Visual rehabilitation degrees are offered at the certificate, undergraduate, graduate or doctorate level. Individuals with degrees in fields such as education, occupational therapy or nursing can enhance their skills with a VRT certificate. Bachelor's or master's degrees can be obtained in VRT, or a related field with certification in visual rehabilitation. Doctorate degrees are geared toward individuals who have experience in the VRT field and want to teach undergraduate VRT courses or focus on research. Students at any of these levels can attend classes on campus, use a distance learning option or obtain their degree or certificate fully online.
Courses taken to earn a VRT certificate include: communication systems, use of assistive devices, personal management and home management, activities of daily living, recreation and leisure activities, orientation and mobility skills, and medical management. Many students pick a concentration, such as working with seniors or children, or doing research.
The University of Massachusetts offers a visual rehabilitation online program. The program is a part of the education department and grants students a master's in education with a certificate in VRT. Students use their personal computers, and earn practicum credit by working with a visual rehabilitation therapist.
Hunter College in New York City prepares students for careers in VRT by granting master's degrees in rehabilitation teaching. Students may choose to add an advanced certificate in orientation and mobility. Students do online courses during the regular school year, and attend labs and classes on campus during the summer.
The University of Alabama-Birmingham offers an occupational therapy degree with an emphasis in VRT that is taught in a traditional classroom setting. Students attend day or evening classes. They are taught by occupational therapy and ophthalmology instructors. Practicums and field work are required upon completion of the program's classroom portion.