When Dr. Heather Kuhaneck was seeking to become an occupational therapist, her school options for an OT degree were largely limited to private programs at expensive universities. That experience, it turns out, laid the groundwork that helped to deliver an affordable, accessible program to students at Southern.
Starting May 27, the university will launch Connecticut’s first public master’s program in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) — a two-year journey that stands to transform aspiring healthcare professionals into skilled problem solvers. The program isn’t just another academic course; it’s a revolutionary approach to learning that puts doing at the heart of education.
Kuhaneck, a professor in the Department of Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management and the program’s lead architect, understands that occupational therapy is fundamentally about empowerment.
“OTs can work with people that are preparing for surgery, or who end up hospitalized. Elderly people have lots of reasons to need OT, such as a hip fracture. There’s also a growing population of young people with learning needs,” Kuhaneck said. “Our two biggest practice areas are nursing homes and school-based settings.”
“It’s all about helping people do the things that are important to do,” she said.
The new MSOT program also delivers an inclusive component that Kuhaneck hopes will bring more diversity to the field. White women compose the highest percentage of occupational therapists, she said. That signals a need for the field to expand its recruits by making OT education affordable, flexible, and relatable.
“We want our professionals to look like the clients they’re going to be serving,” she said.
With roughly 50% of Southern’s undergraduate population comprising students of color, as well as a lot of veterans and first-generation students, Kuhaneck said that diversity provides the opportunity to bring more of the undergraduates into the OT program.
The program’s innovative design offers small class sizes, strong community partnerships, and state-of-the-art facilities. Using a cutting-edge, evidence-based format, students will engage with material through flipped classrooms, Visual Thinking Strategies, and competency-based assessments. This isn’t passive learning — it’s active, immersive training that mirrors the real-world challenges occupational therapists face daily.
For working adults, the program’s flexibility is a game-changer. Two cohorts — one meeting Mondays and Wednesdays, another Tuesdays and Thursdays — will accommodate diverse schedules. Classes run from noon to 8 p.m., allowing students to balance work, family, and academic pursuits. Childcare options and strategically planned fieldwork experiences further support student success.
At its core, occupational therapy is about understanding human potential. Therapists don’t just treat symptoms; they analyze activities, break down complex tasks, and create personalized interventions. Whether helping a stroke survivor relearn cooking skills or assisting a child with developmental challenges to improve motor coordination, OTs are problem-solving experts.
The program’s curriculum reflects this holistic approach. Students will learn to assess patients comprehensively — observing strengths, identifying barriers, and developing innovative solutions. They’ll master activity analysis, understanding how to modify environments, teach new skills, and empower individuals to achieve their goals.
Students will do fieldwork in a variety of community-based service-learning opportunities and settings, Kuhaneck said. They will do coursework in modules of six or eight weeks, so they can focus on half the courses at a time to help ensure their success.
The new MSOT program is timely for Southern. As with many health care professions, the need for occupational therapists is increasing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs in OT are expected to grow by 14% between 2021 and 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
The MSOT program is located within the College of Health and Human Services, home to some of the most highly respected and sought-after degree programs in the region. Enhancing its strong reputation is modernized technological support, positioning the MSOT program to deliver a world-class experience for its students.
Applications are open until February 1, 2025, with interview invitations extended on March 7. The first cohort will begin its transformative journey in May. For students entering the exciting new program, it isn’t just a master’s program — it’s an opportunity to join a profession that changes lives, one meaningful activity at a time.
Kuhaneck said creativity and a positive attitude are two of the traits that help occupational therapists excel at their job.
“You definitely want to be a ‘people person’ and like people. It’s good to have an openness to learning about other people, and an openness to change and being flexible. Another good trait is hopefulness. You’re working with people to help them have hope that they can change and do the things they want to do,” Kuhaneck said.
For information on the master’s in occupational therapy program, visit the website and click on the “holistic admissions process” link.
