NSCC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program is CLOSED for Fall 2026.
Fall 2027 Occupational Therapy Assistant Admissions
Priority Deadline: March 12, 2027
Application Inquiries: SelectiveAdmissions@northshore.edu
Checklist: Download the Application checklist
Attend a Mandatory Information Session
Attendance at an Occupational Therapy Assistant Information Session (between August 2026 - May 2027) is required before applying to the Occupational Therapy Assistant program to learn about admission requirements, curriculum, clinical experiences, and the application process.
Location: Virtual (Zoom) or In-Person (Danvers Campus). Check each date for the specific location.
Duration: Approximately 1 hour.
Attendance: Sessions begin promptly at the scheduled time. Late arrivals (5+ minutes) will not
be admitted and must attend a future session. Attendance will be recorded.
Fall 2027 OTA Applicants Information Sessions
NSCC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program is CLOSED for Fall 2026. The information sessions listed below are for Fall 2027 applicants.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
1:00 - 2:00pm
Register for the September 15 session - once registered, Zoom link will be sent
Friday, October 9, 2026
11:00 - 12:00pm
Register for the October 9 session - once registered, Zoom link will be sent
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 (do not need to RSVP)
1:00 - 2:00pm
Danvers Campus, Health Professions and Student Services building, 3rd floor, room
306
Thursday, December 3, 2026
10:00 - 11:00am
Register for the December 3 session - once registered, Zoom link will be sent
Take the ATI TEAS Exam
Exam Requirements
- Preferred that TEAS are taken at NSCC (online TEAS exams not accepted at this time)
- Exams taken at locations other than NSCC must adhere to proctoring requirements with a secured browser.
- ATI TEAS Version 7 required.
- Max 3 attempts per academic year (Sept 1 - Aug 31) regardless of the testing site and program to which they are applying.
- Tests from other locations require an official transcript from ATI (Order Here)
- Students whose score reports reflect that they have tested more than two times require an official transcript from ATI (Order Here)
- NSCC reserves the right to verify all TEAS score reports.
Required TEAS sections
- Reading (69% or higher)
- Math (any score)
- Science (50% or higher)
- English (any score)
TEAS Exam Exemption
- Applicants who have earned a Bachelor's degree from an academic institution accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and have completed both Anatomy & Physiology I and II with a "C" grade or better will have the TEAS requirement waived.
For information or concerns about the ATI TEAS Exam, please contact TEAS@northshore.edu.
Complete the Application
Submit the Selective Admissions Application regardless of whether you are a new or current student.
You must indicate if you are applying for the traditional option of study or the accelerated option of study.
Required Documents
- Completed application
- OTA Information Session
- Essay
- TEAS scores
- Other supporting materials (see below)
Write & Submit Your Essay
(Essays submitted with this application must be your own original work. More details can be found in the online application.)
A one page word-processed essay written in the English language must be submitted for the year in which you are applying. Grammar and spelling are considered in addition to content and quality of your essay.
1. Please state why you would like to pursue an Occupational Therapy Assistant career and what qualities make you a good candidate for our program.
Submit all previous College/University Transcripts
All official transcripts from previous colleges/universities MUST be submitted directly to NSCC and uploaded by Admissions staff. If you have previously submitted transcripts and have since completed courses or are currently registered for courses, then you need to submit an updated transcript.
How to Submit
May be sent from your College(s) to NSCC:
1. Email: SelectiveAdmissions@northshore.edu
2. Mail:
NSCC Admissions Office
1 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA 01923
Transfer Students
Transfer students from an accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant program must submit the following:
-
- Official transcript verifying enrollment in Occupational Therapy courses within the last three years.
- Course syllabi from all previously completed Occupational Therapy courses.
- Transcripts must be sent electronically or official copies must be mailed.
Additional documents can be emailed to: SelectiveAdmissions@northshore.edu.
Note: An informational meeting with the Department Chairperson is required as part of the transfer evaluation process.
Applicants must review all Occupational Therapy program policies.
Demonstrate Proficiency
Upload documentation to your application. Communications & Mathematics Proficiency can be demonstrated in multiple ways:
- SAT scores
- Accuplacer tests
- High school GPA
- College coursework
More on Communications Proficiency
More on Math Proficiency
Submit High School Transcript or GED
Upload your high school transcript or GED score report.
If you submitted this within the last 5 years, confirm with SelectiveAdmissions@northshore.edu.
Biology Requirement
Applicants must meet ONE of the following:
- BIO211 (grade "C" or higher)
- BIO101 or BIO105 (grade "C" or higher, no time limit)
- TEAS - Science Section (50% or higher, no time limit)
- LPN Certificate (no time limit)
- Bachelor of Science in Biological Science (no time limit)
- One of the following within the last 5 calendar years:
-
- High School Biology (C or higher)
- CLEP test (score 50 or higher)
- AP Biology Test (score 3 or higher)
-
Accelerated Option of Study Requirements
If you are applying for the OTA Accelerated Option of Study, you must complete all six pre-admission courses by July 1, 2027:
-
- Composition 1 (CMP101)
- Composition 2 Elective (CMP102 – CMP150)
- General Psychology (PSY102)
- Human Growth and Development (PSY204)
- Anatomy & Physiology 1 (BIO211)
- Anatomy & Physiology 2 (BIO212)
Submission Requirement
You must indicate on the online Admissions application: when and where each course was successfully completed or when you intend to take and complete the requested course(s).
-
- When and where each course was successfully completed, or
- when you intend to take and complete the required course(s).
This ensures verification of your eligibility for the accelerated program.
Note: If the Accelerated OTA Program applicant pool is not filled by April 1st, all applicants will automatically be considered for the Traditional OTA Program.
Program Questions
Shauna Manthorn
Department Chair, OTA Program
Phone: 978-762-4168
Email: smanthor@northshore.edu
Contact Admissions
General Assistance
Visit CentroHub, NSCC’s virtual concierge.
Accreditation
Expand AllCollapse AllAccreditation
North Shore Community College is an accredited public institute of higher education where all are welcome and each is challenged. NSCC is accredited by NECHE, the New England Commission of Higher Education.
North Shore Community College's associate-degree-level Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
c/o American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510E
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-652-2682
Website: www.acoteonline.org
ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs satisfy the states’ educational requirements in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Students graduating from an ACOTE® accredited occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational program are eligible to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification exam and apply for licensure in all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information regarding state qualifications and licensure requirements, please refer to the AOTA State Licensure webpage.