This 15-credit certificate program prepares special educators, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists to integrate assistive technology with instruction for improving communication and social interaction of students with disabilities. Participants learn best practices for the evaluation, acquisition, training, and use of assistive technologies in teaching communication and social skills. Students design and evaluate technology-based communication strategies within a multidisciplinary team.
Applicants must hold a bachelor's or master's degree in education or in a related field from an accredited institution of higher education and possess skills equivalent to those taught in 893.515 Hardware, Operating, and Networking Systems for Schools.
In addition, students may combine this certificate with a second certificate in special education to pursue the Master of Science in General Special Education Studies.
Requirements (15 credits)
892.548 Assistive Technology Evaluation: A Team Approach
(Lab Class) Participants examine collaborative models for conducting assistive technology evaluations. Class members investigate a variety of methods for assessing how technology improves student performance and learning outcomes. Students explore methods of finding and developing resources to support team evaluations that identify how assistive technology can promote learning.
892.560 Assistive Technology for Educating Individuals with Low Incidence Disabilities
(Lab Class) Participants explore a wide range of assistive technology applications for children with disabilities. Students consider needs based on the type of disabling condition, such as physical, cognitive, sensory disabilities, or multiple complex needs, as demonstrated by children with pervasive developmental disorders such as autism. Exploration of technology emphasizes the integration of assistive technology into effective instructional practices that improve learning research on best practices for the implementation of technology-based solutions.
892.561 Advanced Applications of Assistive Technology for Individuals with Disabilities
Students study strategies for integrating assistive technology into instruction using an in-depth problem solving approach. This course utilizes a case study approach to support the application of research to effective instructional practices to the development of advanced technology-based interventions for students with special needs. Students analyze the individual needs of the child, environmental factors, task demands, and educational goals. Class members design projects that solve instructional dilemmas by skillfully applying assistive technology to improve access to learning.
892.562 Access to General Education Curriculum with Technology Accommodations
(Lab Class) Class members investigate student characteristics, the collaborative role of educators, and strategies for differentiating instruction for students with learning disabilities within the general education environment. Participants examine universal design for learning strategies and technologies to enhance student participation in educational programs.
892.800 Graduate Internship in Assistive Technology
The graduate internship provides students the opportunity to individualize their program experience, to sharpen existing skills, to gain new skills, and to pursue their technology interests. The internship is designed to produce a professional, customized learning experience that stretches the student through his/her participation in the development, design, implementation, or evaluation of high-quality technology products, projects, or services. Internships are aligned to individual student’s schedules and can include collaborative opportunities with public and private sector organizations and agencies that have local, regional, national, or international interests.
Students must earn a grade of B or better in the required internship. If a student earns a grade below B in the internship, the student must repeat the internship, and earn a grade of B or A. Students may not register for any other course during the repeated internship.
The information below includes program-related disclosures provided pursuant to federal regulations issued by the United States Department of Education on October 29, 2010, required for title IV eligible certificate programs that lead to gainful employment in a recognized occupation.
1. CIP Code: 13.1202 Elementary Education and Teaching
2. Credential Level: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
3. Program Length
a. Credits: 15
b. Weeks: 45
a. Tuition & Fees: $10,155
b. Books & Supplies (if not included in tuition/fees): $750
c. Room & Board (if applicable): Not Applicable
6. On-time Completion Rate* (2011-12): Not Applicable
7. Job Placement Rate: Not Applicable
8. Median Loan Debt upon Program Completion* (2011-12): Not Applicable
a. Title IV debt: Not Applicable
b. Private Educational Loan debt: Not Applicable
c. Institutional Financing debt: Not Applicable
*Note: Fewer than 10 students graduated from this program in the 2011-12 academic year. Therefore, in accordance with US Department of Education guidelines on student privacy, the On-time Completion Rate and Median Loan Debt upon Program Completion data are not published.
