Assistive Technology Certificate Program

The Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program (ATACP) offers practical tools and techniques of assistive technology accommodations and applications to meet the needs of individuals with various disabilities in many settings. In addition, ATACP addresses the tools and techniques behind the assistive technology that enhances the effectiveness in the area of assistive technology applications.

Who should attend?

  • Individuals with disabilities and/or their family members
  • Educators, including special education teachers and school administrators
  • Public and private rehabilitation personnel
  • Employers, human resource specialists and accommodation specialists
  • ADA and Section 508 administrators for universities and colleges
  • Assistive and information technology specialists
  • Occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech and language pathologists

What should participants expect to learn?

The Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program (ATACP) provides a practical approach to the applications of assistive technology to meet the needs of individuals with various disabilities in many settings. 

Learning objectives for the participants are the following:

  • A wide range of applications for assistive technology in the home, school, workplace and community environments
  • Addressing individual needs through a collaborative team approach and a national assessment framework
  • Existing and new assistive technology for people with disabilities, including, but not limited to, augmentative and alternative communication, environmental controls, seating and positioning, mobility devices, ergonomics, computer access technology, and technology for people with learning, physical, cognitive and/or sensory disabilities
  • Resources to support assistive technology devices and services

Certificate and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

ATACP meets the 100-hour requirement for a certificate in assistive technology applications with 10 CEUs from California State University, Northridge's Tseng College of Extended Learning and the Center on Disabilities. 

How is ATACP delivered?

ATACP is offered three times per year — Fall, Spring and Summer. All sessions are  offered entirely online.  The course is not self-paced and includes both synchronous and asynchronous components, including readings, written assignments, group discussions, and live lectures. The curriculum and content of all three sessions is identical. 

The Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program (ATACP) meets the 100-hour requirement to earn a certificate in assistive technology applications and 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the CSUN Center on Disabilities and the CSUN Tseng College.

The 16-week course covers a range of topics, divided into 10 Modules.  The topics are described below:

Course Description

Course Module and Description
Topic Description

Intro to Assistive Technology

This module covers the potential of assistive technology to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. In addition, the field of assistive technology is ever-changing, and this module will discuss new areas of emphasis and growing trends in the field.

AT Assessment

Assistive technology recommendations are best when they meet the needs of the individual requiring such technology and address the outcomes desired. This module focuses on the AT assessment process in order to effectively identify an appropriate action plan.

Aging & Chronic Illness

This module will explore needs of those in the aging population and those living with chronic illness. A wide range of practical applications and a broad scope of assistive technology will be addressed. This module will guide the participant through various assistive technologies and considerations pertinent to these populations.

Blind/Low Vision & Deaf/Hard of Hearing

This module will explore the needs of the blind, low vision, deaf, and hard of hearing populations. A wide range of practical applications and a broad scope of assistive technology will be addressed. This module will guide the participant through various assistive technologies and considerations pertinent to these populations.

Autism & Intellectual Disabilities

This module will explore the needs of those living with autism and intellectual disabilities. A wide range of practical applications and a broad scope of assistive technology will be addressed. This module will guide the participant through various assistive technologies and considerations pertinent to these populations.

AAC

This module will discuss augmentative and alternate communication. A wide range of practical applications and a broad scope of assistive technology will be addressed along with considerations when working with those requiring AAC interventions.

Digital Access

This module will focus on specific areas of assistive technology and elaborate on individual features of technology, applications and resources to gain further knowledge.

Education to Employment

AT is often used across the lifespan. From early education to higher education and entering the workplace, assistive technology solutions should bridge the transitions. This module will explore these transitions and important points in time along the way.

AT Administration

As an assistive technology professional, it is important to understand the leadership traits necessary to ultimately meet the needs of your clients. Leadership within this field has a tremendous impact on many aspects of assistive technology, including service delivery, device production and universal design. In addition, this module will cover funding, legislative and policy issues.

Final Project

A practical independent or group project is required in order to earn the certificate. Participants are encouraged to develop a project to meet the needs of people with disabilities and/or their organization. The project will be developed and approved.

Individuals interested in the certificate program must complete an application form; applications are accepted year-round. Notices of enrollment during designated enrollment periods for each session will be sent via email to all individuals who have submitted an application. *Space is limited in each of the Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program (ATACP) sessions and early enrollment is strongly encouraged to ensure availability.

Each participant will receive access to the comprehensive online course that includes reading materials, written assignments, group activities, discussion forums and live lectures. The course combines both synchronous and asynchronous components, and follows a session schedule with due dates. This is not a self-paced program.

The course is offered on an e-learning platform that provides a virtual classroom. While the course is delivered online, it does mimic an in-person classroom. Users of JAWS or other screen readers can access the course and should be knowledgeable on using personal hardware and software. In order to access the course, participants must have an active email account and access to the Internet. Internet access must not be intermittent. Do not enroll in a session during which you anticipate long periods of absence. Computer speakers and microphone are preferred, but not required. 

Certificate and Continuing Education Unit (CEU) requirements

ATACP students must complete the required course work with a passing grade of B- or higher to earn the certificate. Certificates are issued approximately 4-8 weeks after the completion of the session. Please note that grades are not printed on the certificate. Students who earn the certificate automatically earn the 10 CEUs which are printed on the certificate. The CEUs are general CSUN CEUs and if a student would like to apply those CEUs towards any particular organization or association, it is up to the student to coordinate that directly with the independent party. Students can also order transcripts of their participation in the certificate program. Transcripts are normally available for order from CSUN Admissions & Records about 4-8 weeks after the completion of the session.

Total fee to enroll is $1,895.

The fee includes the cost for instruction, reading materials (included in the course), technology fees, and certificate. There are no additional costs to participate.

Payment is due by the enrollment deadline (see the Upcoming Sessions tab for more details) in order to secure a spot. All prospective students who have submitted an application will receive detailed enrollment instructions and payment information at the start of each session's enrollment period.

*Total fee to enroll will increase to $2,100 as of the Summer 2025 enrollment period.

Payment

Credit card is the only accepted form of payment. All major credit cards accepted, except Discover. Checks and purchase orders will be returned and will not secure a spot in the session.  Prospective students must complete the application form prior to making payment.  If payment is made without a submitted application, the enrollment will be cancelled and subject to a $100 processing fee.

Refund policy

Anyone that opts to cancel their enrollment is eligible for a partial refund of $1,445, only if the request is received in writing, by the session's enrollment deadline.  No refunds will be made thereafter; no exceptions.  Once enrolled, students cannot defer their enrollment to a future session or transfer their enrollment to another person. 

The Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program (ATACP) is offered three times per year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Application forms are accepted on a rolling basis and we encourage those interested in the program to complete an application at any time, in order to receive communications regarding each upcoming session.

A submitted application does not enroll a person into a session. Enrollment details and instructions are emailed, ahead of each enrollment period, to anyone that has completed the form. If you are interested in enrolling in a future session, be sure to complete the application early in the enrollment period or even before it begins. Enrollment concludes at the stated deadline.

*Total fee to enroll will increase to $2,100 as of the Summer 2025 enrollment period.

Session Dates

Session Dates and Enrollment Deadline
Session Session Dates Enrollment Period
Fall 2024 August 26 to December 13, 2024 Closed
Spring 2025 January 13 to May 2, 2025 November 18 to December 6, 2024 at 3:00 PM PDT
Summer 2025 May 5 to August 22, 2025 March 24 to April 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM PDT
Fall 2025 August 25 to December 12, 2025 July 7 to July 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM PDT
Spring 2026 January 12 to May 1, 2026 November 17 to November 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM PDT
Summer 2026 May 4 to August 21, 2026 March 23 to April 10, 2026 at 3:00 PM PDT
Fall 2026 August 24 to December 11, 2026 July 6 to July 24, 2026 at 3:00 PM PDT

Thank you for your interest in the Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program (ATACP). The ATACP is designed to provide a practical approach to the applications of assistive technology in meeting the needs of individuals with various disabilities in many settings. Please complete and submit the application online.

The course is offered three times per year — fall, spring and summer. We will accept completed application forms year-round, but do refer to the following session dates and enrollment period for when we admit students into the session in the Upcoming Sessions section. There is no late enrollment available for any of the sessions.

Please complete and submit the application online.

There is no payment collected when you submit the application. Once an application is sent you will receive confirmation of receipt. When enrollment begins for the next session, you will receive notice with instructions for completing enrollment via email.
If you require assistance to complete the application, please contact us at conference@csun.edu or (818) 677-2578.

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