Admissions

Admissions Overview

• This admissions process applies to the Respiratory Care program.
• Program Admissions are limited due to the availability of clinical teaching placements and accreditation requirements.
• The Respiratory Care program has two tracks
  • Full-time will begin every Summer Semester and will be 5 consecutive Semesters in length.
    Part-time will begin every Autumn Semester and will be 7 consecutive Semesters in length.
• A competitive admissions process is applied when candidates meeting admission criteria exceed program capacity.

Admissions

Step 1: Apply to Columbus State Community College

• To be considered for admission into the program, you must first be accepted into Columbus State. You can apply to the college here: Apply to Columbus State
• Please note enrollment in Columbus State is not the same as enrollment in the Respiratory Care Program.

Step 2: Schedule an appointment with an HHS advisor

• Schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor in the Health Sciences Pathway, visit: Health Sciences Pathway Advisors.  Your advisors will help you determine what courses or placement testing may be needed to meet the Respiratory Care Program admissions requirements. (The Respiratory Care Program admission requirements are listed below.)

Step 3: Attend a mandatory information session

• Attend a mandatory Respiratory Care Program Information Session.  The schedule of upcoming information sessions is updated each semester and can be found below.  Don't forget to use the link to RSVP for the information session so we know to expect you!

Step 4: Apply to the Respiratory Care Program

• Complete a Respiratory Care Program application for either the full-time or part-time program.  Admission to the Respiratory Care Program for full-time students start Summer Semester only.  Part-time students are admitted during the Autumn Semester only

Respiratory Care Applications

Mandatory Respiratory Care Information Sessions

To be considered eligible for Respiratory Care program admission you must attend a Mandatory Respiratory Care Information Session and complete the Information Session Quiz. The session will explain the admission process and provide an overview of what to expect in the Respiratory Care program. 

Program Admission Requirements

Each year 24 students will be conditionally admitted to the Respiratory Care Program if the following criteria have been met:

• Placement into STAT 1350.
• Placement into ENGL 1100.
• Placement into "No Reading Required" or completion of DEV 0145 or a previous degree
• NURC 1001 with grade of “C” or above.
• Minimum Total GPA of 2.50 or above
• Attend a Mandatory Respiratory Care Program Information Session.
• Admission requirements in 2028 will require students to complete the HESI A2 Exam for consideration into the respiratory care program.
• Completion of a health record on file in the Health Records Office
• Attend a Mandatory Orientation Session (after receiving the conditional acceptance notification).

Acceptance is conditional on submission and clearance of student background check and drug screening.

Candidates Conditionally Selected to the Respiratory Care Program

Upon conditional admission to the Respiratory Care program, applicants will be required to complete the background and drug testing following the CSCC guidelines at the student’s expense. Background checks and drug screens are valid for 1-year. If background check and drug screen was completed more than 12 months prior to the first day of the semester in which respiratory courses begin, the student will be required to complete another screening. Students may also be required to resubmit a background check or drug screening at any time while enrolled in the program.

The respiratory care program does not honor medical marijuana cards.

Students who decline the offer of admission, or fail to respond to the offer, must re-apply to be considered for a future class. The student must meet the admission criteria in effect for that class.

Students are responsible for maintaining awareness of the application procedures, the admission requirements and any changes made to those requirements. Any questions should be directed to respiratory@cscc.edu or the Respiratory Care Program office located on the third floor of Union Hall.
Upon acceptance to the Respiratory Care program students are also responsible for updating and maintaining their health records with the college. For more information visit the Health Records Page and download the Respiratory, Medical Imaging, Surgical Technology, or Medical Assisting form.

Statement Regarding Infectious Diseases

Students in any of the Allied Health programs, including Respiratory Care Students, perform their clinical work with patients. Columbus State does not discriminate against students, faculty, or patients in any way, or based on color, creed, national origin, gender, disability or sexual preference. The patient populations with whom we work come from all walks of life, and the students may therefore be exposed to many types of communicable diseases.

These are not limited to but may include: Hepatitis (A, B, C, or D), HIV/AIDS, TB, measles, mumps, rubella, rubeola, varicella, influenza (flu) etc. All students are required to have appropriate immunizations after they are admitted to the program. Additionally, although all precautions are taken to minimize exposure and risk, there is always a slight possibility that precautions may fail or that a student may accidentally expose him/herself to infectious diseases. All students entering the Respiratory Care Program must be aware of this slight, but real, potential. All students are encouraged to have personal health insurance in effect by the first day of class.