NSCC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program is CLOSED for Fall 2025.
Fall 2025 Occupational Therapy Assistant Admissions
Application Inquiries: SelectiveAdmissions@northshore.edu
Checklist: Download the Application checklist
Step 1: Attend a Mandatory Information Session
Before applying, all students must attend an Occupational Therapy Assistant Information Session (between August 2024 - June 2025) to learn about admission requirements, curriculum, clinical experiences, and the application process.
Location: Virtual (Zoom) & In-Person (Danvers Campus).
Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours.
Attendance: Arrive on time! Late arrivals (5+ minutes) will not be admitted and must attend a
future session. Attendance will be recorded.
Step 2: Take the ATI TEAS Exam
Exam Requirements
- Preferred that TEAS are taken at NSCC (online TEAS exams not accepted)
- Exams taken in testing locations other than NSCC must adhere to the proctoring requirements with a secured browser.
- ATI TEAS Current Version required
- Max 3 attempts per academic year (Sept 1 - Aug 31)
- Tests from other locations require an official transcript from ATI (Order Here)
TEAS
Required sections:
- Reading (69% or higher)
- Math (any score)
- Science (any score)
- English (any score)
TEAS Exam Exemption
If you hold a Bachelor's degree from an academic instiution accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and completed both Anatomy & Physiology I and II with a C grade or better, the TEAS requirement is waived.
For information or concerns about the ATI TEAS Exam, please contact TEAS@northshore.edu.
Step 3: Complete the Application
Submit the Selective Admissions Application for the year you are applying (previous applications do not count).
Required Documents
- Completed application
- Essay (see Step 4)
- TEAS scores
- Other supporting materials (see below)
NSCC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant program is CLOSED for Fall 2025
Step 4: Write & Submit Your Essay
Upload your word-processed essay, written in the English language, with your application. The essay should be typed, only 1 page in length and must answer all questions.
Prompt: Why do you want to pursue an Occupational Therapy career?
- What qualities make you a strong candidate for the program?
Step 5: Submit Transcripts
All official transcripts from previous colleges/universities must be sent directly to NSCC. If you’ve already submitted transcripts, you must send updated ones if you’ve completed additional coursework.
How to Submit
- Email: SelectiveAdmissions@northshore.edu
- Mail:
NSCC Admissions Office
1 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, MA 01923
Transfer Students
Transfer students from an accredited Occupational Therapy 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.
Additional documents can be emailed to: SelectiveAdmissions@northshore.edu.
Note: An informational meeting with the Department Chairperson may be required as part of the transfer evaluation process.
Step 6: 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
Step 7: 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.
Additional Requirements
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)
- Within the last 5 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 the end of Summer Session 1:
-
- 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 upload a document listing:
-
- Each required course you have completed, including the completion date and academic institution.
- Any remaining course(s) you plan to take, along with the planned completion date and institution.
This ensures verification of your eligibility for the accelerated program.
Program Questions
smanthor@northshore.edu
978-762-4168
Contact Admissions
General Assistance
Visit CentroHub, NSCC’s virtual concierge.
Accreditation
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.
Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)
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.