Scholarships Available – New Opportunities for Careers in Rehabilitation of the Blind

Scholarships are now available!

The Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness at Louisiana Tech University is excited to announce that along with its O&M program, it has expanded its training and is launching a brand new concentration in Rehabilitation Teaching for the Blind.

Structured Discovery Cane Travel (SDCT) and Structured Discovery Rehabilitation have been demonstrated to be among the most innovative and effective forms of rehabilitation training for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Louisiana Tech University has operated its Orientation and Mobility program on this model successfully for 18 years, with upwards of 90% successful employment and employer satisfaction rates.

Scholarships are now available for qualified individuals seeking one of the following degree paths:

• Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with Concentration in Orientation and Mobility
• Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance with Concentration in Rehabilitation Teaching for the Blind
• Orientation and Mobility Graduate Certification

Why apply?

•  The field of educating and rehabilitating children and adults who are blind is deeply rewarding and life-changing.
• The job market is wide open; currently, we receive four times the number of employer requests than we have graduates to provide.
• Training occurs on campus in Ruston, Louisiana, and can be completed in as little as one year.
• No prior background or experience in blindness is necessary—we’ll teach you everything you need to know.
• Scholarships are provided on a competitive basis to qualified persons and can cover costs for attending the university.
• Scholarship also support travel to conferences, trainings, and field-based experiences at Structured Discovery training programs.

Who can Apply?

Individuals must already possess a Bachelor’s (B.A.) degree from an accredited university, have a grade point average of 2.5 and obtain a minimum of 287 (Verbal and Quantitative) on the Graduate Records Examination (GRE). Individuals must also be willing to attend courses on campus in Ruston, Louisiana on a full-time basis.

What’s the Catch?

• Payback through service is required. Agreement to receive scholarship funding requires commitment for you to work in the field of rehabilitation for two years for each year of scholarship support you obtain.
• Scholarships cover at least tuition and fees but may cover living and travel costs as well.
• You have to move to Ruston, work hard, study harder, and have the heart to be an O&M or Rehabilitation Teacher of blind persons.

Where do I get started?

• For program details, visit: www.pdrib.com.
• Send an email for more information to: dreed@latech.edu.
• Or contact Edward Bell, Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University to discuss your application: 318-257-4554 or ebell@latech.edu.