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 with the option for certification. 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 prepared academically to take the RESNA national credentialing examination, to provide assistive technology services, and to work with an interdisciplinary evaluation team.
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.
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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.
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Overview
In addition to University Requirements:
- Complete individual plan requirements.
Please note that you 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 | Required |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
Student Learning Outcomes
- Scholars will be prepared to provide effective, equitable, understandable, and respectful quality of assistive technology care and services that are responsive to diverse cultural health beliefs and practices, preferred languages, health literacy, and communication needs.
- Scholars will be prepared to articulate the need for consumer driven services, empowerment, self-advocacy, and self-determination related to the field of assistive technology.
- Scholars will be prepared to implement processes necessary to initiate assistive technology services and procurement inclusive of agency and supplier collaboration across funding sources.
- Scholars will be prepared to communicate 1) definitions of assistive technology categories, 2) a range of products from light technology to high technology across each category, and 3) the need for and use of the products across each category to increase access and inclusion for persons with disabilities.
- Scholars will be able to describe and discuss common pathologies (CP, TBI, CVA, SCI, developmental disorders, and degenerative disorders) and the potential benefits of assistive technologies for persons with these disabilities.
- Scholars will be prepared discuss and apply ethics, research, and evidence based practices across the field of assistive technology including the RESNA Code of Ethics.
- Scholars will be prepared to identify and describe factors which influence assistive technology systems success versus abandonment.
- Scholars will prepared to read and critically analyze assistive technology evaluations and implementation plans.
- Scholars will be able prepared to identify major frameworks of assistive technology and discuss how these frameworks apply to assessment and implementation across the field of assistive technology.
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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:
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Personal statement or essay
- Professional experience working with individuals with disabilities
- Computer with high speed internet access
- Must be able to attend two workshops at the Flagstaff campus. Alternative arrangements may be approved by the program director for students completing the program outside of the state of Arizona.
Certificate Requirements
Independent Study- DIS 689 (2 units)
This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Federal financial aid cannot be used if the certificate is completed as a stand-alone 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
