Applying to a Health Professions Program at Bergen Community College

Admission to college programs in health professions is limited to a specific number of candidates each year because of requirements imposed by accrediting agencies and by the availability of faculty, college laboratory, and clinical agency resources. To insure that all applicants are evaluated in the same way, within each discipline, criteria for acceptance have been developed by the Division of Health Professions and Student Services.These criteria will be utilized in determining the candidates who will be offered admission.

Admission will have a step process:

  • Academic Eligibility will be determined, as well as a
  • Criminal History Background Check,
  • Basic Skills Testing, and
  • Admissions Examination for the Dental Hygiene, Paramedic Science, Nursing, Radiography, Respiratory Care, Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Veterinary Technology programs.

All eligible candidates for admission to the Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Respiratory Care, Radiography and Veterinary Technology programs are required to take HESI exam.

The TEAS exam is administered for the Nursing program.

Paramedic Science students do not take an entrance exam. Instead they have an EMT Skills audit test, where students are expected to demonstrate effective skills as an EMT in a crisis scenario.

There is a fee that is payable directly to the examination company. The examination is given off-campus at a testing center. All eligible Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Sonography, Nursing, Paramedic Science, Respiratory Care, Radiography and Veterinary Technology candidates with a clear background report will receive an invitation to take the examination. The invitation will outline all information related to the examination.

Minimum Entrance Requirements for Health Professions

Additional resources are available for Students Needing Accommodations.

If students have not taken the necessary high school prerequisites, the courses can be made up by substituting courses taken at Bergen. These courses must be taken before students apply to Nursing or any Health Professions program. To be considered for most programs, science prerequisites must have been completed within the last five years. Applicable college science courses taken more than ten years ago are not transferable.

All students applying to Health Professions programs must take the basic skills test and successfully complete all remedial coursework prior to application. High school students applying to Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nursing, Paramedic Science, Respiratory Care, Radiography and Veterinary Technology programs must sit for the basic skills test prior to being eligible to sit for the Admissions Exam.

A successful candidate for a health professions program at Bergen Community College must possess certain abilities and skills necessary to provide and maintain safe and effective care administered to the patient. The candidate must be able to function on an independent level without any intermediary. These skills and abilities include: observation, communication, motor skills, cognitive and intellectual skills, behavioral and social attributes.

Health Professions students must carry personal medical health insurance, professional liability insurance, and be certified in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by the American Heart Association (Healthcare Provider with AED) or the American Red Cross (Professional Rescue Certification). In addition, all health professions students are required to complete health examination forms upon admission to the program and fulfill the requirement for a yearly Mantoux skin test for tuberculosis.

Students seeking admission to Nursing (Day), Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Paramedic Science, Radiography, Respiratory Care and Surgical Technology must submit completed applications including transcripts by February 1 for Fall (September) admission.

Nursing (Evening) and Veterinary Technology applications including transcripts are due by October 1, for Spring (January) admission.

Criminal History Background Check Requirement

Clinical agencies mandate criminal history background checks for all individuals engaged in patient care, and all students must undergo criminal history background checks before admission may be offered.

These checks are conducted by an external company, and the information is sent to the Dean of Health Professions. All background reports must be clear to be eligible for admission and to be invited to take any Admissions Examination. Any applicant with a background report that is NOT clear will not be eligible for consideration.

Information Sessions

Students are expected to attend an Information Session before applying to a HP program.

For disability accommodation, please contact The Office of Specialized Services at 201-612-5269 or email [email protected].  One week advance notice is appreciated.

Health Professions Admissions Application Deadlines

Admissions application information is accessible under “Admissions Deadlines” Web page.

Division of Health Professions

The Division of Health Professions at Bergen Community College boasts ten fully accredited programs including Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical Office Assistint, Nursing, Paramedic Science, Radiation Therapy Technology, Radiography, Respiratory Care,and Veterinary Technology. One year Certificate programs include Surgical Technology and Medical Office Administrative Assistant. Our comprehensive programs incorporate extensive clinical training as well as rigorous didactic courses. Graduates of the Health Professions programs are prepared for entry-level positions at hospitals, private offices, freestanding clinics, and research facilities.

Contact Information:

To contact the Office of Health Professions Admissions please email us at:
[email protected]