糖心网页版

Respiratory Care - A.A.S. Degree

How to Apply

 

Program Start
The Respiratory Care program begins every Fall semester in August.

Start here
If you are a first-time college student or transferring to 糖心网页版, begin the application process by completing the Steps-to-Getting-Started.

What You Need to Apply
You may use the Respiratory Care Application Checklist to guide you through the application process. 

Complete Prerequisite Courses
Provide proof of college credit, with a grade of "C" or better. 

  • ENGL 1301 鈥� Composition I
  • BIOL 2401 鈥� Anatomy & Physiology I
  • BIOL 2402 鈥� Anatomy & Physiology II
  • 3 credits from MATH Core

Academic Courses
Completion of the following course is not required at the time of application, but is strongly recommended prior to admission.

  • 3 Credits: Social/Behavioral Science Core Elective
  • 3 Credits: Language, Philosophy & Culture Elective OR Creative Arts Elective 
  • 4 Credits: BIOL 2420 鈥� Microbiology for Non-Science Majors


All applicants are required to attend an information session. In-person sessions will be in  S-140. Limited virtual sessions will be available starting in February 2027.

Scheduled Information Session Dates:

Date Time
September 8, 2026 11:00 a.m.
October 16, 2026 1:00 p.m.
November 19, 2026 11:00 a.m.
December 8, 2026 2:00 p.m.
January 22, 2027 9:00 a.m.
February 9, 2027 10:00 a.m.
February 19, 2027 3:00 p.m.
March 25, 2027 1:00 p.m.
April 8, 2027 3:00 p.m.
April 30, 2027 9:00 a.m.
May 11, 2027 2:00 p.m.

Take Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT)

HSRT can be taken once a year.

Submit Application 

  • Application Form 鈥� Online application will open April 1st annually.
  • Official college transcript showing completion required courses (unofficial from Alvin College is acceptable)
  • Submit essay: Why do you want to become a respiratory therapist?

Selection for Admission

Admission to the Respiratory Care Program is competitive. Applicants are ranked by the following criteria:

  • Final grades in pre-requisite classes

Additional consideration will be given to applicants who:

  • Have completed the recommended academic courses
  • Hold a certificate or degree
  • Have taken Anatomy & Physiology courses at 糖心网页版

Deductions will be given for:

  • F's or withdrawals in pre-requisite classes

What鈥檚 Next?
Wait to be contacted by the department. Please be patient; it can take several weeks for admission applications to be processed.

If Accepted?
You will be invited to attend a mandatory program orientation where you will be provided with instructions to complete the following:

  • Proof of personal health insurance
  • Passing a drug screening
  • Physical examination
  • Cleared criminal background
  • Immunizations Required

Immunization and Tests

HEPATITIS-B:

  • Respiratory Care students must submit a Hep-B titer report. This is required by clinical sites.
  • MAKE SURE YOU GET THE CORRECT HEP-B TITER DONE. It should be a 鈥淗epatitis-B surface antibody鈥� test (abbreviated as 鈥渁nti-HBs鈥� or 鈥淗BsAb鈥�). Do not get 鈥渟urface antigen鈥� test or any other hepatitis test.
  • You must submit the titer report whether it is positive or negative (whether it says you are immune or not).
  • Clinical sites set a 5-year time limit on the Hep-B titer, and they require that it remain current throughout the entire semester. If your titer expires before the end of a semester, you must repeat the titer and submit the report before that semester starts.
  • If you recently finished taking Hep-B shots, you must wait at least 2 months after the last shot before getting the titer done; otherwise, it may incorrectly say you are not immune when you really are.
  • The HepB test should be positive. If your Hep-B titer is negative (meaning you are not immune to Hep-B), you must repeat the entire Hep-B immunization series. Then repeat the Hepatitis-B surface antibody titer after the wait period. We recommend that you get the 鈥淗eplisav鈥� type of Hep-B immunization 鈥� two shots one month apart. If your repeated titer does not show immunity, you will need to get a doctor鈥檚 note stating you are a non-responder to the Hep-B vaccinations.


VARICELLA (chicken pox):

  • EITHER submit report of blood test that states whether you are immune to varicella (called 鈥渧aricella IgG titer鈥�)
  • OR submit proof of two varicella immunizations spaced at least 28 days apart.
  • Childhood varicella immunizations are acceptable.
  • Documentation of varicella illness (of having had the chicken pox as a child) is not acceptable.
  • If having varicella vaccinations, the TB screening must be done before the varicella vaccination.
  • If you get a varicella titer instead of shots:
    • MAKE SURE YOU GET THE RIGHT VARICELLA TITER DONE. It should be a varicella immunity test (abbreviated 鈥淚gG鈥�). Do not get the IgM test, which only checks if you are currently infected.
    • You must submit the titer report whether it is positive or negative (whether it says you are immune or not).
    • If your varicella titer is negative (meaning you are not immune to varicella), submit proof of 2 varicella vaccinations spaced at least 28 days apart that were done after the titer. After that, you are done; you will not have to repeat the varicella titer.
    • There is a 5-year time limit on the varicella titer 鈥� it must be current throughout the entire semester. If your titer expires before the end of a semester, you must repeat the titer and turn in the report before that semester starts.
  • TB screening must be done before the vaccinations to be accurate.


MMR (measles, mumps, rubella):

  • EITHER submit report of blood test that states whether you are immune to measles (rubeola/mumps/rubella 鈥� called 鈥淢MR IgG titer)
  • OR submit proof of two MMR immunizations spaced at least 28 days apart.
  • Childhood MMR immunizations are acceptable.
  • If having MMR vaccinations, the TB screening must be done before the MMR vaccination.
  • If you get an MMR titer instead of shots:
    • MAKE SURE YOU GET THE RIGHT MMR TITER DONE. It should be an MMR immunity test (abbreviated 鈥淚gG鈥�). Do not get the IgM test, which only checks if you are currently infected.
    • You must submit the titer report whether it is positive or negative (whether it says you are immune or not).
    • If any components of the MMR titer are negative (meaning you are not immune to one or more components of MMR), submit proof of 2 MMR immunizations spaced at least 28 days apart that were done after the titer. After that you are done; you will not have to repeat the MMR titer.
    • There is a 5-year time limit on the MMR titer; it must be current throughout the entire semester. If your titer expires before the end of a semester, you must repeat the titer and turn in the report before that semester starts.
    • TB screening must be done before the vaccinations to be accurate.


TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis):

  • Submit proof of one Tdap immunization administered when you were an adult (on or after your 18th birthday).
  • Childhood Tdap or Dtap immunizations (before you were 18) are not acceptable. You MUST have proof of a shot that includes pertussis as an adult.
  • If your adult Tdap is more than 10 years old, submit proof of a Td booster in addition to proof of the adult Tdap.
  • There is a 10-year time limit on Tdap or Td booster. It must be current throughout the entire semester; if it expires before the end of a semester, you must turn in proof of aTd booster before that semester starts.

FLU:

  • Students starting the Respiratory Care program in August 鈥� you will get a seasonal flu immunization in late September. You DO NOT have to turn in flu shot proof before you start in August.
  • All sophomore students will repeat their flu immunizations in September.
  • Flu documentation must show the name of the facility or healthcare provider where you got it. This is required by some of the hospitals you will attend.


TUBERCULOSIS SCREEN:

  • Submit a QuantiFERON Gold TB blood test performed in the past three months stating negative results
  • OR a 2-step TB screen (two skin tests performed within 21 days)
  • If your TB test is positive, also submit a report of chest X-ray showing no evidence of active lung disease.
  • TB screen is good for one year. Chest X-ray is good for 2 years.
  • TB screen or chest X-ray must be current throughout the entire semester; if it expires before the end of a semester, you must repeat the TB screen or X-ray and turn in the report before that semester starts.
  • If having MMR or varicella vaccinations, the TB screening must be done before the vaccinations to be accurate.

KEEP THE ORIGINALS OF YOUR IMMUNIZATIONS AND TESTS!!

  • You need to keep your originals in order to submit copies:
    • For a grade during your first semester
    • To your employer when you are hired
    • To another school if you decide to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree
  • All documents are to be uploaded to your account in Complio. Follow the directions in the handout provided.

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COLLEGE & CAREER PATHWAYS

Respiratory Care is part of our Health Career Pathway. Click the box below to see other Health programs that may interest you.

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