Rehabilitation Sciences & Wellness

Chair: Donald Stankus, Jr., R.D., M.S.

Directors: Donald Stankus, M.S., R.D.N., Nutrition Sciences; Jacqui Brown, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathology Program, Susan M. Higgins, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Doctor of Occupational Therapy; Michele Smallidge, Ed.D., RD, Exercise Science

Associate Professors: Jacqui Brown, M.S., CCC-SLP

Assistant Professors: Anisa Ramcharitar-Bourne, PhD, RDN, MB-EAT

Practitioner-in-Residence: Maggie Lyon, RD-CDN

Senior Lecturer: Donald Stankus, Jr., R.D., M.S.

Lecturers: Allison Arnett, MS, RD, CD-N; Kevin Gendron, M.S., CSCS; Kristina Krsiak, OTD, OTR/L; Michele Smallidge, Ed.D., RD

Occupational Therapy, O.T.D.

Director: Susan M. Higgins, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA

The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program at the University of New Haven is a comprehensive and dynamic program crafted to prepare students as entry-level doctoral occupational therapy practitioners. The program focuses on clinical practice skills, research, leadership and advocacy skills, community-based program development, interprofessional practice, and educational methods. The curriculum is designed to construct a deep understanding of occupational therapy theory and practice, emphasizing practical, hands-on experiences. The program promotes community engagement and social responsibility, encouraging students to participate in service projects and outreach activities that positively impact individuals and communities. Committed to staying at the forefront of innovation, the program integrates the latest advancements in technology and research within the field of occupational therapy, preparing students to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape. This transformative educational journey equips students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation needed to excel in the dynamic field of occupational therapy.

Admission Criteria

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 with a grade of C or better in each prerequisite course.
Prerequisites include:
- Anatomy and Physiology (I & II) with lab - 8 credits
- Human Development - 3 credits (e.g., Child and Adolescent Development, Adult Development and Aging, or Life Span Development)
- Abnormal Psychology - 3 credits
- Statistics - 3 credits (e.g., Statistics, Biostatistics, Statistics for Social Sciences)
Prerequisites must meet the following conditions: Anatomy and physiology courses must be completed within four years of application. All other prerequisites must be completed within ten years of application. Each prerequisite course must be completed with a grade of C or better.
At least ten (10) verified observation hours in the past five years.
Three letters of recommendation.
Personal statement/essay addressing prompt - "Explain how your preparation, experiences, and interests have led you to a career in Occupational Therapy and the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program at the University of New Haven."
Resume or curriculum vitae highlighting experience, leadership, and educational potential.
Successful interview (in person or virtual) with Admissions Committee Team.
International Students:

In addition to the above requirements, international students must also provide the following information:
- All applicants must submit a course-by-course evaluation from World Education Services (WES) to show their degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.
- All applicants must submit official scores for language proficiency. A minimum TOEFL score of 100, PTE score of 68, or IELTS score of 7.5 is required.

Nutrition Sciences, M.S.

Director: Donald Stankus, Jr., R.D., M.S.

The Master of Science in Nutrition Sciences program integrates the supervised experiential learning as well as the graduate level didactic learning together into one program meeting all competencies established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Speech-Language Pathology, M.S.

Director: Jacqui Brown, Ed.D., CCC-SLP

The Master of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program prepares students to become healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians, teachers, and other rehabilitation professionals to meet the clients' needs. Students will gain knowledge and skills in the biological, psychological, and social areas. These skills are necessary to diagnose and treat a variety of communication disorders related to cognition and developmental delays. The SLP program prepares students to work as entry-level practitioners in a variety of settings.

There are two tracks for the SLP program. The two-year track is for students that have completed their undergraduate SLP prerequisite coursework. The three-year track is for students that need to complete the SLP prerequisite coursework.

Admissions Criteria:

The admissions criteria for the Master's in SLP program are:

Hold a Bachelor of Science or Arts degree from an accredited college or university.
Cumulative prerequisite course quality point average (QPA) of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale; grades below a "C" are not acceptable.
Overall undergraduate QPA of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale)
It is not necessary to have an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders to pursue the master's degree. However, candidates must complete all prerequisite coursework prior to the start of the Master's program. Prerequisite courses, as shown below, must be completed within ten years preceding entrance into the graduate program.
A minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80 for all applicants from non-English speaking countries
Two letters of recommendation from academic sources
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Please Note: ALL prior schools' transcripts MUST be submitted for review, regardless of whether or not transferred courses appear on the current school transcript.
Nonrefundable application fee
Interview- personal interview. Spoken English skills, as well as ethical, personal, and professional qualities to fulfill the role of a speech-language pathologist will be assessed during the interview process.
Twenty-five (25) hours of observation of clinical practice by an ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist; observation hours should vary across settings, ages, and disorders. These hours are only shadowing hours prior to admission; they are not part of the 375 hours required by ASHA, which should be completed as part of our academic program.
Personal Statement/Essay - Practice as a healthcare professional requires the ability to communicate in both verbal and written form. The Speech-Language Pathology program expects admitted students to demonstrate graduate level competence in verbal and written communication. A writing sample will be required of each applicant to assess their graduate level competence for written English. Writing samples will be blinded and scored by SLP faculty as part of the admissions process.

Prerequisite Course Requirements

Biological Sciences - 3 credits (e.g.. Human Anatomy and Physiology, Introduction to Biology)
Social/Behavioral Sciences - 6 credits (e.g. courses in Psychology, Sociology, Public Health)
Physical Sciences - 3 credits (e.g. college-level Chemistry or Physics)
Statistics - 3 credits (e.g. college-level Statistics course that is computational and not remedial or historical in nature)

SLP Prerequisite Coursework

Recommended equivalent coursework includes a minimum of one course in each of the following five subjects:

Introduction to Communication Disorders
Anatomy and Physiology of Speech and Hearing Mechanisms
Phonetics
Speech and Hearing Sciences
Language Acquisition (Course work in Normal Speech and Language Development in Children)
Introduction to Audiology

If the SLP prerequisite coursework is not complete, an individual may apply for the three-year track of the SLP program.