Respiratory Therapy Admission Requirements

Admissions Requirements

BSRT Entry to Practice

Pursue a rewarding career with a degree in respiratory therapy from Liberty University. With the BS in Respiratory Therapy (BRST) degree, you’ll be able to:

•  Perform patient assessment
• Develop and monitor respiratory care plans
• Administer protocols
• Carry out disease management and rehabilitation
• Provide patient and family education
• Serve as a physician extender to the pulmonologist, anesthesiologist, intensivist, pediatricians, etc.

Your BRST degree will also enable you to perform basic and critical respiratory care therapeutic and diagnostic procedures in the hospital, home, and alternate care sites. Gain the foundation you’ll need for professional leadership in clinical practice and clinical specialization.

Program graduates are eligible to sit for the national board exams for certification as an entry-level respiratory therapist, to become registered as an advanced-level respiratory therapist, and to take specialty examinations in perinatal/pediatrics and pulmonary function technology.

Selection Process

The Respiratory Therapy (RT) program at Liberty is both competitive and selective. Not every student who applies will be accepted into the RT Program. Students interested in majoring in Respiratory Therapy will go through two application processes following the pre-professional phase of the program. Initial acceptance will occur following your freshman spring semester, while the full acceptance will occur after your sophomore fall semester. If you are a student transferring to Liberty or changing your major, initial acceptance will be determined by the program director, and full acceptance will be determined by the RT Program Admission Committee.

Phases of Acceptance

• Pre-professional (freshman year): Students interested in joining the RT Program at Liberty University should initially enroll in BIOL 203, 213, and 214, along with available General Studies curriculum requirements. In the second semester, students should enroll in BIOL 215 & 216 and PSYC 101 along with available General Studies curriculum requirements.
• Initial Acceptance (summer after freshman year): Applications for initial admission must be submitted by April 15 of the freshman year. Apply here if you are a Liberty student already enrolled in the BSRT Program.
• The criteria for initial status are outlined in the sections below.
• Full Acceptance (between sophomore fall & spring semesters): Applications for full admission must be submitted by November 15 of the sophomore year. Full acceptance will be based upon the criteria outlined in the sections below.

Initial Requirements

1. Students must meet the following criteria and provide the following information:
   • Candidates must be in good academic standing with the university and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
   • Complete the provisional application form, including personal statement and experience
   • Provide a copy of all collegiate transcripts
   • Submit a medical history form signed by a physician. The form must include an endorsement by the physician stating that you are physically able to meet the requirements of the program (See Essential Functions and Professional Expectations)

• Meet the Essential Functions for admission into the program
• A copy of vaccination records for rubella, tetanus, mumps, polio, chickenpox, and HBV vaccinations must be uploaded and confirmed by CastleBranch.

2. All documents are due by April 15 to the RT Program Director
3. Initial acceptance will only occur after final grades for the freshman spring semester have been confirmed by the Registrar’s office

It is your responsibility to make sure the required documents and information are in the hands of the RT Program Director by the application deadline.

Full Application Requirements

Students must apply for full acceptance into Liberty’s RT Program during the semester after their initial acceptance. The application deadline will be November 15 of their sophomore year. You must meet and submit documentation for the following criteria and provide the following information to the RT Program to be considered for acceptance:

1. Anticipated final grade for each of the following courses: BIOL 203, 213, 214, 215, 216 & PSYC 101 along with any General Studies courses completed
   • Full acceptance will only occur after final grades have been confirmed by the Registrar’s office
2. Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
3. Verification of AHA Professional Rescuer/BLS CPR (certification must remain current while in RT Program)
4. Completed background check through CastleBranch
5. Successfully complete a personal interview focused on your knowledge of the respiratory therapy field, academic goals, career goals, and communication skills
6. Verification of your ability to meet technical standards
   • Copy of vaccination records, which must include Rubella, Tetanus, Mumps, Polio, Chicken Pox, Tuberculosis, and HBV vaccination
7. Verification of HIPAA and/or FERPA training
8. Verification of OSHA/Bloodborne Pathogens Training (annual requirement)
9. Read & signed confidentiality statement (annual requirement)
10. Read & sign RT Program Handbook (annual requirement)

It is your responsibility to make sure the required documents and information are in the hands of the RT Program by the application deadline.