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Respiratory Therapy Application

Submit your application to TCC's Respiratory Therapy Program

The Respiratory Therapy program is two years (7 quarters) in duration, with classes starting in Fall quarter. There is one application cycle per year.

Application Timeline:

For the 2026-2027 academic year, the application for the Respiratory Therapy program will open on May 15th at 9 a.m. and will close on July 1st at 11:59 p.m. 

Admission Information:

As a career in Respiratory Therapy requires a strong attention to detail, showcasing your hard work and submitting a thorough and accurate application is of the utmost importance for the admissions process. Please follow all directions closely, and see below for requirements:

Document and Submission Requirements

  • This is a two-part application. You must complete and submit the application questionnaire as well as upload any required documentation through the Application Portal. Both must be completed in order for your application to be evaluated.
  • Once you submit the application questionnaire, you will not be able to make any changes or edits. Please double-check that all information is correct before submission.
  • Following submission of the questionnaire, you will be brought to the Application Portal, where you can upload required documents. Your application will be marked as complete only when all required documentation is uploaded. 
  • ALL prerequisite courses must be complete (with a final grade) prior to submitting an application (Note that the deadline for application is July 1st, and Spring quarter grades typically post by the end of June).
  • Unofficial transcripts are required to show final grades in prerequisite courses. This includes unofficial transcripts from TCC. Failure to upload a transcript proving a final grade may result in your application being disqualified.
  • In order to receive points on an application for Healthcare/Patient Care experience, a document from HR (or a volunteer coordinator) must be uploaded. This documentation must be on official company letterhead, and include a description of the job performed and total hours worked. (Note: Healthcare Experience Forms will no longer be accepted).
  • Ensure that all information in your application is accurate and matches attached supplemental documentation. The college has the authority to verify all records within your application, and falsification of any information provided may lead to disqualification.
Healthcare/Patient Care Experience:

Healthcare experiences prior to application into a Healthcare Pathway program is a great way of learning if a career in the healthcare field is right for you.

The following list is of acceptable working or volunteer experiences, but it is not limited to those that are mentioned. If you have questions about whether your experience will qualify for points, please email a full job description (with details on the job duties performed) to healthprograms@tacomacc.edu.

  • Behavioral Health Technician
  • Certified Nursing Assistant
  • Dental Assistant
  • Dental Hygienist
  • Dialysis Technician
  • EKG Technician
  • Emergency Room Technician
  • EMT
  • Health Records/Health Information Associate (Note: must be involved in direct interaction with patients or healthcare providers)
  • Hospital Unit Clerk
  • Hospital-based Scribe (Note: must involve direct interaction with healthcare providers)
  • Licensed Practical Nurse
  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Scribe (Bedside)
  • Optometric Tech
  • OT/PT Aide
  • Paramedic
  • Patient Care Technician
  • Patient Transporter (Note: must be in a hospital setting)
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • Surgical Technician/Scrub Technician (Note: Sterilization Technician will not qualify for patient care experience)
  • Veterinary Technician
  • **Please note that this list of qualifying healthcare/patient care roles is not all-inclusive. If you are unsure whether your position qualifies, please email an official job description to HealthPrograms@tacomacc.edu, and our team will be happy to review it.
Application Rubric:

 

Criteria for Admissions

Points Possible

Completion of all prerequisite courses with a grade of C, and a minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.5.

0 – Required

GPA of all 5 prerequisite courses

65% of total score

 

 

Documented Healthcare/Patient Care Experience

*In order to receive points, experience must be within the past 10 years, and official documentation from HR or a volunteer coordinator must be uploaded to the application.

 

A maximum of 8 points for recent healthcare experience:

  • 0 – 49 hours: 0 points
  • 50 – 99 hours: 2 points
  • 100 – 299 hours: 4 points
  • 300 – 499 hours: 6 points
  • 500+ hours: 8 points

Documented veteran/Current military (must have honorable discharge).

1.5 points

Documented low income or low socioeconomic household.

1.5 points

Students who submitted a qualified, complete application to the Respiratory Therapy program in the last year.

1.5 points

Students who indicate in their application that Respiratory Therapy is their first program of choice.  

1.5 points