Professional Diploma for Blindness and Visual Impairment Specialist

currently open

September 2025

you can contact NU School of Continuing Education directly on:

• University phone/WhatsApp: 01015000820
• Email: nusce@nu.edu.eg

Admission and registration process

• Visit Nile University website
• Fill the application form
• Pay the application fees
• Upload the required documents
• Pass the interview
• Receive acceptance
• Pay the tuition fees
• Registration of diploma courses

• Copy of university degree
• Recent Resume (CV)
• Copy of national ID and passport
• Copy of birth certificate (Electronic)
• Recent passport-size photograph

Twice a week as follow:

• Weekend – full days
• Mid- week – evening classes

Note:

The two planned days are: Saturdays and Tuesdays

• The academic classes will be in “blended learning” but mostly on campus. In case of transferring the classes to the online session, this will be communicated to students through the university.
• Some practical/theoretical classes might take place outside the campus
• Attendance is very important

No, this is the 1st intake in Nile University. However, the 1st two intakes took place in another respected and esteemed university.

Applying for O&M or LV major:

• University graduate (From any background)
• Excellent English Command in case interested in applying for the ACVREP exam after obtaining the diploma certification.
• Commitment

The interviews will take place upon paying the application fees and achieving the main admission criteria. The admission office will contact the applicant once the panel is arranged and scheduled.

Note: It is a personal and technical interview.

To be determined later based on the interviewers’ schedule and availability.

You must contact NU school of Continuing Education through the below official email with the modification required to update your application.

• University phone/WhatsApp: 01015000820
• Email: nusce@nu.edu.eg

You must contact NU school of Continuing Education through the below official email with the modification required to update your application.

• University phone/WhatsApp: 01015000820
• Email: nusce@nu.edu.eg

What support services are available during the diploma (academic advisors, tutors, etc)?

There will be an admission advisor to support you in the admission cycle until your registration. Then, there will be an academic coordinator for your guidance and support in the academic part.

No, the major books will be uploaded on the Moodle for your reference.

• The first postgraduate program in Egypt with international standards, graduating highly qualified specialists to deal with visually impaired people in different aspects of life from education to integrating them in society.
• The program combines:

1. Nile University’s expertise in successful continuing education models.
2. Baseera Foundation’s experience in the rehabilitation of visually impaired people through its center of excellence (the first of its kind in Egypt).
3. Western Michigan University’s expertise in Blindness & Low vision studies that is dedicated to utilize the best practices in the field. 

• Offers two main specializations: Orientation and Mobility (O&M) and Low Vision (LV) (under the condition of a minimum number of 10 students and a maximum of 15 students per major).

Orientation and Mobility (O&M)

Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialists provide instruction that can help develop or re-learn the skills and concepts needed by visually impaired to travel safely and independently within their home and in the community. They provide services across the life span, teaching infants and children in pre-school and school programs, as well as adults in a variety of community-based and rehabilitation settings.

For blind babies and toddlers, O&M encourages developing foundational concepts and skills such as movement and basic body awareness which begin in infancy and continue on into adulthood as the individuals learns skills that allow them to navigate their world efficiently, effectively, and safely.

Low Vision (LV)

After Doctors diagnose patients with visual impairment, the role of the Low Vision Therapists begins by developing strategies to maximize the use of the residual vision in order to maintain independence and a sense of self-worth.

Their work also includes visual function assessment, and tailoring a rehabilitation plan for each case. Their services do not offer a cure for the causes of low vision, but they do help the patient learn how to utilize their remaining vision to its fullest potential.                         

1. To Fill the high market demand for visual impairment specialists coming from:

• Over 6 million visually impaired people in Egypt, of which only 20% are totally blind and 80% have residual vision.
• Government’s direction towards the inclusion of disabled people (including visually impaired) in society. Visual impairment also intersects with 30% of all kinds of disabilities
• Lack of professionals understanding the nature, potential of visually impaired people and serving them. Unlike in most of developed countries, there is no updated formal education or training to build the capacities and knowledge of specialized professionals in this field. 

2. The program is the first of its kind in Egypt, and developed by faculty from Western Michigan University in the US, which has one of the best low vision & blindness departments in the world.
3. The program graduates are eligible to apply for the US international accreditation test of the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP), to be internationally certified low vision specialists, highly demanded outside of Egypt (especially in the Gulf).

• Western Michigan University, in the United States

Note: the curricula is designed and prepared by Faculty from WMU. The certificate will be from NU School of Continuing Education only

• Nile University - Home page | NU
• Baseera Foundation -  https://baseerafoundation.org/

• Orientation and Mobility (O&M) - (3 academic semesters + 350 hours in the internship program)
• Low Vision (LV) - (3 academic semesters + 350 hours in the internship program)

Note:

• Each academic semester from 3 to 3.5 months - the course takes 12 sessions/weeks/ (including exams, quizzes, sessions, …etc)
• For the internship  (practical) from 10-12 weeks (full time)  

No, you cannot. You can only apply for the preferred major only in your application. However, you will have the option to change to the other major based on the following criteria:

• Changing from O&M to LV (or vice versa), the students study the same core courses in the 1st semester, so before the 2nd semester starts, the student who desires to change the study major requests a “change of major”, yet the transfer depends on the availability of the 2nd major.

The student has to apply for the preferred major. However, the O&M and LV majors share the same core courses. Hence, the student might have the chance later to take the additional courses related to the other preferred major “2nd major” to attain the double major certification (not the same academic year, the following intake if applicable).

Note: the student must complete the 1st major and obtain the diploma certification.

Yes, there are common courses across the available majors which will be distributed across the semesters.

O&M major specialized courses will be applied in the 2nd semester, as the 1st-semester courses are called “Core courses”.

• Orientation & Mobility:
  • 3 academic semesters with a total of 30 credit hours
  • Each semester consists of 4-6 courses based on the distribution of the schedule.
  • 13 courses (credit hours vary for each course from 1 to 4, depending on the course)
  • Internship – 350 practical hours (to be completed within 10-12 weeks)

• Low Vision:
  • 3 academic semesters with an expected 27 credit hours
  • Each semester consists of 4-6 courses based on the distribution of the schedule.
  • Around 11 courses (credit hours vary for each course from 2 to 4, depending on the course)
  • Internship – 350 practical hours (to be completed within 10-12 weeks)

• Physiology & Function of the Eye – 3 credit hours – (1st semester)
• Development through the lifespan – 2 credit hours – (1st semester)
• Medical and Functional Aspects of Disability - Services for Persons with Disabilities – 2 credit hours – (1st semester)
• Psychosocial Aspects of Disability – 2 credit hours – (1st semester)
• Principles of low vision – 3 credit hours – (2nd semester)
• Itinerancy & Effective School Collaboration – 3 credit hours – (3rd semester)

• Methods of Orientation and Orientation – 4 credit hours – (2nd semester)
• Principles of Orientation and Mobility – 3 credit hours – (2nd semester)
• Braille for O&Mers- 1 credit hour – (2nd semester)
• Orientation and Mobility for Children – 3 credit hours – (3rd semester)
• Electronic Devices – 1 credit hour – (3rd semester)
• Issues in Independent Travel – 2 credit hours – (3rd semester)
• Adapted sports and art - 1 credit hour – (3rd semester)
• Internship program (350 hours) – (4th semester)

• Low vision for CVI and multiple disabilities – 2 credit hours - (2nd semester)
• Principles of Rehabilitation Low Vision - 2 credit hours - (2nd semester)
• Rehabilitation for low vision (elderly) - 2 credit hours - (2nd semester)
• Functional Assessment and Aids - 3 credit hours - (3rd semester)
• Rehabilitation for low vision (Children) – 3 credit hours - (3rd semester)

• Internship program (350 hours) – (4th semester)

The professors or the technical experts hired for the diploma courses are highly qualified to teach the diploma courses; each course needs specific teaching qualifications for the utmost knowledgeable experience. The professors are recommended from well-known universities with an impressive teaching experience. Their resumes are also shared with the diploma consultant for feedback.

Once the student fulfills the academic requirements (passing all courses and achieving the CGPA), he/she will be automatically registered for the practical semester (Internship program), where he/she will have the chance to practically apply all what they have taken in the diploma. The internship is a vital part in the diploma that the student must PASS to be able to obtain the diploma.

*PASS = passing all program competencies + completing the 350 hours

Note:

• In case of failing in any of the courses, you will have to re-take the course the following intake to enable you to register for the internship program.
• In case the CGPA grade is below the university requirement, you will need to retake some courses the following intake to improve the CGPA to enable you to register for the internship program.

The practical semester (internship) will take place in the field outside Nile University. Field internships will include Baseera training centers, disability offices, and others (All places are based on availability and approvals).

The student must fill out a form with all their available days and hours during the week to plan for the schedule before the certified specialist starts the program. The expected dedicated period is 10 to 12 weeks to complete the 350 hours.

*Completing the hours doesn’t mean passing the internship, you must achieve the program competencies.

For the O&M or LV majors, the program specialist must be certified by the ACVREP to enable the student to apply for the ACVREP exam. This specialist is responsible to assess the students’ performance during the program (evaluating the program competencies) and making sure that the students has completed the 350 hours to be able to sign the “Clinical Competency Evaluation Form”. The specialist is supported during the program with Baseera professional specialists to make the whole process an efficient and effective experience.

1. Achieving the minimum university cumulative GPA required.
2. Passing the internship program (achieving the competencies + completing the 350 hours)

The curriculum is designed and developed by faculty from Western Michigan  University - US and will be delivered and certified by Nile University. The O&M and LV graduates are eligible to apply for the international accreditation test from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP), to be internationally certified specialists.

the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) is an international accreditation body that certifies professionals in low vision and blindness majors (Low Vision – Orientation &Mobility).

Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals - ACVREP

Note:

• The exam is offered in English and the student must have an excellent command of English.
• This exam is an optional opportunity if the graduate wants to apply for the exam on his own

The curriculum of the diploma is designed and developed by faculty from USA’s Western Michigan University, and meets all the requirements of the international accreditation body (ACVREP), therefore, our diploma certificate allows our graduates to be eligible to apply for the ACVREP exam to get the international certification (English version). Graduates to apply for the Eligibility on the ACVREP to be able to procced with the following steps.

• The Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) is an international accreditation body that certifies professionals in low vision and blindness majors.
• The ACVREP applications and exam are taken online from Egypt, based on certain approved centers.

• Diploma University transcript
• Clinical Competency Evaluation Form (Internship document signed by the certified specialist + University)
• Create an account on the ACVREP
• Apply for the “Practice exam” - optional
• Apply for exam Eligibility – students’ responsibility
• Apply for the scholarship opportunity – Students’ responsibility

The English/Arabic language will be used during the session and instruction as there are field terminologies required to be illustrated and known in English.

Some of the textbooks will be provided in “Arabic” on the University platform and the English material will be provided so the students can translate it on their own.

Note:

• Students will receive the material in English and translate it on their own.
• Some courses can provide their exams / assignments in Arabic if it is applicable

Some courses can’t be provided in Arabic since they are medical courses.

No, the requirement is just completing the university degree regardless the score/GPA

No, the diploma is the first in Egypt and extremely different from other studies as it is more on skill-based and focuses on building and enhancing professional practice.

All courses are “compulsory” and registered to all students to be able to achieve the academic courses and the internship program for the certification.

In case the student fails any of the courses, he/she will have to retake the course the following intake to be able to register for the internship program upon fulfilling the university CGPA.

No, the major courses applied are the only courses applicable and distributed as per the requirements of each semester.

The duration of the diploma is one full academic year (3 +1). It is advisable to attend the diploma with the same group to attain the best practice. Otherwise, you will not be able to obtain the diploma certificate.

You can apply for “Freez / hold” and continue the following intake from where you stopped. This should be arranged with NU to fulfill the requirements.

The student will have to retake the course the following intake to be able to enter the internship program.

Note: Students must obtain a Cumulative GPA to be able to register for the internship program

There are crucial courses that you need to pass for the selected major of study. Otherwise, you will not be able to continue in the diploma.

Yes, you can safely pass all the courses, yet you should obtain a minimum GPA “grade 3” to be able to receive your certificate. In case you are below the required GPA, you will have to retake some courses to enhance your CGPA.

Each course has its own points distribution. However, all the course requirements are important to be delivered and achieved based on the professors’ instructions. Missing any of the course requirements will negatively affect the total grade.

The application is for 1,500 (Non-refundable)

Not applicable

• The application fees cost is 1,500 EGP (non-refundable).
• The actual cost of the diploma is 2000 $.
• This intake is funded by the Baseera Foundation for People with Visual Impairment and our diploma sponsor, Ataa Charitable Investment Fund for Persons with Disabilities, reducing the contribution required from Egyptian students to 35,000 EGP. Ataa Fund is offering a scholarship for accepted applicants who meet the diploma criteria, leading the diploma tuition fees to be 20,000 EGP.
• For non-Egyptian students, the full cost of 2000 $ must be paid.

• Ataa Charitable Investment Fund for Persons with Disabilities  
• Baseera Foundation for People with Visual Impairment
• Drosos Foundation

The student will pay the needed fees for the course based on the credit hours (to refer back to the NU finance office).

The student will have to reapply for the internship program the following intake, yet will have to pay the internship fees without any subsidy (to refer back to the NU finance office).

This service is not available at Nile University.

This service is not available at Nile University.