Southern Connecticut State University offers a two-year, 60-credit MS in Occupational Therapy with summer entry. Applicants complete specified prerequisites, submit a Casper score and may be invited to multiple mini-interviews. Initial interview screening considers undergraduate and prerequisite GPAs alongside Casper. The program has ACOTE candidacy status; it must obtain accreditation before graduates are eligible for the NBCOT certification examination.
- Program
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT)
- Credential
- MSOT
- Location
- New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Interview
- Multiple mini interview (MMI)
- Seats
- 40 planned seats, with at least 20 available for qualifying Connecticut State Universities graduates
- Length
- Two years, 60 credits
Casper Requirement for Southern Connecticut State University Occupational Therapy
Southern Connecticut State University Occupational Therapy requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.
Southern Connecticut State University Occupational Therapy Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- SCSU Graduate Admissions Portal
- Applications open
- July 1, 2026
- Application fee
- $50 non-refundable
Southern Connecticut State University Occupational Therapy Admissions Statistics
Period: Entering summer cohort (admissions plan)
- Seats / class size: 40 planned seats, with at least 20 available for qualifying Connecticut State Universities graduates
Eligibility Requirements for Southern Connecticut State University Occupational Therapy
- Degree / credits
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, conferred no later than two weeks before classes begin; submit an official transcript showing the degree.
- Citizenship
Undocumented students may apply; Connecticut OT licensure requires a Social Security number.
- Language proficiency
Applicants whose native language is not English must document proficiency through an accepted English test, ELS 112 or a US associate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree.
Applicants need not have earned their bachelor's degree before applying. SCSU considers qualified applicants regardless of where they earned it; the program reserves at least 20 seats for qualifying Connecticut State Universities graduates.
Selection Factors Southern Connecticut State University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II with lab | 8 credits Labs and all testing must be in person; lecture content may be online. |
| Abnormal Psychology | 3 credits |
| Lifespan or Human Development | 3-9 credits covering the lifespan |
| Sociology or Social Psychology | 3 credits |
| Research Methods or Introductory Statistics | 3 credits |
GPA
- How it is calculated
SCSU calculates cumulative undergraduate GPA as the weighted average of cumulative GPAs on each institution's transcript. The OT program separately evaluates the combined GPA of required prerequisites.
- Minimum
- 3.0 combined prerequisite GPA; each prerequisite must have a grade of B- or better. A 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA is required to earn the degree.
Prerequisites must be graded, not pass/fail. Each may be retaken once and none expires. At most one may be in progress at the application deadline; admission can be conditional on its grade and the required prerequisite GPA.
Admissions tests
- English proficiency (required for some applicants): If English is not your native language: TOEFL iBT 4.5 for tests after January 1, 2026, or 79 for earlier tests; IELTS 6.5; Duolingo 105; Pearson 53; ELS 112; or an earned US degree. SCSU also accepts TOEFL paper 550 or computer 213.
Experience and volunteer hours
Recommended.
No minimum observation, volunteer or work hours are specified. Interview stations may explore employment, healthcare exposure, service, leadership, exposure to OT and other life experiences.
Supplementary application
Submit a résumé or CV and official transcripts from every college or university attended. The OT program does not require recommendation letters or a personal statement.
How applicants are ranked
SCSU uses holistic review of experiences, attributes and metrics. An initial weighted screening of undergraduate GPA, prerequisite GPA and Casper score determines interview invitations; multiple mini-interviews explore applicants' attributes and experiences.
Interview Format at Southern Connecticut State University
Format: Multiple mini interview (MMI)
Multiple mini-interview stations explore qualities such as creativity, communication, ethics and problem-solving, as well as relevant life experiences.
- Who is invited
- Applicants selected through initial screening
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Southern Connecticut State University Occupational Therapy
- Program length
- Two years, 60 credits
- Structure
Subject-centered curriculum focused on occupation and the occupational therapist's unique role in supporting occupational engagement.
The 60-credit curriculum includes community practice, capstone work and 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork. A 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA is required for graduation. The program has ACOTE candidacy status and must obtain accreditation before graduates are eligible to sit for the NBCOT certification exam.
Campus and facilities
New Haven's location supports clinical affiliations for hands-on training. Matriculants emphasize balancing academics with practical preparation for U.S. practice, avoiding international placements that complicate licensure.
Tuition and Funding at Southern Connecticut State University
- 2026-2027 full-time graduate commuter charges, Connecticut resident: $14,960 for fall and spring
- 2026-2027 full-time graduate commuter charges, international student: $19,318 for fall and spring
- Occupational therapy program fee: $300 per full-time semester, or $34 per credit part-time
Tuition varies by residency and enrollment. Full-time students from other US states receive a reduced out-of-state rate.
Southern Connecticut State University's Mission and Values
Our curriculum is “subject-centered” (Hooper, Molineux, & Wood, 2020), focused on occupation and the occupational therapist's unique role in supporting occupational engagement.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe the program as engaging from the start, with one first-year MSOT student reporting excitement about neuroscience coursework despite initial concerns about rigor. Students report positive experiences with neuroscience coursework. Forum contributors describe SCSU's MSOT as a practical choice for in-state applicants seeking lower costs and fewer complications from international fieldwork; current students advise staying in-state for cost efficiency and a smoother transition to practice.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Southern Connecticut State University Occupational Therapy Application
- Request official transcripts and check every required prerequisite, including the in-person anatomy and physiology labs.
- Complete Casper and request score distribution to SCSU Occupational Therapy; check Acuity Insights for available sittings.
- Prepare examples of work, service, healthcare, leadership and other life experiences for the multiple mini-interview.
Frequently Asked Questions About Southern Connecticut State University Occupational Therapy
Does Southern Connecticut State University MSOT require Casper?
Yes. Complete Casper and request score distribution to SCSU Occupational Therapy.
What is the minimum GPA for SCSU Occupational Therapy MSOT?
Prerequisites require a combined 3.0 GPA and grades of B- or better; a 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA is required for graduation.
Is there an interview for Southern Connecticut State University MSOT?
Selected applicants attend multiple mini-interviews that explore attributes and relevant experiences.
What are the Casper test dates for SCSU MSOT?
Check Acuity Insights for available Casper sittings and request score distribution to SCSU Occupational Therapy.
How long is the SCSU Occupational Therapy MSOT program?
It is a two-year, 60-credit program.
Does SCSU MSOT require prerequisites like neuroscience?
Neuroscience is not listed. Required courses include anatomy and physiology with labs, abnormal psychology, lifespan or human development, sociology or social psychology, and research methods or introductory statistics.
Can international students apply to SCSU Occupational Therapy?
Yes. International applicants must meet the program and graduate-school requirements, including applicable credential and English-proficiency requirements.
What is the tuition for Southern Connecticut State University MSOT?
See SCSU's published graduate tuition and fees, including the occupational therapy program fee; charges vary by residency and enrollment.
Sources
- SCSU: Applying to the MS in Occupational Therapy
- SCSU: Graduate Admissions
- SCSU: Graduate Programs
- SCSU Graduate Catalog: Occupational Therapy, M.S.
- SCSU Graduate Catalog: Tuition and Fees
- Acuity Insights: Test Dates and Fees
Last updated: September 26, 2026