Fall 2025 Occupational Therapy Assistant Application Requirements
Application inquiries may be directed to: SelectiveAdmissions@northshore.edu
STEP 1:
Mandatory Information Session Attendance
Applicants must attend a Mandatory Information Session during the academic year prior to admission (August 2023, or after).
Attendance will be recorded.
STEP 2:
ATI TEAS Exam
The preferred site for the ATI TEAS exam is North Shore Community College. Online TEAS exams are not accepted at this time. Students must take the ATI TEAS Version 7. Students whose score reports reflect that they have tested more than two times or at another location other than NSCC must also submit an official TEAS transcript from ATI: https://atitesting.com/ati_store/ Additional charges may apply. TEAS inquires may be directed to: TEAS@northshore.edu
NSCC reserves the right to verify all TEAS score reports for exams taken in testing locations other than NSCC. Exams taken at locations other than NSCC must adhere to proctoring requirements with a secured browser.
Applicants are limited to three attempts within an academic year (September 1 - August 31), regardless of the testing site and program to which they are applying.
Each of the following sections are required to be taken: Reading; Math; Science; and English - and all scores will be included in the review process. A minimum score of 69% in Reading must be achieved in order to apply.
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 1 and 2 with a “C” grade or better will have the TEAS requirement waived.
STEP 3:
NSCC Online Application for Admission
Submit the online application for the year for which you are applying; regardless of whether you are a new or current student (a previously submitted application does not count). You must indicate if you are applying for the traditional option of study or the accelerated option of study as well as attend to the accelerated option of study requirement listed as the final step of this checklist. Once you submit your application, the remaining required documents (below) may be uploaded to your account.
Biology Requirement
Complete ONE of the following options:
- BIO211 with a grade of C or higher
- BIO101 or BIO105 with a grade of C or higher (no time limit)
- TEAS version 7 - Science section score of 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 past 5 calendar years:
- High School Biology with a C or higher
- CLEP test with a score of 50 or higher
- AP Biology Test with a 3 or higher
Essay
A word-processed essay written in the English language must be uploaded for the year in which you are applying. (Essay must be typed and only 1 page in length). Grammar and spelling are considered in addition to content and quality of your essay).
- Please state why you would like to pursue an Occupational Therapy Assistant career and what qualities make you a good candidate for our program.
Communications Proficiency
There are many ways to demonstrate this. (See link below.) If you have demonstrated proficiency with your SAT scores or Accuplacer testing from another institution, please upload that document to your application. If you have demonstrated proficiency with your high school GPA or with college level courses, this will be updated upon review of your submitted materials.
More information about Communications Proficiency
Math Proficiency
There are many ways to demonstrate this. (See link below.) If you have demonstrated proficiency with your SAT scores or Accuplacer testing from another institution, please upload that document to your application. If you have demonstrated proficiency with your high school GPA or with college level courses, this will be updated upon review of your submitted materials.
More information about Math Proficiency
High School Transcript or GED score report
Resume
Submit a resume highlighting your academic, extracurricular and work history along with any health and/or human service related experience.
Official transcripts from all Colleges/ Universities previously attended
All official college transcripts from previously attended 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. Transcripts may be sent electronically from your college(s) to NSCC at: SelectiveAdmissions@northshore.edu or mailed to: North Shore Community College, Attn: Admissions/Health Programs, 1 Ferncroft Rd., Danvers, MA 01923
Transfer students from another accredited Occupational Therapy Program must also provide:
- an official transcript proving enrollment in Occupational Therapy courses within the last 3 years.
- course syllabi from all previous Occupational Therapy courses. Additional documents can be emailed to: SelectiveAdmissions@northshore.edu
Accelerated Option
of Study
If you indicated that you wish to apply for the OTA accelerated option of study, you will need to meet all 6 pre-admission courses by the end of summer session 1 2024:
- Composition 1 [CMP101];
- Composition 2 elective [CMP102 – 150];
- General Psychology [PSY102];
- Human Growth and Development [PSY204];
- Anatomy & Physiology 1 [BIO 211];
- and Anatomy & Physiology 2 [BIO212]
You will need to upload a document indicating when each course was successfully completed or when you intend to take the required course(s) as well as the academic institution where course(s) were completed or planned to be completed.