What to Expect
The UIC Assistive Technology Certificate Program (ATCP) is a flexible package of courses offered by the Department of Disability and Human Development (DHD).
To earn the certificate, students must complete a minimum of 12 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 assigned ATCP faculty advisor to choose elective courses based on their professional goals, including an assessment-related course in their area of AT concentration.
Most ATCP students take 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 may be counted toward completion. Students must maintain a B average overall and only courses with a grade of C or above will meet completion requirements.
ATCP Courses
Courses are offered fall, spring and summer. Although a few courses are offered multiple semesters, most are offered only once during the academic year. The chart below shows our current selection of courses or download a printable Course Planning Chart. A minimum of 5 students is needed to run a course.
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 ATCP, individual courses with a grade of B or higher can be applied to the program requirements.
ATCP Field Experience
Students enrolled in the AT 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 assessment of regional AT services and observation of AT service delivery at approved sites in their geographical area (offered all semesters).
- 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).
For more information on these options, download the ATCP Field Experience Guide.
What do I receive at the end of the program?
How do I register for courses?
Most students are working professionals taking courses for continuing education so should register through UIC’s Extended Campus program. The links below will take you to the individual course registration pages where you will find information about the course, including the UIC Extended Campus tuition rate per credit hour. However, 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.
Online Courses
| DHD 559 | Ergonomics and Safety for Workers with Disabilities (CRCC approved) Instructor: Hedman | 1 credit |
| DHD 562 | Mobile Technology and Computers: Built-in Accessibility Features (CRCC approved) Instructor: Hooyenga | 1 credit |
| DHD 567 | AAC for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder Instructor: Taege & Politano | 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 |
Blended/Lab-based Course at UIC
| DHD 441 | Adaptive Equipment Design and Fabrication (cancelled due to pandemic restrictions) Instructors: Hooyenga, Graham & Hedman | 3 credits |
Resources
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ATCP Plan of Study
The Plan of Study form admitted students complete with their advisor.
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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.
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Disability Cultural Center
Facilitating access for students with disabilities
| 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: Cochrane & Politano | 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: 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 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 Wheelchair Technology Instructor: Sposato | 1 credit – second 5 weeks |
| DHD 558 | Powered Wheelchair Technology Instructor: Sposato | 1 credit – last 5 weeks |
| DHD 568 | Supporting Augmentative Communication in Educational Settings Instructors: Malnar & Politano | 3 credits |
Blended/Lab-based Course at UIC
| DHD 551 | Computers, Communication and Controls in Rehabilitation Technology Instructors: Hooyenga, Politano & Sposato | 3 credits |