NorthWest Arkansas Community College

How to Apply:

Apply for admission to NWACC

1. If you are not currently enrolled at NWACC, you need to apply for admission to the college in addition to applying to the Respiratory Therapy program.  Apply now to NWACC.

2. Complete your online Respiratory Therapist application

Selection Criteria

The following outlines how the selection criteria points are calculated to rank students applying to the program:

Selection of students into the RT program is based on a point system.  Students with the highest total points are selected for admission.  It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all eligibility requirements have been met.

• Required science courses
  • A=4 pts
  • B=3 pts
  • C=2 pts
• All other required general education courses
  • A=3 pts
  • B=2 pts
  • C=1 pt
• Interview - up to 20 points possible
  • The RT program will contact each applicant to schedule the interview after the application deadline
  • Applicants are encouraged to treat the interview as a job interview.
  • Only qualified applicants will be interviewed

Only qualified applicants will be interviewed by the admissions committee after the application period closes. Applicants will be contacted by email or phone to schedule the interview after the application period closes. Applicants are encouraged to treat the interview as a job interview. 

Program Acceptance

The Selection Committee will notify applicants to the Respiratory Therapy program by NWACC email after the completion of the Summer I semester final examinations. Please DO NOT contact the Respiratory Therapy department or Health Professions divisions concerning your application or standing.  Attached to the acceptance notification will be an acceptance form, which must be completed and returned by the due date on the form. 

The program accepts a maximum of 16 students a year.  The program maintains an alternate list, and qualified applicants will remain on the list until the first day of classes of the fall semester.  If an applicant declines or forfeits their position, the top scoring alternate will be offered the position and will continue until all positions are filled.  Please DO NOT contact the Respiratory Therapy department or Health Professions divisions concerning scoring or standing.

Upon acceptance to the program, you will be required to:

• Submit the program acceptance form from applicant's notification email.  (Failure to return the form by the due date will forfeit the position and another applicant will be awarded the position.)
• Monitor your email for class registration information

The alternate list:

• Applicants placed on the alternate list will be notified of their status at the same time the acceptance emails are sent.
• Alternates will remain on the alternate list until the first day of classes in the Fall semester. 
• If a program applicant declines or forfeits their position, the top scoring alternate will be offered that position. 
• The Program Director will continue offering positions to the alternates (according to scores) as openings are available until the class is filled or Fall classes start.  
• Alternates are encouraged to check their NWACC email daily for open positions, as alternates offered a position may have as little as 24 hours to return their acceptance forms.
• If an alternate is not called for admission by the first day of Fall classes, that applicant must reapply in the application cycle. 

Non-Native Speakers of English

Non-Native Speakers of English, seeking admission into Health Professions programs are required to complete an ESL Listening Test.  Students can receive more information and/or schedule to take this test through the NWACC testing center, 479-619-4354 or visit www.nwacc.edu/web/ldc_testingcenter/.  The ESL
listening test is designed to assess a student’s ability to understand Standard American English.  A score of 92 or higher on the COMPASS ESL listening test (taken within the last three (3) years) OR a score of 120 or higher on the Accuplacer ESL listening test is REQUIRED for NNSs students seeking entrance
into Health Professions Programs at NWACC.  The minimum score or higher indicates the ability to understand linguistically complex discussions, including academic lectures and factual reports.  NNSs students seeking career paths in Health Professions scoring below the minimum will need to retest and successfully pass by July 1st.