Admission Information
The program administrator and faculty, in cooperation with appropriate institutional
personnel establish admissions procedures which are non-discriminatory, contribute
to the quality of the program, and allow selection of students with potential for
successfully completing the program.
There is an established admissions committee which includes the program administrator
and an advisory selection committee.
Before applying to the Respiratory Therapist Program, please review the following
admission requirements and recommendations.
- You must have the ability to communicate safely, accurately, and effectively in both
written and spoken English. If English is your second language, you are encouraged
to enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) to enhance your success.
- Overall GPA 2.5 or better
- Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance.
- Official transcripts from all other institutions attended must be submitted and on
your student record by May 1st. If the transcript information is not displayed in
My NWACC and official transcripts have been submitted to NWACC, contact the Health Professions advisor or Enrollment Support.
- The following courses MUST completed with a grade of "C" or better, by the end of
the first 8-week session of summer semester (see coursework):
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II
- Microbiology
- Intro to computer information OR Electronic Health Records
- English Composition I
- Intro to Medical Terminology OR Medical Terminology for Health Sciences
- Survey of Technical Math or College Algebra
How to Apply:
NOTE: Before applying to the Respiratory Therapist Program, please review the the
admission information section.
1. Apply for admission to NWACC - 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 the online Respiratory Therapist application
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
- All other required general education courses
- 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.
Additional information regarding possible prohibition of taking licensure, registry
and certification examination for health professions students:
Individuals who have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, have been involved
with or convicted of illegal drug use or substance abuse, or who have been declared
judicially incompetent, may not be allowed to completed the clinical requirements
for the degree or obtain a medical licensure even with successful completion of the
degree requirements. The licensing board may not grant the graduate’s medical license
resulting in the inability to obtain a license and therefore the inability to practice
as a Respiratory Therapist. Applicants who have any questions about their admissibility
to the Health Professions programs may contact the Director of each department for
further information or the Health Professions Academic Advisor.
Excerpt from the Medical Practice Act: 17-95-307. License eligibility: No person shall
be eligible to receive or hold a license to practice medicine or another health care
profession issued by the Arkansas State Medical Board if the person has pleaded guilty
or nolo contendere or has been found guilty of either an infamous crime that would
impact his or her ability to practice medicine in the State of Arkansas or a felony
or a misdemeanor, regardless of whether the conviction has been sealed, expunged,
or pardoned.
Excerpt from the Medical Practice Act: 17-95-308. Waiver. (a) The requirements of
§ 17-95-307 may be waived by the Arkansas State Medical Board upon the request of:
(1) An affected applicant for licensure; or (2) The person holding the license subject
to revocation. (b) The board may consider the following circumstances when considering
a waiver, including, but not be limited to: (1) The age at which the crime was committed;
(2) The circumstances surrounding the crime; (3) The length of time since the crime;
(4) Subsequent work history; (5) Employment references; (6) Character references;
and (7) Other evidence demonstrating that the applicant does not pose a threat to
the health or safety to the public. (Arkansas State Medical Board. (2018). retrieved
from: http://www.armedicalboard.org/Professionals/pdf/mpa.pdf