Health Sciences Admission Requirements
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CONTACT DETAILS
Admissions Office
Fall River
Admissions@BristolCC.edu
774.357.2947
777 Elsbree Street
Fall River, MA 02720
New Bedford Campus
NewBedford@BristolCC.edu
774.357.4000
800 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Attleboro Campus
Attleboro@BristolCC.edu
774.357.3527
11 Field Road
Attleboro, MA 02703
UPCOMING EVENTS
Bristol Community College offers a variety of Health Science programs. The following programs within Bristol's Division of Health Sciences are competitive and have additional admissions requirements that students need to complete before applying to be eligible to review for admission. The requirements are explained in detail at one of the program-specific information sessions.
Dental Hygiene Associate Degree
Starting Term: Fall 2026.
Application Open: August 27, 2025.
Deadline to Apply: February 6, 2026.
View the academic catalog for the Dental Hygiene program of study.
- All requirements must be completed before the application deadline.
- Attend a mandatory Dental Hygiene Information Session between August 27, 2025 - February 6, 2026. If you attended an information session prior to August 27, 2025 you will need to attend another one.
- Submit an official final high school transcript with graduation date or equivalent (official HiSet/GED score report, foreign credential evaluation).
- All courses must be completed with a grade of B- or higher.
- Applicants must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher listed in the pre-admission courses.
- Students must complete all math adn science courses within 5 years of the application
deadline, view the Math & Science Reference Grid.
- High School or College Algebra I, equivalent or higher.
- A 4-credit college chemistry with lab.
- College Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 233) or equivalent.
- College Composition I: Writing (ENG 101) or higher-level English course.
- If only the minimum of a "B-" is earned in the pre-admission courses, this does not equate to the 3.0 pre-admission GPA that is required.
- Achieve a total composite score of 50% or higher on the ATI TEAS Exam.
- For more detailed TEAS information, visit the Testing Center.
- If accepted, students must comply with Bristol Community College's immunization requirements.
Medical Assistant Certificate
Starting Term: Fall 2026.
Application Open: August 27, 2025.
Rolling Admissions: Applications will be accepted based on seat availability until July 1, 2026 or the program is full.
View the academic catalog for the Medical Assistant program of study.
- All requirements must be completed before the application deadline.
- Attend a mandatory Medical Assistant Information Session.
- Submit an official final high school transcript with graduation date or equivalent (official HiSet/GED score report, foreign credential evaluation).
- All courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
- Biology with Lab (high school or college level).
- Algebra I, Introductory Algebra Competency, or higher-level math (high school or college level).
- Completed 6 credits of college coursework with grades of C or higher.
- If accepted, students must comply with Bristol Community College's immunization requirements.
Medical Laboratory Technology Associate Degree
Starting Term: Fall 2026.
Application Open: August 27, 2025.
Priority Deadline to Apply: February 6, 2026.
Final Deadline to Apply: July 1, 2026 (if space is available).
View the academic catalog for the Medical Laboratory Technology program of study.
- All requirements must be completed before the application deadline.
- Attend a mandatory Medical Laboratory Technology Information Session.
- Submit an official final high school transcript with graduation date or equivalent (official HiSet/GED score report, foreign credential evaluation).
- All courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
- High school Algebra I, equivalent or higher math course.
- Chemistry with Lab (high school or college)
- Biology with Lab (high school or college level).
- All pre-admission biology and chemistry courses must be competed within 7 years of the priority application deadline, view the Math & Science Reference Grid.
- Applicants must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or higher in the above pre-admission courses.
- Applicants having earned a state-approved high school equivalency credential may alternatively meet these pre-admission criteria by earning a minimum GPA of 2.7 in the above pre-admission courses.
- If accepted, students must comply with Bristol Community College's immunization requirements.
Nursing Associate Degree
Options: Both options include clinical assignments at a variety of healthcare settings in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Clinical hours may include days, evenings and/or weekends.
- Traditional – in-person classroom learning.
- Hybrid – a combination of online classroom learning and in-person learning.
Starting Term: Fall 2026.
Application Open: August 27, 2025.
Final Deadline to Apply: February 6, 2026.
View the academic catalog for the Nursing program of study.
- All requirements must be completed before the application deadline.
- Attend a mandatory Nursing Information Session between August 27, 2025 and February 6, 2026. If you attended an information session prior to August 27, 2025 you will need to attend another one.
- Submit an official final high school transcript with graduation date or equivalent (official HiSet/GED score report, foreign credential evaluation).
- All courses must be completed with a grade of B- or higher.
- Students must complete all math and science courses within 5 years of the application deadline, view the Math & Science Reference Grid.
- High school Algebra I, equivalent or higher math course.
- High school Chemistry with laboratory compoennt, equivalent or higher chemistry course.
- Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO 233) or equivalent.
- Students may retake BIO 233 only once within a 5-year period.
- Composition I: College Writing (ENG 101) OR Composition II: Writing About Literature (ENG 102)
- General Psychology (PSY 101), equivalent or higher psychology course.
- College Success Seminar (CSS 101) OR
- You have attended Bristol Community College and have 30 or more credits with a 2.5 GPA or higher.
- You have attended another college/university and completed 30 or more transfer credits.
- You have a combination of 30 or more Bristol Community College credits and transfer credits.
- You have earned an associate degree or higher.
- Achieve a total composite score of 70% or higher on the ATI TEAS Exam.
- For more detailed TEAS information, visit the Testing Center.
- If accepted, students must comply with Bristol Community College's immunization requirements.
LPN to RN Bridge Applicants
Starting Term: Fall 2026.
Application Open: August 27, 2025.
Final Deadline to Apply: April 1, 2026.
- Applicants must provide proof of graduation from one of the LPN programs which have
an articulation agreement with Bristol Community College within 3 years of application to Bristol's Nursing program. These include:
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Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School.
-
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School.
-
Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School.
-
Southeastern Technical Institute.
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Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School.
-
- Applicants must successfully complete a credit for prior learning (CPL) assessment
for NUR 101: Fundamentals of Nursing and NUR 102: Parent-Child Health Nursing.
- Students are also required to successfully complete the CPL co-requisites before enrolling
in their first full-time nursing course, NUR 201: Care of the Adult I:
-
Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIO 234) or equivalent.
-
Child Development (PSY 252) or equivalent.
-
- Students are also required to successfully complete the CPL co-requisites before enrolling
in their first full-time nursing course, NUR 201: Care of the Adult I:
- Upon successful completion of the CPL (approximately 6 weeks), the applicant is awarded 16 credits for prior learning for NUR 101: Fundamentals of Nursing and NUR 102: Parent-Child Health Nursing, and is eligible to enroll in the third semester of the nursing program courses, NUR 201: Nursing Care of the Adult I and NUR 100: Introduction to Professional Nursing.
- If accepted, students must comply with Bristol Community College's immunization requirements.
LPN to RN Challenge Applicants
Starting Term: January 2026.
Application Open: August 27, 2025.
Final Deadline to Apply: November 15, 2025.
- Applicants must be current Licensed Practical Nurses/Licensed Vocational Nurses in good standing who graduated from an accredited LPN program more than three years ago.
- Applicants must successfully complete a credit for prior learning (CPL) assessment
for NUR 101: Fundamentals of Nursing.
- Offered during Wintersession only.
- Upon successful completion of the CPL assessment, students are eligible to enroll in the second semester of the nursing program courses NUR 100: Introduction to Nursing and NUR 102: Parent-Child Health Nursing.
- If accepted, students must comply with Bristol Community College's immunization requirements.
Nursing Associate Degree Full-Time Evening/Weekend Program
Hybrid – a combination of online classroom learning and in-person assessments held during evening hours.
Laboratory and Clinical components will take place exclusively during evenings and weekends to accommodate working students.
Starting Term: January 2027.
Application Open: June 2026 (subject to change).
Final Deadline to Apply: October 2, 2026.
View the academic catalog for the Nursing program of study.
- All requirements must be completed before the application deadline.
- Attend a mandatory Nursing Information Session between August 27, 2025 and October 2, 2026. If you attended an information session prior to August 27, 2025 you will need to attend another one.
- Submit an official final high school transcript with graduation date or equivalent (official HiSet/GED score report, foreign credential evaluation).
- All courses must be completed with a grade of B- or higher.
- Applicants must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher in the listed pre-admission courses.
- Students must complete all math and science courses within 5 years of the application
deadline, view the Math & Science Reference Grid.
- High school Algebra I, equivalent or higher math course.
- High school Chemistry with laboratory compoennt, equivalent or higher chemistry course.
- Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO 233) or equivalent.
- Students may retake BIO 233 only once within a 5-year period.
- Composition I: College Writing (ENG 101) OR Composition II: Writing About Literature (ENG 102)
- General Psychology (PSY 101), equivalent or higher psychology course.
- College Success Seminar (CSS 101) OR
- You have attended Bristol Community College and have 30 or more credits with a 2.5 GPA or higher.
- You have attended another college/university and completed 30 or more transfer credits.
- You have a combination of 30 or more Bristol Community College credits and transfer credits.
- You have earned an associate degree or higher.
- Achieve a total composite score of 70% or higher on the ATI TEAS Exam.
- For more detailed TEAS information, visit the Testing Center.
- If accepted, students must comply with Bristol Community College's immunization requirements.
Phlebotomy Certificate
Starting Term: Spring 2026, Summer 2026, or Fall 2026.
Options:
- Traditional – two semester hybrid (Fall & Spring semesters) offered in Fall River.
- Hybrid: Offered in Taunton (Summer semester) and New Bedford (Fall semester).
Application Open: August 27, 2025.
Rolling Admissions: Applications will be accepted based on seat availability or until:
- Spring 2026: November 15, 2025 or the program is full.
- Summer 2026: April 1, 2026 or the program is full.
- Fall 2026: July 1, 2026 or the program is full.
View the academic catalog for the Phlebotomy Certificate program of study.
- All requirements must be completed to be reviewed for admission.
- Attend a mandatory Phlebotomy Information Session.
- Submit an official final high school transcript with graduation date or equivalent (official HiSet/GED score report, foreign credential evaluation).
- All courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
- Chemistry or biology (high school or college level).
- Math (high school or college level).
- If accepted, students must comply with Bristol Community College's immunization requirements.
To Consider...
Test of Essential Academic Skills® (TEAS®)
The TEAS® test is a computerized scholastic aptitude test required for admission to specific Health Science programs including Nursing and Dental Hygiene.
Please see the description of your intended program of study in the current academic catalog for more information about the TEAS® test requirements.
For more information on the Test of Essential Academic Skills® (TEAS®) please visit the TEAS testing center page.
Using AP® and/or CLEP® Test Scores to Fulfill Pre-Admission Criteria
AP® Scores | Applicants to Bristol's competitive allied health programs who are seeking to use AP® Test results to fulfill pre-admission criteria must have earned a score of 3 or higher. The Admissions Office utilizes the College Board's® AP Exam Score and College Course Grade Equivalent chart when reviewing applications. Students seeking to utilize AP® Test scores to fulfill pre-admission criteria should confirm that the AP® Test is also eligible for transfer into Bristol.
CLEP® Scores | Applicants to Bristol's competitive allied health programs who are seeking to use CLEP® Test results to fulfill pre-admission criteria in which a grade of B- or better is required, should be aware that the Admissions Office utilizes the College Board's® CLEP® B-level Score Recommendations guidelines when reviewing applications. While Bristol maintains a list of CLEP® Tests and scores for which transfer credit is available, a higher score is often necessary to fulfill pre-admission criteria (e.g. Bristol will accept a CLEP® score of 50 on the College Composition exam for transfer as ENG 101; however, an applicant to an allied health program in which a B- or higher grade is required in ENG 101 would need to achieve a score of 59 or higher).
Pre-Admission Courses & Timeframes
Applicants to Bristol’s competitive allied health programs must complete the mathematics and science pre-admission courses within a specific timeframe based on priority application deadline.
Applicants should use the grid below to help them navigate whether the mathematics and science courses they have completed for pre-admission purposes are eligible in the review of their application or if they should prepare to adjust their course schedule to ensure fulfilling these pre-admission requirements.