Admission prerequisites
To apply for our respiratory care program, you must be a high school graduate or have received a GED or state equivalency diploma. A "C" grade or better is required in your high school biology, chemistry and algebra classes.
You need to have earned a score of 1050 or better on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), with a minimum of 450 each in the math and reading sections. We also accept ACT scores of 21.
We require all applicants to tour a respiratory therapy department, and we may ask you to attend an interview with our program director. Transfer students and anyone not currently attending school or college are eligible for our program, and we consider them on an individual basis.
Program requirements
You must meet several requirements for our program, including:
- sufficient hearing, vision, and physical and motor skills and coordination
- ability to communicate verbally and in writing in English
- physical ability to perform all tasks in the workplace
- ability to comprehend, calculate, reason, analyze and apply information
- professional demeanor and behavior
Additionally, you’ll be required to have a pre-placement health screening. The screening includes PPD testing, color-blindness test, a health history, and immunization review.
You’ll also be required to undergo a criminal background check prior to being admitted to the program. A student who fails criminal background check will not be allowed to enter the program.
We’re a tobacco-free workplace, and you’ll be tested for nicotine.
Our nondiscrimination admission policy
No one will be denied admission into our program on the basis of race, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, sexual orientation, religious preference or marital status.
Program flexibility
You must complete the required respiratory therapy courses in order. If you’re not able to complete a course, it will delay your respiratory therapy education by one year. Our program also requires you to attend summer sessions.
Certification
After completing our respiratory care program, you’ll be eligible for the certification examination from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) to become a certified respiratory therapist (CRT).
The certification exam is often called the entry-level exam, and many states require that you pass this exam before you can work in respiratory care. You may take a second national exam to become a registered respiratory therapist (RRT).