Internship
The internship provides students with practical experience in the field that prepares them for a career in assistive or access technology. While all didactic courses will be available online, you will still need to complete the internship requirement in person.
Students must complete a 240-hour clinical practicum/internship. This internship can be completed within a clinic, hospital, community organization, school, manufacturing or supply company, or any other approved facilities. The hours count towards the work experience requirements to sit for the RESNA Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) certification exam.
Students have interned locally and nationally at some of the following organizations:
- UPMC Rehabilitation Hospital
- Pittsburgh Children’s Rehabilitation Institute
- Veteran’s Administration
- UPMC Center for Assistive Technology
- Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind
- U.S. Rehab
- Numotion
- National Seating and Mobility
- Sunrise Medical
- Permobil
- Quantum Rehab
- UPMC Disability Resource Center
- Three Rivers Adaptive Sports
- Tobii-Dynavox
The program prides itself on the willingness to work with students regarding their internships. Upon entering the program, students are encouraged to talk with their advisor and clinical coordinator if they want to be placed at a specific site or have a particular geographic or focus area of interest.
Deep Dive Immersions
The Deep Dive is an in-person immersion that walks students through each area of assistive technology in a real-world setting with clients. Students will be required to attend a hands-on lab in Pittsburgh over one to two days during the fall and spring terms. Students explore everything from computer access and mobility technologies to adaptive driving equipment.
What to Expect
Students work with their peers in stations facilitated by faculty who have dual roles in providing assistive technology to clients. Students typically can arrive on Thursday night or early Friday morning to participate in a full-day session on Friday and a half day on Saturday, allowing them to either spend a few days in Pittsburgh (there’s a lot to offer around campus and town!) or just spend one night. To make the most of the students’ in-person time, in the fall, the program coordinates the Deep Dive with an optional ‘Professional Pledge’, a ceremony that includes a keynote speaker where students commit to upholding the ethical and moral standards of the rehabilitation technology field.
Housing Considerations for Visiting Pittsburgh
Costs of housing and day-to-day living needs and expenses are the responsibility of the student during these Deep Dive immersion sessions.
If students choose to complete the program while living in Pittsburgh, please note that Pitt does not offer graduate housing or housing options for this portion of the program. Graduate students live off campus in surrounding communities.
