NSCC’s Physical Therapist Assistant program is CLOSED for Fall 2026.
Fall 2027 Physical Therapist Assistant Admissions
Priority Deadline: February 12, 2027
Application Inquiries: SelectiveAdmissions@northshore.edu
Checklist: Download the Application Checklist
Attend a Mandatory Information Session
Attendance at a Physical Therapist Assistant Information Session (between September 2026 - May 2027) is required before applying to the Physical Therapist 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.
Monday, September 28, 2026 (do not need to RSVP)
4:00 - 5:00pm
Danvers Campus, Health Professions and Student Services building, 2nd floor, room
226
Monday, October 26, 2026 (do not need to RSVP)
4:00 - 5:00pm
Danvers Campus, Health Professions and Student Services building, 2nd floor, room
226
Monday, November 23, 2026 (do not need to RSVP)
4:00 - 5:00pm
Danvers Campus, Health Professions and Student Services building, 2nd floor, room
226
Thursday, December 10, 2026 (do not need to RSVP)
4:00 - 5:00pm
Zoom link for the December 10 session password: 640775
Take the ATI TEAS Exam
Exam Requirements:
- Preferred that TEAS are taken at NSCC (online TEAS exams not accepted at this time)
- Exams taken in testing locations other than NSCC must adhere to the 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 three 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
- If you hold a Bachelor's degree from an institution recognized by the US Department of Higher Education, the TEAS requirement is 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.
Required Documents
- Completed application
- PTA 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 word-processed essay written in the English language must be uploaded for the year in which you are applying. Essay should be approximately 1-2 pages and must answer both questions.
1. Please state why you would like to pursue a Physical Therapist Assistant career and describe qualities that you possess that would make you a good candidate for our program.
2. Identify strategies that you will use to ensure success in the program.
Submit all previous College/University 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
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 Requirements
Transfer students from an accredited Physical Therapist Assistant program must submit the following:
-
- Official transcript verifying enrollment in Physical Therapy courses within the last two years.
- Course syllabi from all previously completed Physical Therapy courses.
- A grade of "B" or better in a comparable PTA/ PT course is required for transfer credit. Transfer credits are not guaranteed and will be evaluated upon acceptance into the program.
- 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. PTA courses may not align with the NSCC curriculum and
may not transfer.
Applicants must review all Physical Therapist Assistant 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.
Submit a Resume
Provide a detailed resume including the following:
- Professional experience
- Volunteer experience
- Education
- Professional organizations that you are a member of
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 calendar years:
-
- High School Biology (grade "C" or higher)
- CLEP test (score 50 or higher)
- AP Biology Test (score 3 or higher)
-
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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.
Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
The PTA program at North Shore Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 3030 Potomac Avenue Suite 100, Alexandria, Virginia 22305-3085; telephone: 703-706-3245; email accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org. If needing to contact the program/institution directly please email or call Diane Caruso at dcaruso@northshore.edu or 978-762-4165.
PTA Complaint Policy
Complaints which fall outside of due process will be handled on an individual or case by case basis. Upon receiving an informal or written complaint, the Program Director/ Department Chair will assimilate the information presented and respond accordingly depending upon the nature of the complaint. With respect to employers of graduates and/or the general public, the Program Director/ Department Chair may seek consultation from the program’s Advisory Board and/ or the Dean of Health Professions and/or the Vice President for Academic Affairs. All complaint records including plan for improvement and outcomes will be maintained and held in a locked file cabinet located in the office of the Program Director/ Department Chair.
You may also contact the Accreditation Department at accreditation@apta.org or by calling 703-706-3245.