Admission

School of Optometry

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

Graduate 2-656-1-2

August 2025
Start of session
Full-time
Plan of study
45 credits
Without dissertation or thesis track
Program Type
Application deadline
Start of admission: August 15, 2024
Offered at the Montréal campus

Bon à savoir! Ce programme s’adresse autant aux francophones qu’aux anglophones. Consultez la fiche descriptive en français pour en savoir plus.

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

Overview

About this program

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.

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

Options

The focus of this option is to train clinicians working with the visually impaired, as well as to promote applied and clinical research in this area.

Note that the option you are interested in may not be offered during the session for which you wish to apply.

Advantages of studying optometry at UdeM
Specialize in rehabilitation services for the visually impaired in English

  • Be part of UdeM’s School of Optometry, a renowned leader in education and research in vision science, eye health, and visual impairment rehabilitation
  • Register to sit the exam of the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals to obtain international certification
  • Take advantage of the opportunity to contribute to the AIDE (access, inclusion, diversity and equity) principle
  • Discover UdeM’s vision clinic that brings together a number of specialized clinics
  • Thrive in an open and stimulating learning and research environment
  • Do internships here or around the world as of the first session

Courses and specifics

For contact information on the program director or student file management technician, or to find out more about the faculty or department hosting the program, please see the page in French.

  • 45 credits
  • Full-time
  • Day course
  • Without dissertation or thesis track
Take a look at some topics covered.
IDV 6003Fundamentals of Orientation & Mobility

Fundamentals in the acquisition of movement skills. An introduction to the principles of concept development, spatial orientation, and environmental analysis related to independent travel by individuals who are visually impaired.

 

IDV 6004Intervention Strategies in Orientation & Mobility

Functional assessment and analysis of travel needs, developing individual rehabilitation programs and intervention strategies that are pertinent to the client population at large.

 

IDV 6007AInternship in Orientation & Mobility 1

Observational internship examining individual interventions designed for children, working-age adults and the elderly who are visually impaired.

 

IDV 6007BInternship in Orientation & Mobility 2

Application of knowledge and skills in a rehabilitation environment. Students will demonstrate their competency through pedagogical activities and through their intervention strategies and the provision of services.

IDV 6016Low Vision & Mobility

The functional impact of low vision on mobility. Principles of optics and magnification. Environmental factors. Skills, strategies and training in the use of optical assistive devices.

IDV 6031Assessment in Orientation & Mobility

Examination and practice of methods available to assess the visual status of a visually impaired person in a multi-sensory context.

IDV 6032Simulation & Techniques in Orientation & Mobility

This course will allow students to experience traveling in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings under blindfold and a variety of simulated vision losses.  The course will also address instructional strategies.

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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:

Be sure to select your choices to display the eligibility conditions that apply to you.

Note that the quantitative criteria indicated above does not replace a qualitative review of your application. These criteria are provided for information purposes only. Eligibility for a study program does not guarantee an offer of admission. Information on this page may change without notice.

Costs and financial aid

$2,022.23 *

*Total for a full-time session of 15 credits


Tuition fees: $1,440.45

Other fees: $581.78

These amounts are estimates and do not account for other expenses, such as costs for insurance, residence, transportation, manuals, etc.

Check your legal status

These estimates cannot at any time subsitute for an invoice or be used as proof for any reason whatsoever. These calculations are based on the 2023-2024 academic year.
Information updated: May 19, 2023

$5,077.73 *

*Total for a full-time session of 15 credits


Tuition fees: $4,495.95

Other fees: $581.78

These amounts are estimates and do not account for other expenses, such as costs for insurance, residence, transportation, manuals, etc.

Good news! You may be able to lower this amount!

Under certain conditions, Canadian students who are not residents of Quebec can follow university study programs offered in French while benefiting from the same tuition fees as residents of Quebec.

Check eligibility criteria

Check your legal status

These estimates cannot at any time subsitute for an invoice or be used as proof for any reason whatsoever. These calculations are based on the 2023-2024 academic year.
Information updated: May 19, 2023

$10,858.28 *

*Total for a full-time session of 15 credits


Tuition fees: $10,276.50

Other fees: $581.78

These amounts are estimates and do not account for other expenses, such as costs for insurance, residence, transportation, manuals, etc.

Good news! You may be able to lower this amount!

As an international student, you have access to exemption scholarships granted by UdeM throughout your university program. Note that for ungraduated programs, you must be enrolled as a full-time student for two sessions and reside in Quebec in the case of exclusively online study programs.

Find out about the UdeM exemption scholarship

These estimates cannot at any time subsitute for an invoice or be used as proof for any reason whatsoever. These calculations are based on the 2023-2024 academic year.
Information updated: May 19, 2023

$2,022.23 *

*Total for a full-time session of 15 credits


Tuition fees: $1,440.45

Other fees: $581.78

These amounts are estimates and do not account for other expenses, such as costs for insurance, residence, transportation, manuals, etc.

These estimates cannot at any time subsitute for an invoice or be used as proof for any reason whatsoever. These calculations are based on the 2023-2024 academic year.
Information updated: May 19, 2023

Calculate tuition fees based on other situations

Available financial assistance

Future prospects Pursuing a career or further studies? The choice is yours!

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.

[Translate to English:] Spécialiste en réadaptation déficience visuelle, orientation et mobilité
Orientation and mobility specialist
[Translate to English:] Spécialiste en réadaptation déficience visuelle, basse vision
Low vision specialist
[Translate to English:] Spécialiste en réadaptation déficience visuelle, réadaptation visuelle
Vision rehabilitation therapist

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Research activities

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