BS/MS in Health Sciences/Occupational Therapy
The combined Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences/Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (BS/MSOT) is a five-year program that prepares students for rewarding careers as occupational therapists.
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) is a post-baccalaureate professional program leading to eligibility for licensing as an occupational therapist. Flexible options for Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) available.
MS
76 Credits
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) is a post-baccalaureate professional program designed to prepare students for licensing as certified occupational therapists. Students benefit from personal attention, strong fieldwork partnerships, and research opportunities in a two-year, full-time program.
Students also have the unique benefit of interprofessional education with faculty and students in our nursing, physical therapy and prosthetics & orthotics programs. As we are very focused on our students' career success, our program is competitively priced, offering one of the lowest cost programs in the region.
The MSOT program has been granted candidacy status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). We anticipate receiving full accreditation in the spring of 2024.
Occupational therapists (OTs) work with people of all ages, helping them overcome health challenges to live active, independent lives. They may assist young children who have physical or mental disabilities, individuals who have sustained a brain injury, or older adults recovering from a stroke. OTs work in a variety of settings including schools, homes, outpatient clinics, mental health facilities, and hospitals.
The MSOT program prepares students for OT careers through a series of foundational science courses, clinical skills laboratories, and current theories in practice. Our expert faculty, curriculum and supervised learning experiences assure that students are educationally prepared and clinically competent to provide optimal care, as well as implement therapeutic approaches to improve quality of life of their patients/clients.
During the program, students will have several integrated experiences with specific populations from pediatrics to adults. There will be integrated fieldwork experiences in the first spring, second summer, and second fall semester. The culminating fieldwork experiences are full-time fieldwork during the last semester of the professional program.
As a student in the MSOT program, you will benefit from:
Learn more about occupational therapy at UHart in this short video with Program Director Sarah Psillas:
Occupational therapists help people with health challenges participate in life to the fullest. They may help them learn or re-learn skills like dressing, eating, bathing, preparing meals, driving, and work and leisure activities. From a child with autism to a wounded warrior with a double amputation, this video from our national occupational therapy association AOTA shows the different ways OTs help their clients achieve their goals:
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) is a 76-credit program. The following is a sample of courses; for the full list of requirements and course descriptions see the course catalog.
Summer - 12 credits
Gross Anatomy and Lab - 4 credits
Kinesiology and Lab - 3 credits
Introduction to Occupational Therapy - 3 credits
Research Methods - 2 credits
Fall - 17 credits
Neuroscience Lab - 1 credit
Neuroscience and Occupation - 3 credits
Occupational Analysis - 2 credits
Theory & Foundations of OT - 3 credits
Group Dynamics - 2 credits
Communication Skills for Effective Practice - 3 credits
Scientific Inquiry I - 3 credits
Spring - 18 credits
Scientific Inquiry II - 2 credits
OT Practice with Children & Adolescents - 6 credits
OT Service Delivery for Children & Adolescents - 3 credits
Assessment throughout the Lifespan - 3 credits
Assistive Technology - 4 credits
Summer - 12 credits
OT Practice in Mental Health - 6 credits
OT Service Delivery for Mental Health & Wellness - 3 credits
Health Promotion, Wellness & Program Development in the Community - 3 credits
Fall - 17 credits
Leadership & Management of OT Services - 4 credits
OT Practice with Adults and Older Adults - 6 credits
OT Service Delivery for Physical Rehab - 3 credits
Fieldwork and Professional Practice Seminar - 2 credits
Scientific Inquiry III - 2 credits
Spring - 0 credits
Level II Fieldwork
Level II Fieldwork (first half)
Level II Fieldwork (second half)
Note: Finishes in June
Occupational therapists are in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects jobs for occupational therapists to grow 12 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all jobs. Occupational therapy will continue to be an important part of treatment for people with various illnesses and disabilities, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy, autism, or loss of a limb. The need for occupational therapists is expected to remain strong as the U.S. population ages and people with disabilities desire to remain physically active, productive and independent.
Applicants for the MSOT should apply through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS). The program begins in May and admissions are rolling until filled. The materials listed below must be submitted with your completed application.
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at the University of Hartford requires the following:
Advanced Placement Test Policy: The University of Hartford generally grants credit to students who have earned scores of 3 or higher (4 for English Composition) on the appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) examination. Please see the AP Credits from Testing form here for additional details.
Transfer Credit Policy: Transfer credits from other programs or institutions are not accepted toward the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program requirements.
Work Experience/Experiential Learning: No credit will be given for work experiences or experiential learning.
PLEASE NOTE: A felony conviction may delay or prohibit certification through NBCOT and could prevent state licensure. For more information, refer to www.nbcot.org
The following are prerequisite courses/content areas that must have been completed at the college level in the past five years. This includes university, four-year college or community college courses. It does not include preparatory or Advanced Placement courses. Applicants may have two prerequisite courses in progress when you apply.
Courses marked with an asterisk are content areas that may be fulfilled with other approved coursework. If you are unsure if you have the correct prerequisite courses to apply, we encourage you to reach out to the program at otprogram@aprender-a-bailar.com.
The following are estimated tuition and fees for the MSOT program:
Year 1 of Graduate Phase | |
Summer tuition | $7,515 |
Fall tuition | $13,397 |
Spring tuition | $13,397 |
Course/Lab Fees | $850 |
Books/Supplies (estimated) | $1,400 |
Technology, registration fees | $562 |
Year 2 of Graduate Phase | |
Summer tuition | $7,515 |
Fall tuition | $13,397 |
Course/lab fees | $1,050 |
Books/supplies (estimated) | $700 |
Technology, registration fees | $562 |
Level II Fieldwork fees | $3,400 |
Estimated Total Cost | $63,695 |
** Fees do not include room and board or out-of-pocket expenses and are subject to change.
Program graduates, graduation rates and NBCOT exam pass rates will be included here after the first graduating class completes the program.
1. Students will understand the meaning of occupation and its depth and importance to the profession and therapeutic process, identifying assessments, interventions, and outcomes to improve occupational engagement, health, well-being, and participation in life.
2. Students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills required of an entry-level occupational therapist to apply the domain and process of the OTPF.
Demonstrate critical reasoning needed to carry out and professionally document the therapeutic process (collaborating with clients to gather, develop and analyze occupational profiles, screening, identify and complete assessment tools, goals, reassessment, and discharge).
3. Students will be prepared to be lifelong learners who are good and ethical consumers, producers, and supporters of research who apply evidence to the therapeutic process.
4. Students will practice in a professional and collaborative manner consistent with established legal, professional, and ethical standards and guidelines.
5. Students will collaborate interprofessionally and with community partners, demonstrating leadership and advocacy skills.
The University of Hartford Occupational Therapy Program will:
1. Recruit and retain a qualified, diverse faculty to cover the depth and breadth of the content in the curriculum.
2. Retain 90% of students on part-time or alternative schedules.
3. 100% of students will be placed in preferred area of practice for at least one Level II fieldwork site.
4. 95% of students will pass the NBCOT examination within the testing year.
5. Employment within 6 months of passing their NBCOT for 95% of students.
The entry-level occupational therapy master’s degree program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Preaccreditation Status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 200, North Bethesda, MD 20852-4929. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is (301) 652-AOTA and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. The program must complete an on-site evaluation and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, all states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.
NOTE: Students must complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork within 24 months following completion of the didactic portion of the program.
Heather Johnson
Program Specialist, Occupational Therapy Program
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
860-768-5207
hejohnson@aprender-a-bailar.com
Graduate Admission Office
860.768.4371
gradstudy@aprender-a-bailar.com
The combined Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences/Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (BS/MSOT) is a five-year program that prepares students for rewarding careers as occupational therapists.
This program collaborates with Hanger Clinic to offer a Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics. Professionals in this field design, fabricate, and fit orthoses and prostheses for a range of clients from pediatric to geriatric. There is also a five-year combined BS/MSPO program offered.
The DPT is an entry-level professional physical therapy program designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another subject area who have satisfied the prerequisite course requirements.