Students are selected on the basis of demonstrated mature judgment, emotional and social maturity, adaptability, resourcefulness, and leadership potential. Letters of recommendation are required. Admission requirements unique to particular programs have already been noted with the descriptive material relevant to each program. All blind rehabilitation programs require placements in agencies, hospitals, or other relevant institutions, generally for the final year of study. Two such placements are required, each of six months' duration.
Prospective practitioners work with clients under the supervision of regular staff.
Placements are located across the United States, and students have some latitude in selecting appropriate sites. Vision Rehabilitation Clinic Department staff provide clinical services to referred clients from the Kalamazoo community at the WMU Unified Clinics , a division of the College of Health and Human Services. Several college programs also utilize the building for their clinical services, making the overall program interdisciplinary in nature. The vision clinic typically sees persons who are no longer able to function efficiently or independently due to vision deterioration. In the case of the Orientation and Mobility for Working-Age Adults and the Rehabilitation Teaching Program, the department administers a federal grant that provides tuition assistance and a stipend to help support eligible students during their studies.