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. Students will be encouraged to learn by doing, exploring, creating and applying clinical reasoning skills throughout guided online instruction.
Credit Hours: 15 | Program Length: 10-12 months
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.
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.
The online graduate certificate in assistive technology is a 15-credit program, 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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| OT 831 | Introduction to Assistive Technology Principles | 2 |
| OT 832 | Introduction to Assistive Technology Practices | 2 |
| OT 833 | Assistive Technology and Physical Disabilities for Electronic Devices | 2 |
| OT 834 | Assistive Technology and Physical Disabilities for the Home, Community and Employment | 2 |
| OT 835 | Assistive Technology for Communication and Cognitive Impairments | 2 |
| OT 836 | Assistive Technology and Vision and Hearing Impairments | 2 |
| One approved assistive technology elective course | 3-4 | |
| Total Credits | 15-16 | |
Deadlines: Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
Application fee: $25
Campus: Online
New England Regional: No
Accelerated Certificate: Yes (for more details see the accelerated certificate (masters) information page)
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.
If you attended UNH after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester and UNH Non-Degree work.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must request one official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. International transcripts must be translated into English. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
Transcripts are required for any school you earned a degree from, attended for at least one year, or attended for 2 or more semesters. Exceptions to this rule may be approved at the discretion of the program you are applying to and the UNH Graduate School Admission’s office.
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:
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.
The University of New Hampshire recommends that international applicants who are living outside of the United States, and are planning on pursuing a research based degree, submit a preapplication form before submitting a full application. Your preapplication request will be carefully reviewed and a decision usually provided within 3 weeks. If your preapplication is approved then it is recommended you then submit a full application. If you are currently living in the United States (on a H1B visa, etc.), or you plan on pursuing a professional master’s degree, then you do not need to submit a preapplication.
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.
For program-specific application questions, please contact the UNH Online Student Success Coaches: unh.online@unh.edu or 855.250.6699
Tuition for 2021-22 Academic Year:
Program Total Number of Credits: 15-16
Technology Fee per Semester:
Our program has five 8-week e-terms per academic calendar year. Students who successfully complete two courses per e-term, as outlined below, earn their certificate in 12 months. Taking fewer courses per term will extend the completion timeframe.
Assistive Technology Sample Schedule