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Ready to build the skills and confidence to deliver high-quality, client-centered care and make a meaningful impact as an occupational therapist? With a 100% NBCOT pass rate, our accredited MSOT curriculum blends strong science foundations, hands-on clinical labs, and expert faculty mentorship. Plus, our tuition rates are competitive when compared to other MSOT programs in the area!
Full Time
Rolling AdmissionMS
73 Credits
Congrats to our first MSOT cohort for achieving a 100% pass rate on the NBCOT exam!
Our MSOT program is ranked among the best by U.S. News and World Report, 2025.
Register for an upcoming Virtual Information Session or Open House event.
You, ready to make a difference.
Our fully accredited MSOT program prepares you for a meaningful career in occupational therapy through a strong blend of science-based coursework, hands-on clinical labs, and evidence-based practice. With expert faculty, an innovative curriculum, and supervised learning experiences, you’ll graduate clinically competent and ready to deliver exceptional, client-centered care that improves quality of life.
As a student in our MSOT program, you will benefit from:
Mentoring, career advising and research opportunities from our expert faculty!
Experience hands-on, interprofessional learning with students in our physical therapy, prosthetics & orthotics, and other health care programs in state-of-the-art facilities in the Hursey Center, our newest academic building (see more below).
Gain real-world experience through our strong fieldwork partnerships with top health care organizations, like LiveWell. Our MSOT students apply their skills in diverse settings, building confidence and connections, which lead to successful career opportunities!
Occupational therapists help people of all ages overcome health challenges so they can fully participate in daily life. From building or rebuilding skills like dressing, eating, and driving to supporting meaningful work and leisure activities, OTs make a life-changing impact. This video from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) highlights how OTs empower everyone—from children with autism to injured veterans—to achieve their goals.
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) is a 73-credit program. Throughout the program, students gain integrated clinical experiences across diverse populations—from pediatrics to adults. Fieldwork is incorporated in the first spring, second summer, and second fall semesters, culminating in full-time, immersive fieldwork during the final semester.
Below is a sample of courses. For the full list of requirements and course descriptions refer to the course catalog.
Summer - 12 credits
Kinesiology and Lab - 4 credits
Introduction to Occupational Therapy - 3 credits
Research Methods - 2 credits
Fall - 17 credits
Neuroscience and Occupation - 4 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
Ranked as a top career with an average salary of $104,700* in Connecticut, occupational therapists are in demand, with jobs expected to grow 12% from 2022 to 2032—much faster than the average for all careers. As the U.S. population ages and people with disabilities strive to stay active and independent, occupational therapists play a vital role in improving lives.
*Salary.com
Camila Harris ’22 M’25, Master of Science in Occupational TherapyHaving spent both her undergraduate and graduate years at UHart, Camila says that her experience has been “more than she could have asked for.” “It has provided me with a safe space to grow and has given me the most amazing memories. I'm extremely fortunate to return to UHart to pursue my master’s degree.”
Applicants for the MSOT program should apply through the Occupational Therapy Centralized Application Service (OTCAS) or through the University's Graduate Admissions Office here. The program will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis until all seats are 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:
Applicants may apply with up to two prerequisites in progress. Accepted students typically have a B- in all prerequisite coursework. Applications are carefully reviewed and prerequisite exceptions are possible based on a holistic review.
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. Applicants may have two prerequisite courses in progress when you apply.
Required:
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 your graduate success counselor, Shannon Saleeba, at saleeba@hartford.edu.
We're here to help!
The following are estimated tuition and fees for the MSOT program. The figures below provide prospective students with an estimate of the costs associated with the MSOT program based on the 2025/2026 academic year tuition rates and fees.* This estimate does not include living expenses, and rates are subject to change each new academic year.
| Year 1 of Graduate Phase | |
| Summer tuition | $7,980.00 |
| Fall tuition | $14,213.00 |
| Spring tuition | $14,213.00 |
| Course/Lab Fees | $800.00 |
| Books/Supplies (estimated) | $1,400.00 |
| Technology, registration fees | $581.00 |
| Year 2 of Graduate Phase | |
| Summer tuition | $7,980.00 |
| Fall tuition | $14,213.00 |
| Course/lab fees | $1,050.00 |
| Books/supplies (estimated) | $700.00 |
| Technology, registration fees | $581.00 |
| Level II Fieldwork fees | $3,400.00 |
| Estimated Total Cost | $67,091.00 |
** Fees do not include room and board or out-of-pocket expenses and are subject to change.
| Graduation Year | Students Entering | Students Who Withdrew or Did Not Graduate with the Entering Cohort (non-academic performance) | Students Graduating | Graduation Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 78% |
| 2024 | 13 | 1 | 11 | 92% |
| 2023** | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Total | 22 | 1 | 18 | 86% |
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 is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E Bethesda, MD 20814. ACOTE’s telephone number c/o AOTA is 301-652-6611 and its web address is www.acoteonline.org. Graduates of the program 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.
Our Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences/Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (BS/MSOT) is a five-year program, which enables you to start your career sooner. Students complete the requirements for the bachelor’s degree and begin the professional program in the fourth year, completing the master's degree by the end of the fifth year.
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