Respiratory Care

There are a couple of pathways available toward entering a career in respiratory care.  This handout will focus on the pathway for students who, with no prior respiratory experience or education, intend to earn a baccalaureate degree through an undergraduate program of respiratory care.  At The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s (UTHSCSA) School of Health Professions, this requires two phases.  The first is the completion of prescribed pre-respiratory care coursework at an undergraduate institution.  After being accepted into the School of Health Professions at UTHSCSA, a student can then complete the second phase of upper-division respiratory care courses leading to a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care (B.S.).  The following courses represent what courses should be taken at UTSA to fulfill the core and program prerequisites for entry into the UTHSCSA School of Health Professions Respiratory Care Program.  There is some variation in requirements from other respiratory care programs. Thus, students are advised to consult individual programs for their specific and most current information. 

There is not a centralized application service for respiratory care programs; each school has its own application process.  Please consult individual programs for specific information.  For your convenience, the American Association for Respiratory Care has a list of accredited respiratory therapist programs available at: http://www.aarc.org/education/accredited_programs/.     

The UTHSCSA Respiratory Care program permits prospective students to apply online once they have reached at least sophomore standing.  In some instances, it may be possible for students to be conditionally admitted before the prerequisites are completed.  Official transcript(s) from each institution attended must be sent in advance of the May 15th deadline for fall semester admission.

Applicants must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 with all program prerequisites completed with a grade of a “C” or better in order to be considered for admission.  However, the average GPA for accepted students is significantly higher.  The UTHSCSA School of Health Professions calculates two GPAs for admission.  The prerequisite GPA is calculated using all “Program Prerequisite” coursework grades.  If a course is repeated, the highest grade is used.  The second GPA for admission is the overall GPA.  Grades from all courses completed are used in calculating this GPA, except for those from remedial or developmental, physical education, or technical courses.  If a course is repeated, both the original and the repeated grades will be calculated into the overall GPA.  Qualified applicants will be required to interview with department faculty. 

Additional program facts, application information and admissions requirements can be found at the UTHSCSA School of Health Professions Welcome Center website at: http://www.shpwelcome.uthscsa.edu/index.asp

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An integral part of preparation for respiratory care school entails involvement in community service projects and volunteer work in a hospital or clinical setting.  These activities serve to familiarize prospective respiratory therapists with the realities of everyday clinical practice as well as to underscore the role of respiratory therapists and healthcare in relation to broader community level concerns and issues.  A list of opportunities is available on the UHPO website (www.utsa.edu/healthprofessions).  We do not, however, have a list available for shadowing experiences.  Students must exercise personal initiative and develop relationships that would allow them to have this direct contact with a respiratory therapist in everyday clinical practice.