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Eligibility and Requirements

Learn about the eligibility requirements for admission to KU's respiratory care bachelor's degree program.

Most students attending KU's bachelor's degree program in respiratory care enter as a college junior, after completing the first two years of prerequisites on the KU Lawrence campus or at another regionally accredited college or university. It's important to ensure prerequisites, electives and other eligibility requirements are met.

Interested in KU's bachelor's degree program in respiratory care?

Admission Requirements

  1. Prerequisite Courses
    Prior to entering the program students must complete two (2) years of undergraduate college coursework including all prerequisite courses. If you're a transfer student, your coursework must be from an educational institution that is regionally accredited. This is not the same as national accreditation.

    Please complete the program advising worksheet to evaluate your readiness to apply to KU's respiratory care program.

  2. Grade Point Average
    An overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) for college coursework is required to be eligible to apply. Student transcripts must document an individual course grade of no less than "C" on each prerequisite course.

  3. Technical Standards
    All individuals admitted to the program will be asked to verify that they can meet the technical standards with or without accommodation(s). Applicants who disclose a disability are considered for admission if otherwise qualified.

  4. Background Check and Drug Screen
    The Joint Commission requires all incoming students to submit to and provide a background check report to KU. Students pay this one-time fee directly to the company performing the background investigation. Students will provide information and make payment after official acceptance into the program.

    For more information, please see the School of Health Professions background check instructions. Drug screening may be required to participate at clinical training sites.


Vaccine and Clinical Site Requirements

Matriculated students will need to provide an immunization profile prior to participating in curricular and/or clinical experiences required by the program. Please read the information found at the bottom of the program's curriculum page and be sure that you understand these requirements.


International Students

An applicant is considered an international student if they require a visa, currently reside in the U.S. with non-immigrant status, or currently reside in the U.S. as a permanent resident. Additional requirements and documentation are required for international students to become eligible for KU programs. Please review the information for international students before applying.

English Language Proficiency: all students in the respiratory care program are required to have strong command of the English language. Students must meet the communication component of the technical standards in order to effectively communicate critical information to other health professionals and to the patient.

Special language requirements apply to any student whose native language is not English or who haven't earned a baccalaureate degree (or higher) from an institution in one of the following countries: United States, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or English-speaking provinces in Canada.

Applicants whose first language is not English but who have become U.S. citizens and do not hold degrees from one of the countries indicated above must also verify English language competence. To establish strong command of the English language, official exam results from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) must be obtained within two years prior to application. These scores will help determine if a student will need additional language training with a health care focus.

Applicants required to complete the TOEFL or IELTS must earn the minimum scores listed below:

  • Internet-based TOEFL minimum requirements: a minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL or 550 on the old paper exam and a minimum of 20 in each section of the new paper exam.
  • IELTS minimum requirements: a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 on the academic test.
  • For application cycle deadline of February 2020: official documentation means test scores must be sent directly from the administering agency to KU Medical Center using ETS school code 6895. Failure to submit official documentation will delay the admission process.

NOTE: The standardized test of English language is a requirement for students admitted to KU-Lawrence campus in fall 2018 or later.

A TOEFL or IELTS score that does not meet the minimum score requirements will be an indicator that there is a need for further English language training with a health care focus. While the tests scores will not be an admission criterion, students will be required to engage in additional English language support to participate in the program.

Advising and Questions

photo of Alex LopezWe're here to answer questions and provide assistance as you explore the field of respiratory care! It is very important to contact us for advising as early as possible in your college career.

High school students, counselors and those in their early years of college study may contact Alex Lopez, our school's outreach and recruitment specialist, with questions at alopez12@kumc.edu or 913-588-1743 (711 TTY).

photo of Larry SteinIf you're interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree in respiratory care at KU, please complete the program advising worksheet and then contact Lawrence Stein, M.S., RRT, clinical assistant professor and on-campus program coordinator, to schedule an advising session.

KU School of Health Professions

University of Kansas Medical Center
Respiratory Care and Diagnostic Science
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Mailstop 1013
Kansas City, KS 66160
913-588-4630 • 711 TTY