Title
CR. H
SCV 68001
Directed Research Project 1
0
SCV 68002
Directed Research Project 2
0
Course
Title
CR. H
SCV 68003
Directed Research Project 3
5

Academic regulations

Academic regulations for graduate and postdoctoral studies (page in French)

Program-specific regulations

Studies are governed by the Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and by the following provisions: 

1.1 Eligibility requirements  To be eligible for admission as a regular student to the M.Sc. (vision sciences) the candidate must:

Option: Visual Impairment & Rehabilitation 

  • satisfy the general admissions conditions (section XI) set out by the Regulations of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
  • have completed an undergraduate degree, or its equivalent, in an area of study that adequately prepares one for the chosen graduate field
  • have obtained a cumulative GPA at the undergraduate level of 3.0 out of 4.3 or equivalent