Assistive Technology Certificate
About
The certificate program is designed to provide supplemental training to practitioners needing to use AT with the individuals with disabilities with whom they work. Some may wish to complete the certificate and some individuals may wish to only take specific courses to meet their needs.
Purpose
The certificate program is designed to provide supplemental training to practitioners needing to use AT with the individuals with disabilities with whom they work.
Advisor
- Cindy George - cgeorge4@gmu.edu
- Dr. Michael Behrmann - mbehrman@gmu.edu
Admissions
Check the Admissions page for information pertaining to being admitted into this program. If you should have additional questions, please email the faculty advisor above.
Audience
It is appropriate for those who need to apply AT solutions within their specific discipline or school, work, home or community setting. For example:
- general and special educators,
- related service personnel (OT, PT, SLP, etc),
- instructional and web designers
- rehabilitation counselors
- adult service providers, and
- family and care givers who work with various individuals with disabilities.
Course Credits (Total 15 hrs)
The courses are one (five weeks), two (10 weeks) and three (full semester) credit courses. They are offered periodically throughout the semester.
Required Hours (5 hrs)
The certificate program has two required courses totaling 5 credits.
- EDSE/EDIT 510: Introduction to Assistive Technology (3 hr) is the first course students should take in the program. This course fosters an understanding of assistive technology and its application in instructional programs, career tasks and life skills for persons with disabilities.
- EDSE 610: Designing Adaptive Environments (2 hr) is designed to be the last certificate course taken, and addresses legal issues within the ADA for adapting environments and addresses programmatic and physical access issues related to AT.
- EDSE/EDIT 522: Assistive Technology for Individuals w/ Sensory Impairments (2-3 hr)
- EDSE/EDIT 523: Accessibility/ Input Modification (1-3 hr)
- EDSE/EDIT 524: Assistive Technology for Individuals w/ Learning Disabilities (2 hr)
- EDSE/EDIT 525: Software for Individuals with Special Needs (1-2 hr)
- EDSE/EDIT 526: Web Accessibility (3 hrs)
- EDSE 527: Adapted Sports, Recreation, and Leisure (1 hr)
- EDSE 528: Low - Tech Assistive Technology Solutions (1 hr)
- EDSE/EDIT 529: Internet as an AT Tool (2 hrs)
- EDSE 622: Augmentative Communication or EDSE 534 (3 hrs)
- EDSE 534: Communication and Severe Disabilities or EDSE 622 (3 hrs)
- EDIT 797: Special Topics (1-3 hr)
- EDUC 600: Workshop in Education (1-6 hr)
Elective Course Hours (10 hrs)
The remaining 10 credits of coursework can be selected from a list of elective courses which are focused on developing and applying specific AT skills. The purpose of the electives is to enable students to take courses that focus on the population(s) of persons with disabilities with whom they work and to engage in practical applications of AT.
Typical Structure and Sequence of Courses
Thus, the entire coursework for the Assistive Technology Certificate can all be completed within 2007. For more information, please contact Cindy George at the Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities, cgeorge4@gmu.edu
Spring Semester
It begins with EDSE/EDIT 510: Introduction to Assistive Technology, which is 90% a distance ed. course.
Summer Semester
This class is followed by the scheduling of all the elective possibilites which are offered in a condensed fashion throughout July and August. A Certificate in Assistive Technology requires 10 credits of these electives. Each of these elective courses provide a component of distance ed.
Fall Semester
The final required course for the Certificate is held in the Fall semester. EDSE 610: Designing Adaptive Environments meets face-to-face for a weekend in September. The remainder of the semester is used to complete a community project. The final class session is during an evening in December.
Varying Credits
Many of the elective courses are listed as multiple credit (e.g. 1-3). Variable credit courses will enable GSE and the IT program to better respond to school division needs as well as to adapt the curriculum to new and developing technologies in our fast changing society. For example, new software and hardware tools are constantly being introduced to the market and there is demand for training on the use and application of those tools. For that reason, these courses may be repeated at the discretion of the advisor. The AT Certificate chart depicts the courses in the certificate program curriculum. Varying credits enable the course to be modified to focus and/or expand on the various levels of training to be provided:
- knowledge & awareness,
- skill development, and
- practical application.
Masters Program?
These courses are also connected to our Masters program. Learn More...