Important Information for Students Applying to Our Health Science Programs

The Health Sciences Division at Southern Maine Community College offers health education programs that generate a great deal of interest. Because of this, you may be accepted into a program for a future semester. Many of the programs require the completion of courses (prerequisites) as part of the acceptance process – every Health Science program is listed below and outlines the expectations for admissions. Our goal at SMCC is to work with you and provide access to the education you desire as quickly as possible. Please review the information below to assist you through the application and enrollment process.

On this page:

Health Science Admissions Process

To be accepted into a Health Science program at SMCC you need to:

  • Be a high school, GED or Adult Diploma graduate prior to taking courses.
  • Apply to your program of interest. To apply now, visit our Apply webpage.
  • Take the Accuplacer exam in reading, writing, arithmetic and algebra unless otherwise exempt. (To see if you are exempt from the Accuplacer, visit our Apply webpage.)
  • Be accepted to the College in either a Health Science/Pre-program (i.e. Health Science/Pre-Nursing) or directly into your program of study.
  • Attend a mandatory information session – if required by your program(s) of interest.
    • This will ensure the program you apply to is the right choice for you.
    • Dates and times are listed below for individual programs.
  • Complete the prerequisite courses specific to your preferred program (if required).
    • Students applying to the following programs have additional course requirements for acceptance (see additional program requirements below).
      • Cardiovascular Technology
      • Nursing
      • Emergency Medical Services/Paramedicine
      • Radiography
      • Respiratory Therapy
  • As you complete each of the requirements and prerequisites, you will need to submit proof of completion to the Admissions Office.
  • When all prerequisites and requirements for admission are complete, you will be notified that you have been accepted into your program of choice and receive your start date.
  • Please note: Because of the high level of interest in the Health Science programs, your start date may be one or more semesters in the future.
  • Please note: While you are waiting to enter your formal program we encourage you to enroll and take any non-major courses that may go towards your degree.

Once Accepted

Students accepted into Health Science programs are required to complete a criminal background screening and track immunizations annually – completion of this requirement should take place two months before taking any clinical course. Please see your acceptance letter for details or reach out to your advisor with any questions. Students accepted to Cardiovascular Technology, Nursing, Paramedicine, Radiography and Respiratory Therapy will receive additional information, via email, about immunizations and background check requirements prior to registering for their first semester clinicals.

Accepted Cardiovascular Technology Students are required to complete a criminal background screening and track immunizations annually – completion of this requirement should take place two months before taking any clinical course. Contact your advisor if you have questions about Castlebranch requirements. Students who are within two months of their first clinical course should complete their criminal background screening and their immunization tracking requirements by visiting the Castlebranch webpage.

Cardiovascular Technology Details & Requirements

We are currently accepting qualified applicants for Fall 2025.

Cardiovascular Technology Prerequisites

  • Attend a Virtual Information Session
    The Information Session is a required prerequisite for acceptance. We highly recommend that you attend an Information Session early in the process to ensure this program is the right fit for you. If you are a high school student we encourage you to bring a parent or guardian with you.
  • C (not C-) or better in:
    • Anatomy & Physiology I w/lab
    • Anatomy & Physiology II w/lab
    • Technical Physics
    • English Composition
    • Technical Math*

*Please note, in lieu of Technical Math, a student can take College Algebra AND Statistics

Emergency Medical Services/Paramedicine Details & Requirements

We are currently accepting qualified applicants for Fall 2024.

Emergency Medical Services/Paramedicine Prerequisites

  • Attend a Virtual Information Session
    The Information Session is a required prerequisite for acceptance. We highly recommend that you attend an Information Session early in the process to ensure this program is the right fit for you. If you are a high school student we encourage you to bring a parent or guardian with you.
  • State EMT license
  • Anatomy & Physiology I w/lab with a grade of C or higher
  • Quantitative Reasoning (or higher) with a grade of C or higher
  • English Composition with a grade of C or higher


Health Sciences Details & Requirements

We are currently accepting qualified applicants for Spring 2024. This program has no additional requirements.

Medical Assisting Details & Requirements

We are currently accepting qualified applicants for Spring 2024. This program has no additional requirements.

Nutrition and Dietetics Details & Requirements

We are currently accepting qualified applicants for Spring 2024. This program has no additional requirements.

Nursing & LPN Details & Requirements

We are currently accepting qualified applicants for Fall 2024.

Nursing & LPN Prerequisites

  • Attend a Nursing Information Session
    The Information Session is required for acceptance. During this session you will get a detailed overview of our program, have time to ask questions, and ensure this program is the right fit for you. If you are a high school student we encourage you to bring a parent or guardian with you. 
  • A high school diploma or GED/HiSET/High School Equivalency Diploma
  • A B- (2.75) or better in:
  • Anatomy & Physiology I with lab
  • English Composition
  • Dosage Calculations
  • Meet the following score requirements on the ATI TEAS (Assessment Technology Institute Test of Essential Academic Skills):
    • Total Score – 66.1% or higher
    • Reading – 72.3% or higher
    • Math – 68.8% or higher
    • Science – 57.4% or higher
    • English – 66.7% or higher

About the ATI TEAS

The ATI TEAS is a national standardized test that provides assessment data regarding a student’s overall academic preparedness for Nursing- or Radiography-related content. The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) was developed by the Assessment Technology Institute (ATI) and is a computerized test composed of multiple-choice questions organized into four sections, which measure reading ability, basic mathematics skills, science and English grammar. For more information, visit the ATI TEAS website.

  • How do I register for the ATI TEAS? To sign up for the test, visit the ATI website.
  • Where can I take the ATI TEAS? SMCC offers the ATI TEAS in a virtual format utilizing a 3rd party proctoring software (Proctorio).
ATI TEAS Technical Requirements through Proctorio:
  • Laptop or desktop computer (a Chromebook will work as long as you have Proctorio extension added).
  • Proctorio works with Chrome only, if you do not have Google Chrome browser installed, please install it now.
  • Webcam (either external or internal),
  • School or government-issued ID,
  • Audio capability and a stable internet connection (You can go to speedtest.net to see if you have a stable connection.)
  • Be in a quiet area with minimal to no distractions as Proctorio records and alerts the proctor if there is talking in the background or if you are looking in another direction while taking the Exam.
  • What is the cost of the ATI TEAS? A fee of $92 will be collected at the point of registration and will be paid directly to ATI.
  • Can I take the ATI TEAS more than once? The ATI TEAS may be taken a total of 3 times. SMCC requires a 30-day wait between tests.
  • How can I prepare for the ATI TEAS? There is a pre-test study manual which you may purchase to assist you in preparing for this test. The study manual provides sample questions and general information in the areas of Reading, Math, Science and English. You may purchase this manual at the SMCC bookstore or online by visiting the ATI website.  You may also purchase and take an Online TEAS Practice Assessment by visiting the ATI website.
  • What do I need to have with me the day of the test?
    • A photo ID
    • Your ATI confirmation email
    • Your ATI username and password
  • Please note: Please log in about 30 minutes early to start the check in process. If you log in late, you will be unable to sit for the exam. This should also ensure that any technical issues are resolved in time to begin.
  • Disability Accommodations – Students requiring disability accommodations for the ATI TEAS must register with the SMCC Disability Services Office. Call 207-741-5923 for more information and to schedule an appointment.

If you are:

An LPN Upgrade student, you need to meet all of the requirements above as well as provide a copy of your license and transcripts from your LPN program. From here, you will be approved to register for transition to the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Role (NURS 111) with permission from the Nursing Department Chair. Upon successful completion of all the requirements, LPN Upgrade students are accepted into the Nursing program and begin in Nursing II (NURS 175).

Radiography Details & Requirements

We are currently accepting qualified applicants for Fall 2024.

Radiography Prerequisites

  • Attend a Virtual Information Session
    The Information Session is a required prerequisite for acceptance. We highly recommend that you attend an Information Session early in the process to ensure this program is the right fit for you. If you are a high school student we encourage you to bring a parent or guardian with you.
  • College-level Math and English
  • Anatomy and Physiology I with lab (with a grade of B- or higher)
  • The following Radiography entrance test scores for the Assessment Technology Institute Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) for the Nurse (RN) Program:
    • Math – 68.8% or higher
    • Reading – 72.3% or higher
    • English – 66.7% or higher
    • Science – 57.4% or higher
    • Total Score – 66.1% or higher

Download a letter from the department chair of Radiography that discusses additional information about applying to the radiography program.

About the Assessment for Technology Institute Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS)

The ATI TEAS is a national standardized test that provides assessment data regarding a student’s overall academic preparedness for Nursing- or Radiography-related content. The TEAS was developed by the Assessment Technology Institute (ATI) and is a computerized test composed of multiple-choice questions organized into four sections, which measure reading ability, basic mathematics skills, science and English grammar. For more information, visit the ATI TEAS website.

  • How do I register for the ATI TEAS? To sign up for the test, visit the ATI website.
  • Where can I take the ATI TEAS? SMCC offers the ATI TEAS in a virtual format utilizing a 3rd party proctoring software (Proctorio).

ATI TEAS Technical Requirements through Proctorio:

  • Laptop or desktop computer (a Chromebook will work as long as you have Proctorio extension added).
  • Proctorio works with Chrome only, if you do not have Google Chrome browser installed, please install it now.
  • Webcam (either external or internal),
  • School or government-issued ID,
  • Audio capability and a stable internet connection (you can go to speedtest.net to see if you have a stable connection).
  • Be in a quiet area with minimal to no distractions as Proctorio records and alerts the proctor if there is talking in the background or if you are looking in another direction while taking the Exam.
  • What is the cost of the ATI TEAS? A fee of $92 will be collected at the point of registration and will be paid directly to ATI.
  • Can I take the ATI TEAS more than once? The ATI TEAS may be taken a total of 3 times. SMCC requires a 30-day wait between tests.
  • How can I prepare for the ATI TEAS? There is a pre-test study manual which you may purchase to assist you in preparing for this test. The study manual provides sample questions and general information in the areas of Reading, Math, Science and English. You may purchase this manual at the SMCC bookstore or online by visiting the ATI website. The ISBN # is 978-1-56533-199-0. You may also purchase and take an Online TEAS Practice Assessment by visiting the ATI website.
  • What do I need to have with me the day of the test?
    • A photo ID
    • Your ATI confirmation email
    • Your ATI username and password
  • Please note: Please log in about 30 minutes early to start the check in process. If you log in late, you will be unable to sit for the exam. This should also ensure that any technical issues are resolved in time to begin.
  • Disability Accommodations – Students requiring disability accommodations for the ATI TEAS must register with the SMCC Disability Services Office. Call 207-741-5923 for more information and to schedule an appointment.

Respiratory Therapy Details & Requirements

We are currently accepting qualified applicants for Fall 2024.

Respiratory Therapy Prerequisites

  • Attend an Information Session
    The Information Session is a required prerequisite for acceptance. We highly recommend that you attend an Information Session early in the process to ensure this program is the right fit for you. If you are a high school student we encourage you to bring a parent or guardian with you.
  • Anatomy & Physiology I with lab with a grade of C or higher
  • College Algebra or higher with a grade of C or higher

Surgical Technology Details & Requirements

Surgical Technology Prerequisites

  • Attend a Surgical Technology Information Session
    The Information Session is a required prerequisite for acceptance. We highly recommend that you attend an Information Session early in the process to ensure this program is the right fit for you. If you are a high school student we encourage you to bring a parent or guardian with you.
  • A high school diploma or GED/HiSET/High School Equivalency Diploma
  • Successful completion of all general education courses:
    • English Composition
    • Introduction to Literature
    • Math Elective (3cr)
    • Two Social Science Electives (6cr)
    • Biology with Lab for Non-Majors OR Biology I with Lab
    • Fine Arts/Humanities Elective (3cr)
  • Note on Prerequisite Courses: SMCC requires 15 credits of curriculum-specific coursework be taken at SMCC in order to award a degree. Transfer credits do not count toward this 15-credit minimum