Selective Admissions

images of students from various selective admissions programs

Though most degree and certificate programs at CT State accept all interested students, certain academic programs have more stringent admissions requirements due to the specific nature of the program or the course work involved. 

Learn How to Apply For a Selective Admissions Program

Application Instructions

Selective Admissions Programs

dental students working in mouth

Manchester Campus Program Requirements:

  • Application deadline: June 1
  • Course Requirements:
    • Eligible for English Composition
    • Eligible for Quantitative Literacy
    • Eligible for General Psychology
    • Eligible for Cell Biology with Organ Systems
    • Eligible for Public Speaking
  • Must attend a campus-specific dental assistant information session
  • Dental assistant admission requires a GPA of 2.5 or greater, based only on the college courses with grades of C or greater that meet the dental assistant admission and dental assistant program curriculum requirements. *
  • Eligible candidates will be offered an interview

Learn more about the Manchester Dental Assisting Certificate >

Tunxis Campus Program Requirements:

  • Application Deadline: June 1
  • Course Requirements:
    • Eligible for English Composition
  • Must attend a campus-specific dental assisting information session
  • Dental assisting admission requires a GPA of 2.0 or greater, based only on the college courses with grades of C or greater that meet the dental assisting admission and dental assisting program curriculum requirements.*
  • Please note: First Class begins August 1
  • Eligible candidates will be offered an interview

Learn more about the Tunxis Dental Assisting Certificate >

Program Requirements:

dental students work on teeth
  • Application deadline: February 1
  • Course Requirements:
    • Anatomy & Physiology I 
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
      • Must have on-ground lab
    • General Biology
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
      • Must have on-ground lab
    • English Composition
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Intermediate Algebra equivalent or higher
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Concepts in Chemistry equivalent or higher
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
      • Must have on-ground lab
    • Anatomy & Physiology II
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
      • Must have on-ground lab
    • Microbiology
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application 
      • Must be completed prior to start of program
      • Must have on-ground lab
    • Nutrition for Health Professionals
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Must be completed prior to start of program
    • General Psychology
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Must be completed prior to start of program
  • Completion of the Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH). Available April 1-May 31.
  • Two letters of Recommendation
  • Personal Statement
  • 4 hours shadowing a Licensed Dental Hygienist
  • Must attend Campus-specific Dental Hygiene Information Session
  • Interview
  • Dental Hygiene Admission GPA of 2.7 based on Anatomy & Physiology I, Composition and Chemistry with a grade of C or greater.

Learn more about the Dental Hygiene Degree >

sonography technician performs ultrasound

Requirements:

  • Application deadline: February 1
  • Course Requirements:
    • English Composition
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • College Algebra with Trigonometry 
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Physics for Life Sciences
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Anatomy & Physiology I
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
    • Anatomy & Physiology II
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application or can be in progress during spring semester of application year
  • Must attend Campus-specific Diagnostic Medical Sonography information session within one year of application.
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography Admission requires a GPA of 2.7 or greater based only on the college courses with grades of C or greater that meet the Diagnostic Medical Sonography admission and Diagnostic Medical Sonography program curriculum requirements.*

Learn more about the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree >

Program Requirements:

  • Application deadline: February 1
  • Course Requirements:
    • College Algebra
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
    • English Composition
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Anatomy & Physiology I
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
    • Anatomy & Physiology II
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
  • Nuclear Medicine Technology Admission requires a GPA of 2.7 or greater based only on the college courses with grades of C or greater that meet the Nuclear Medicine Technology admission and Nuclear Medicine Technology program curriculum requirements. *
  • Must attend Campus-specific Nuclear Medicine Technology information session

Learn more about Nuclear Medicine Technology Degree >

nurses discuss patient chart

Program Requirements:

Note: These program changes are for the 2024-25 application cycle.

  • Application deadline: February 1
  • Course Requirements:
    • BIO 2111: Anatomy & Physiology I
      • Final grade of C+ or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
    • CCS 1001 College and Career Success
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • ENG 1010: Composition
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • MAT 1200: Statistics I equivalent or higher
      • Final grade of C or greater
  • Nursing Admission GPA of 2.7 or greater based only on the college courses that meet the Nursing admission and Nursing program curriculum requirements. *
  • TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) total score of 58.7% or higher taken between October 1, 2020-February 1, 2024

Learn more about the Nursing Degree >

Occupational therapist helps patient walk

Program Requirements 

  • Application deadline: February 1
  • Course Requirements:
    • English Composition
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Cell Biology with Organ Systems
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application 
      • or Anatomy & Physiology I and II
        • Final grade of C or greater
        • Taken within 5 years of application
    • Eligible for Quantitative Literacy
    • General Psychology
      • Final grade of C or greater
  • Must attend campus-specific Occupational Therapy Assistant information session
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant Admission GPA of 2.5 or greater based only on the college courses with grades of C or greater that meet the Occupational Therapy Assistant admission requirements.
  • Interview

Learn more about the Occupational Therapy Assistant Degree >

physical therapist works on patient's shoulder

Program Requirements:

  • Naugatuck Valley campus: Application deadline, October 1
  • Norwalk campus: Application deadline February 1
    Deadline extended to June 1
  • Course Requirements:
    • General Biology
      • Final grade of C+ or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
    • Statistics
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
    • English Composition
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • General Psychology
      • Final grade of C or greater
  • Physical Therapist Assistant admission GPA of 2.5 or greater is required and based only on the college courses with grades of C or greater that meet the Physical Therapy Assistant admission requirements
  • TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) total score of 60% or higher taken within 3 years of application
  • Documented volunteer/observational experience totaling at least 20 hours in two different settings (inpatient and outpatient)

Learn more about the Physical Therapist Assistant Degree >

radiation therapy students look at image on screen

Program Requirements

  • Application deadline: February 1
  • Course Requirements:
    • English Composition
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Anatomy & Physiology I
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
    • Anatomy & Physiology II
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application or can be in progress during spring semester of application year
    • Precalculus
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
  • Radiation Therapy Admission requires a GPA of 2.7 or greater based only on the college courses with grades of C or greater that meet the Radiation Therapy admission requirements and Radiation Therapy program curriculum requirements. *
  • Must attend Campus-specific Radiation Therapy information session
  • Interview for eligible candidates

Learn more about the Gateway Radiation Therapy Degree >
Learn more about the Manchester Radiation Therapy Degree >

radiation therapists prep patient

Program Requirements

  • Application deadline: February 1
  • Must attend Campus-specific Radiography information session within one year of application.
  • TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) total score of 60% or higher taken within 3 years of application
  • Course Requirements:
    • English Composition
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Anatomy & Physiology I
      • Final grade of C+ or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
    • Anatomy & Physiology II
      • Final grade of C+ or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application or can be in progress during spring semester of application year
  • Radiography requires a GPA of 2.7 or greater based only on the college courses that meet the Radiography admission and Radiography program curriculum requirements (College Algebra, Arts & Humanities Elective, General Psychology, and Human Communication.)*

Learn more about the Gateway Radiography Degree >
Learn more about the Manchester Radiography Degree >
Learn more about the Middlesex Radiography Degree >
Learn more about the Naugatuck & Capital Radiography Degree >

Program Requirements:

  • Application deadline: June 1
  • Copy of current certification from ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) or NMTCB (Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board)
  • Copy of current State of Connecticut Radiographer license
  • Official College/University transcripts from all colleges ever attended (including all colleges attended in other countries), regardless of age of transcript or coursework attempted. This applies to college credits earned while in high school. If you are a CT Community College student- you do not need to submit transcripts for any prior credits earned at any CT Community College.
  • Note: Eligible applicants will be contacted if selected for an interview.

Learn more about the Radiography Certificate: Computed Tomography Option >

Program Requirements:

  • Application deadline: June 1
  • Copy of current certification from ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) or NMTCB (Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board) or ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography)
  • Copy of current State of Connecticut Radiographer license
  • Official College/University transcripts from all colleges ever attended (including all colleges attended in other countries), regardless of age of transcript or coursework attempted. This applies to college credits earned while in high school. If you are a CT Community College student- you do not need to submit transcripts for any prior credits earned at any CT Community College.
  • Note: Eligible applicants will be contacted if selected for an interview.

Learn more about Radiography Certificate: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Option >

Program Requirements:

  • Application deadline: June 1
  • Copy of current certification from ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists)
  • Copy of current State of Connecticut Radiographer license
  • Official College/University transcripts from all colleges ever attended (including all colleges attended in other countries), regardless of age of transcript or coursework attempted. This applies to college credits earned while in high school. If you are a CT Community College student- you do not need to submit transcripts for any prior credits earned at any CT Community College.
  • Note: Eligible applicants will be contacted if selected for an interview.

Learn more about the Radiography Certificate: Mammography Option >

respiratory care students practice on a dummy

Program Requirements:

  • Application deadline: February 1
    Deadline extended to June 1 
  • Must attend campus-specific Respiratory Care information session
  • Course Requirements:
    • English Composition
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Intermediate Algebra equivalent or higher
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Concepts in Chemistry equivalent or higher
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
    • Anatomy & Physiology I
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
  • TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) total score of 53.3 or higher taken within 3 years of application
  • Respiratory Care admission requires a GPA of 2.5 or greater based only on the college courses that meet the Respiratory Care admission and Respiratory Care program curriculum requirements *

Learn more about the Respiratory Care Degree >

surgical technicians working

Gateway and Housatonic Program Requirements

  • Application deadline: October 1
  • Must attend campus-specific Surgical Technology information session
  • Course Requirements:
    • English Composition
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Medical Terminology
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Quantitative Literacy or higher course
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Cell Biology with Organ Systems
      • Final grade of C+ or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application 
      • or Anatomy & Physiology I and II 
        • Final grade of C+ or greater
        • Taken within 5 years of application
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA in all Surgical Tech Admission Coursework

Learn more about the Gateway and Housatonic Surgical Technology Degree >

surgeons and technicians perform surgery on patient

Manchester/Hartford Hospital Program Requirements:

  • Application deadline: February 1
  • Course Requirements:
    • Anatomy and Physiology I
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Anatomy and Physiology II
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • May be in progress during spring semester of application year
    • Microbiology
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • May be in progress during spring semester of application year
    • College Career and Success
    • Interpersonal Communications or Public Speaking
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • English Composition
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Quantitative Literacy or higher course
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Introduction to Biology or Cell Biology with Organ Systems or any course approved as a prerequisite to Anatomy & Physiology I (General Biology or Chemistry)
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Social/Behavioral Science general education course
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Arts and Humanities general education course
      • Final grade of C or greater
  • Must attend campus-specific Surgical Technology information session.
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA in all Surgical Tech admission coursework
  • If student is eligible based on the above criteria: Completion of the Surgical Technology entrance literacy exam with a minimum score of 70%
  • If student scores a 70 or higher on the exam: Attend an in-person interview with an oral and written component (see interview sheet/interview rubric)
  • May be in progress during spring semester of application year

Learn more about the Manchester/Hartford Hospital Surgical Technology Degree >

Program Requirements:

vet techs and veterinarian check dog
  • Application deadline: February 1
    Application deadline extended to June 1. Application decisions will be made in June.
  • Course Requirements:
    • English Composition
      • Final grade of C or greater
    • Intermediate Algebra equivalent or higher
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • SAT score of 570 or greater OR an ACT of 22 or greater will meet this requirement
    • General Biology 
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
    • Concepts in Chemistry
      • Final grade of C or greater
      • Taken within 5 years of application
  • Academic Recommendation
  • Professional Recommendation
  • Personal Statement
  • GPA of 2.7 or higher (based on science and math coursework only)

Learn more about the Middlesex Veterinary Technology Degree >
Learn more about the Northwestern Veterinary Technology Degree >
Learn more about the Norwalk Veterinary Technology Degree >

Notes About Selective Admissions Programs:

  • Applicants applying to CT State Community College who meet the admission requirements may apply to multiple selective admissions programs (e.g., nursing, radiography, and veterinary technology). However, only one campus location may be chosen per selective admission program.
  • Attendance at a program information session before the program application deadline is required by several selective admissions programs. Be aware of the requirements for your program.
  • Students who are not accepted into a specific health career program may re-apply the following year. If a student is not accepted, their subsequent application is not affected – every application is reviewed on its own merits. For students who wish to reapply, it is necessary to complete, and submit another set of the required application materials.

For specific admission information to any of these programs, please click on the program link above. Please note that the application instructions for each program may vary.