What to Expect
The UIC-DHD Assistive Technology Certificate Program (ATCP) is a flexible package of courses offered by the Department of Disability and Human Development (DHD). The certificate program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Education (CoA-RATE).
What are the requirements?
To earn the AT certificate, students must complete a minimum of 13 credit hours.* All ATCP students are required to take DHD 440 Introduction to Assistive Technology (3 credits) and complete an ATCP Field Experience (1-3 credits). Students work with their ATCP faculty advisor to choose elective courses based on their professional goals, including an assessment-related course in their area of AT concentration.
* Starting Spring 2022. Requirement for current students is 12 credits.
What electives can I take?
We currently offer 18 elective courses in a variety of AT concentrations:
- Augmentative and alternative communication
- AT in educational settings
- Computer access
- AT design and fabrication (DIY maker)
- Environmental modification
- Seating and wheeled mobility
How long does it take?
Most ATCP students take 1-3 credits of coursework per semester and complete the program within four semesters (e.g. fall, spring, summer, fall). Individual courses taken prior to admittance can be applied. Students must maintain a B average overall and only courses with a grade of C or above will meet completion requirements.
When are ATCP courses offered?
Courses are offered throughout the year (fall, spring and summer). Although a few courses are offered multiple semesters, most are offered only once during the academic year. Almost all courses are offered online, except for one or two that require on-campus participation. A minimum of 5 registered students is needed to run a course.
How are courses delivered?
Online courses are delivered through Blackboard, UIC’s learning management system, in weekly units. They are asynchronous, meaning there is no specific meeting time. However, some courses offer synchronous live sessions for collaborative learning that are scheduled at the beginning of the course or are offered multiple times during a given week.
Can I take just one course?
Yes! All ATCP courses (except DHD 590 Field Experience) can be taken individually for continuing education without applying for the Certificate Program. If the student is later accepted into the certificate program, individual courses with a grade of B or higher can be applied to the certificate program requirements. Register today for individual courses through UIC’s Extended Campus.
What is the ATCP field experience?
Students enrolled in the certificate program must complete a field experience toward the end of the program. There are three options for the field experience:
- Working professionals can complete a field experience within their own work setting and work responsibilities under the supervision of a RESNA-certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP). If no RESNA-certified ATP is available onsite, remote supervision will be provided by UIC ATCP faculty using Zoom (offered all semesters).
- Students can complete a comprehensive investigation of regional AT services and an observation of AT service delivery at approved sites in their geographical area (offered all semesters).
- Students can complete a case study within their scope of practice. The case study is intended to simulate a direct service and will be self-selected (based on a client to whom AT services have been provided in the past or will be provided in the future).
- Students near Chicago can take DHD 441 Adaptive Equipment Design and Fabrication, a lab-based course taught on-campus during the summer (offered every two years).
How do I register for courses?
Most ATCP students are working professionals who are not enrolled in a degree program at UIC so they register through UIC’s Extended Campus program. Use the links in the chart below to find individual course registration pages. UIC students enrolled in a graduate degree program at UIC should register for ATCP courses through the XE Registration System and will be charged their regular tuition rate, which includes campus fees.
How much does it cost?
For students taking courses through UIC’s Extended Campus, the current tuition rate is $495 per credit hour. Completing all 12 credits of the certificate program will cost $5940. Unfortunately, we do not have any scholarship programs available at this time.
What do I receive at the end of the program?
ATCP Summer Online Courses
| DHD 559 | Ergonomics and Safety for Workers with Disabilities (CRCC approved) Instructor: Hedman | 1 credit |
| DHD 567 | AAC for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder Instructor: Bay | 2 credits |
| DHD 569 | Environmental Modification Instructor: Hedman | 1 credit |
| DHD 594 | Special Topic: Technology to Support Universal Design for Learning Instructor: Skalitzky | 1 credit |
| DHD 594 | Special Topic: Assistive Technology and Transportation Instructor: Salkas | 2 credits |
| DHD 594 | Special Topic: 3D Printing in Assistive Technology Instructor: Hooyenga | 1 credit |
ATCP Summer Lab-based Course at UIC
| DHD 441 | Adaptive Equipment Design and Fabrication Instructors: Hooyenga, Graham & Hedman | 3 credits |
Resources
-
ATCP Student Handbook
Complete description of ATCP courses, field experience options, and policies.
-
UIC Disability Resource Center
Empowering the UIC community with the knowledge, resources, and skills necessary to ensure full access and engagement for students with disabilities in all aspects of college life.
-
Disability Cultural Center
Engage an understanding of disability as a social justice issue and a site for identity, community, and culture
ATCP Fall Online Courses
| DHD 440 | Introduction to Assistive Technology Required Course (fall or spring) Instructors: All ATCP faculty | 3 credits |
| DHD 544 | Assistive Technology in Early Childhood Settings Instructors: Woodson | 2 credits |
| DHD 548 | Assistive Technology Tools for Education Instructors: Cochrane, Lenzo & Bass | 3 credits |
| DHD 553 | Assistive Technology for individuals who are Visually Impaired or Blind Instructor: Sessler-Trinkowsky | 1 credit |
| DHD 554 | Augmentative Communication Assessment Instructor: Bay & Politano | 3 credits |
| DHD 555 | Consideration, Assessment, and Documentation of AT in PreK-12 Educational Settings Instructor: Cochrane | 3 credits |
| DHD 566 | Intro to Microcontrollers in Assistive Technology Instructors: Hooyenga & Browning | 2 credits |
| DHD 590 (by arrangement) | Field Experience Instructors: Lee & Miller | 1 credit |
ATCP Spring Online Courses
| DHD 440 | Introduction to Assistive Technology Required Course (fall or spring) Instructors: All ATCP faculty | 3 credits |
| DHD 555 | Consideration, Assessment, and Documentation of AT in PreK-12 Educational Settings Instructor: Cochrane | 3 credits |
| DHD 556 | Seating and Positioning for Wheelchair Mobility Instructor: Sposato | 1 credit – first 5 weeks |
| DHD 557 | Manual and Powered Wheelchair Technology Instructor: Sposato | 2 credits – last 10 weeks |
| DHD 568 | Supporting Augmentative Communication in Educational Settings Instructors: Malnar & Politano | 3 credits |
| DHD 562 Note: formerly offered during summer | Mobile Technology and Computers: Built-In Accessibility Features Instructors: Hooyenga & Brown | 1 credit |
| DHD 590 (by arrangement) | Field Experience Instructors: Lee & Miller | 1 credit |