Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

Respiratory Therapy

Associate Degree  |  10-515-1

www.cvtc.edu  |  1-800-547-2882

 

To get started, applicants must first complete the College Admission Requirements. Once completed, applicants are officially accepted to CVTC and placed on the program waiting list, if applicable. An applicant’s program eligibility date is the date their completed application is received. If necessary, the application time will also be used to determine placement priority. 

 

Before beginning core program classes, all Academic Preparedness Requirements must also be completed as outlined below. Applicants still working on Academic Preparedness Requirements may be accepted as Pre-Core. Pre-Core status allows applicants to take general education courses and continue working on necessary Academic Preparedness Requirements while maintaining their place in line for the program. 

 

When all Academic Preparedness Requirements are met and space is available in the core program, applicants are eligible to register for core Respiratory Therapy (515-level) courses. 

College Admission Requirements

  • Submit an application for admission at cvtc.edu/apply
  • Pay the one-time $30 application processing fee  

Program Academic Preparedness Requirements 

Education Requirement - Applicants must be a high school graduate or have completed the High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) or the General Education Development Certificate (GED).

  • Applicants without a high school diploma, GED, or HSED should contact Adult Education and College Prep at 715-833-6400 or adultedservices@cvtc.edu for options to demonstrate college readiness. Students who do not have a high school diploma, GED, or HSED are not eligible for financial aid.

Assessment Range - Provide transcript or score sheet documentation verifying one of the following: 

  • High school/GED/HSED GPA of 2.8 or higher
  • College GPA of 2.2 or higher (6 or more credits)
  • Associate or bachelor’s degree
  • ACT® composite score of 23 or higher
  • ACCUPLACER® (Next-Generation) composite score of 263 or higher (includes Reading, Writing and QAS)
  • Classic ACCUPLACER® or Compass® scores (Contact Student Central at 715-833-6200 for acceptable score ranges)

Academic Prerequisites

  • Submit transcript proof of algebra, biology and chemistry completion with a “C” or better by one of the following:
    • Two semesters at the high school level (each with a "C" or better).  Current high school seniors must submit proof of enrollment in progress.
    • One semester at the college-level (each with a "C" or better).
    • Completion of equivalent CVTC college-level prep courses (each with a “C” or better):
      • 834-110 Elementary Algebra w/ Applications
      • 836-113 Prep for Basic Biology
      • 836-133 Prep for Basic Chemistry
  • Completion of 806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology with a grade of “C” or better.
  • Submit proof of completion of 543-300 Nursing Assistant training that includes a clinical component. Acceptable documentation is a Nursing Assistant registry card, a transcript, or Certificate of Completion from a technical college, training agency, or nursing home. You do not need to be a Certified Nursing Assistant but must submit proof of successful course completion. NOTE: The Nursing Assistant class does not qualify for Financial Aid.

Submit documentation to the Admissions Office at admissionsmail@cvtc.edu.  

 

Program “Academic Preparedness Verification (APV)” Form (Formerly CCE) - After completing all Academic Preparedness requirements, applicants must submit the APV Form to the Admissions Office.

 

  • If you're not taking prerequisite courses at CVTC and this is your last requirement:
    • Log into your CVTC Commons account.
    • Go to the "Forms" drop-down menu.
    • Select "Forms" → then click "Academic Preparedness Verification" under the Admissions section.
    • Click the "Academic Preparedness Verification" button. 
    • Choose the middle radio button labeled: "Other admission requirement (e.g. Exam, transcript, licensure, etc.)",
    • Then click "Next".
    • Complete the form. 
    • Click "Submit" at the bottom. 
  • If you’re completing Academic Preparedness requirements through CVTC courses: 
    • You must wait until the end of the term to submit your APV Form.
    • The Admissions Office will email you near the end of the term (via your student email) with: The submission date and time 
    • Directions for completing and submitting the form 

Once all the above items have been completed, you will be considered for enrollment based on current openings in the program. Your original application date and time will be used to determine placement into the program openings.

Additional Information

  • Pre-Entrance Health History – Must be on file prior to entering the core courses (515 numbered courses) of the Respiratory Therapy program. Students will receive notification from their program area when it is time to complete this step. A fee will apply.
  • Criminal Background Check - A background check is required before beginning core coursesStudents will receive notification from their program area when it is time to complete this stepPlease note that a fee will apply.
  • Proof of current CPR Certification by the American Heart Association – BLS Provider level or the American Red Cross – Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider level is required of students before entering the clinical courses for this program. CVTC offers CPR-BLS Provider; find more information at cvtc.edu/seminars. Proof must be verified with a current CPR card. Class rosters, letters from instructors or employers, and online course certification are not acceptable. Your instructor will ask for a copy of your card on the first day of your clinical courses
  • Clinical Compliance - to be in compliance with CVTC's partnering clinical agencies and the agencies' regulating bodies, for example the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), students must be prepared to abide by vaccination mandates and health and safety guidelines as dictated by those bodies.   
  • Clinical students need to be prepared for overnight hotel stays and traveling in the last two semesters of the program.
  • General Education Courses – Students are encouraged to complete the general education courses that are part of the program prior to starting core courses.
  • Course Sequence – Upon acceptance to the core program, students are required to follow the core course sequence and semester credit load as identified on the program requirements.
  • Pay for College - Visit cvtc.edu/payforcollege or call 715-833-6200 for information on financial aid availability and application procedures, scholarships, veteran’s benefits, payment methods, etc. 
  • Transfer Credit/Credit for Prior Learning - Students with prior college credit should submit an official transcript to the Admissions Office at admissionsmail@cvtc.edu for evaluation and possible transfer credit.
  • Residency - In programs with limited capacity, preference will be given to Wisconsin residents.

*Official transcripts must be submitted directly to CVTC from the educational institution by USPS mail or other recognized mail service providers in a sealed envelope or from a digital credential service (i.e., Parchment) approved by CVTC.

Last Updated: September 11, 2025 @ 12:10 p.m.

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Printed: 9/18/2025 3:05 a.m.

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