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Assistive Technology, Graduate Certificate
This graduate certificate program prepares students to provide assistive technology services to children and adults with disabilities. It provides knowledge and skill development for professionals across disability fields including education, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation engineering, vocational counseling, psychology, social work and other professions related to the support of persons with disabilities. Students may take this program as a stand-alone program or in conjunction with a graduate degree program.
This program addresses the need for comprehensive training efforts in the field of assistive technology. Content is based on nationally recognized competency standards of professional organizations including the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), the Rehabilitation, Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Graduates of this program will be better prepared academically to take the RESNA national credentialing examination, to provide assistive technology services, and to work as an interdisciplinary assistive technology team member.
This graduate certificate program gives you in-depth skills and practical competencies in delivering assistive technology services to people with disabilities. The certificate content is based on nationally recognized competency statements of various professional organizations.
Requirements Accordion Open
University Requirements
- Graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit hours. Many certificate programs require more than 12 credit hours.
No more than one 400-level NAU course (3 or 4 units) may be used on a certificate program.
No more than 25% of the units required for the certificate program may be transferred from another university.
A 400-level course (undergraduate course) completed at another university is not eligible for transfer credit.
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved to obtain a graduate certificate. No more than three units of coursework with a grade of "C" may be used in a certificate program.
A graduate student may pursue a graduate certificate concurrently with a graduate degree. Each graduate degree program must decide which, if any, certificate courses can be counted toward the graduate degree.
Students who are admitted to a graduate certificate program will be eligible for the official posting of the graduate certificate to their transcripts when all applicable coursework has been successfully completed and approved by the academic unit and the Graduate College.
- Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates, if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program). See the “Details” tab for additional information.
Overview Accordion Closed
Overview
In addition to University Requirements:
- Complete individual plan requirements.
Please note that students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 14 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Fieldwork Experience/Internship is required. |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the Assistive Technology Graduate Certificate is to provide students with expertise and skills to provide evidence-based assistive technology evaluation and implementation services to children and adults with disabilities to improve participation in educational, work, and community settings.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will describe and discuss applications of best practice and ethical practice within the field of assistive technology.
- Students will be able to address individual needs for assistive technology, through assessment and implementation, using a professionally recognized assistive technology framework with a collaborative team approach.
- Students will be prepared to consider all persons with disabilities as potential candidates for assistive technology assessment.
- Students will be prepared to address the individual assistive technology needs of persons with disabilities through dynamic, ongoing, responsive, and data driven assessment, system procurement, and system implementation using collaborative team approaches.
- Students will be prepared to compare, contrast, and identify necessary features of assistive technology tools and strategies to meet the individual needs of consumers considering a progression of assistive technology from light technology to high technology.
- Students will be prepared to demonstrate professional leadership, specialty area knowledge, and serve as a resource within their individual professional discipline in the area of assistive technology.
Details Accordion Closed
Details
Additional Admission Requirements
- Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
- NAU Graduate Online application is required for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
- Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or the equivalent.
- Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
- Transcripts
- For details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy
- International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy
Individual program admission requirements include:
There are no individual program admission requirements.
Certificate Requirements
Take the following 14 units:
Core Courses (6 units)
Specialization Electives:
Independent Study- DIS 689 (2 units)
This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Under both circumstances, federal financial aid can be used for this certificate.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.
Graduate Certificate in Assistive Technology
- Training graduate students and professionals in the consideration and application of assistive technology tools and strategies for persons with disabilities.
- Applications are accepted each fall. The application deadline is August 1st.
- If you would like to apply for the program after this deadline, please contact: ATCert@nau.edu to discuss your options. The graduate certificate in assistive technology provides foundational knowledge in assistive technology and advanced training in the assessment and application of assistive technology tools and strategies.
- Graduates are prepared to provide services for persons with disabilities in a variety of environments across the lifespan.
Program highlights Accordion Closed
- Part-time program designed for working professionals and students enrolled in graduate degree programs.
- Student learning is facilitated through interactive online coursework taught by faculty who are practitioners working in diverse fields of assistive technology practice.
- Students engage in hands-on learning through individualized activities, including a lab experience.
- Students apply their learning in a final capstone project. Students will design a project to reflect the learning and application of the principles of assistive technology assessment and implementation with the goal of improving participation and quality of life for persons with disabilities.
Our students Accordion Closed
- Education
- Special Education
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Rehabilitation Counseling
Financing your education
- Our Office of Student Financial Aid can assist you in estimating the cost to attend graduate school.
- Online tuition rates apply.
- The Graduate Certificate in Assistive Technology is a member of the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) and provides resident tuition rates for students from qualifying resident states.
- Military, Veteran, and World Wide University tuition discounts are also available for qualified students.