Assistive Technology (Graduate Certificate)

Assistive Technology (Graduate Certificate)
Person using assistive technology at their computer

The University of New Hampshire's Assistive Technology Certificate introduces students to cutting-edge tools and techniques that connect individuals with the applications of assistive technology to provide them with greater independence at home, school, work, or play. Online students will be encouraged to learn by doing, exploring, creating and applying clinical reasoning skills throughout guided online instruction. 

  Credit Hours: 12   |     Program Length: 10-12 months  |    Tuition Cost

 

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Why get a graduate certificate in assistive technology?

Assistive technology is the use of adaptive tools, equipment and systems to help people with disabilities live their lives fully at home, work, school and play. Our certificate program will give you access to the most current, cutting-edge tools and techniques in the field. Whether you’re looking to advance your career or are considering a career change that will allow you to help others, this program will give you the skills to work in a number of areas, including education, engineering, physical and occupational therapy, and rehabilitation counseling.

Why get your assistive technology certificate at UNH?

You’ll learn by doing in our assistive technology certificate program, working with full-time faculty who are leaders and innovators in the field, as well as a student success coach. The coursework is split evenly between online content and hands-on interaction with assistive technology devices, tools, and materials. You’ll build valuable skills while learning how to apply assistive technology tools for all ages, disabilities and life functions. Our graduates are encouraged to pursue the National RESNA - Assistive Technology Professional Certification to obtain ATP credentials.

Potential careers

  • Accessibility specialist
  • Adaptive equipment designer
  • Assistive technology consultant
  • Compliance analyst
  • Disability service organization director
  • Early intervention specialist
  • Employment specialist
  • Instructional technology specialist
  • Vocational rehabilitation program administrator

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Curriculum & Requirements

The online graduate certificate in assistive technology is available to students who have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher.  The program provides training in the application of AT for individuals of all ages who experience physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments that affect participation at home, school, or work. Coursework includes basic principles of assessment, selection, fabrication, and training in the use of AT. Graduates of the program are prepared to provide a wide variety of AT services including: conducting AT evaluations and consultations; designing, fabricating, modifying, customizing, and maintaining devices; and AT service coordination.

Graduates of the program are prepared to work in collaborative teams and to become leaders in assistive technology. This online graduate certificate program is appropriate for individuals pursuing or engaged in the following careers: occupational, physical, speech, or recreation therapy; rehabilitation counseling; engineering; education; special education; or nursing. The online program includes optional ways to obtain hands-on interaction with AT, including one intensive AT day, on campus, interacting with technology related to each course offered in fall and spring. 

For additional program information, please visit our website at the link above.

The online graduate certificate in assistive technology is a 12-credit program.

Certificate Requirements

Core Courses 1
OT 831Introduction to Assistive Technology Principles2
OT 832Introduction to Assistive Technology Practices2
Select 4 additional courses from the below: 28
OT 833
Assistive Technology for Physical Access I: Electronic Technologies
OT 834
Assistive Technology for Physical Access II: Mobility, Seating, and Transportation
OT 835
Assistive Technology for Communication and Cognition
OT 836
Assistive Technology for Vision and Hearing
OT 889
Using iPads to Support Children with Disabilities
Any approved assistive technology elective course
Total Credits12
1

OT 830 and OT 830L can be used to fulfill the core courses for students in the Occupational Therapy Program and entering the Accelerated Certificate program.

2

OT 833, OT 834, OT 835 & OT 836 are recommended for students interested in the Assistive Technology Practitioner ATP Certification Exam.

This graduate program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with certain undergraduate degree programs.

General Accelerated Master's policy, note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher grade expectations) compared to the policy.

Please see the Graduate School website and contact the department directly for more information.

Apply now

Deadlines

Deadlines: Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

  • Fall: July 1
  • Spring: December 1
  • Summer: May 1

Application fee: $25

Campus: Online

New England Regional: No

Accelerated Certificate: Yes (for more details see the accelerated certificate (masters) information page)

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

  • Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
  • Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of Recommendation: 2 Required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

  1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
  2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Important Notes

Please note that 50% of the content is online and 50% is hands-on interacting with assistive technology during two intensive hands-on exploration weekends. However, for students who are unable to travel to campus, they can submit videos that demonstrate skill acquisition using specific assistive technologies found in their state, facility, school, community, hospital, or current country of residence.

Accelerated Master’s students must enroll in the Advanced Standing Occupational Therapy program prior to receiving the graduate certificate. All successfully completed certificate courses would count towards the Master’s.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.

Questions

For program-specific application questions, please contact the UNH Online Student Success Coaches: unh.online@unh.edu or 855.250.6699

Explore Program Details

Tuition & Fees:

The University of New Hampshire’s online graduate tuition and fees information is available on the UNH Business Services Website. Program costs and technology fees are subject to change.

Course Fees: Specific courses may have additional course fees. Visit the course schedule for more information. 

TUITION & FEES INFORMATION

Financial Aid:

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans are a form of federal financial aid available to Graduate Students. To apply, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

College of Health & Human Services

Our AT certificate students can work with The Institute on Disability, the lead agency for New Hampshire’s statewide Assistive Technology Act Program that offers services, training, education and outreach.
Learn more.

Student & Faculty Spotlights

  • Sajay Arthanat AT Faculty
    Overcoming the Barriers
    As a high schooler, Dr. Arthanat’s career aspirations shifted dramatically after his grandfather suffered a massive stroke. Facing a gap in rehabilitative services, Sajay became the daily care provider for a partially paralyzed adult no longer able to speak or independently perform daily activities. Using a trial-and-error approach, he developed his own…
    Learn More
  • Hannah Rossignol AT 2022
    The Blending
    First impressions of Hannah Rossignol paint the portrait of a warm, energetic woman who loves to learn and enjoys blending her diverse creative talents. Although she majored in Occupational Therapy for undergraduate and graduate studies at University of New Hampshire, she also completed a minor in architectural studies, spending a term in Copenhagen, Denmark…
    Learn More
  • Casey Rabideau
    The Darkest Day
    A native of upstate New York, Casey Rabideau moved to New Hampshire to pursue an education from UNH and found her niche. After earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, Rabideau completed a graduate certificate in the online Assistive Technology…
    Learn More
  • Kathy Blake
    The Best Job in the World
    In our visually oriented society, Kathy Blake helps young people with vision impairment adapt to their universe.  Although she originally planned to become a biology teacher, Kathy also enjoyed transcribing Braille for students with vision challenges, an interest that subsequently sparked a desire to earn a Masters of Education (MEd) in Blind and Vision Studies from the…
    Learn More