Program Information

Respiratory therapists are healthcare professionals who contribute to the diagnosis and management of cardiorespiratory disorders, providing such services as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ventilator management, oxygen and aerosol therapy, patient assessment and evaluation, and diagnostic services including pulmonary function testing. Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals, neonatal nurseries, operating rooms, intensive care units, general wards, pulmonary function labs, and emergency departments. Respiratory therapists may also work in community settings such as homecare, asthma clinics, research, and medical equipment sales and service. Respiratory therapists require good judgement, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to maintain their composure in critical medical situations.     
 
Respiratory Therapy (RT) is a challenging comprehensive three-year program featuring two years of classroom, laboratory, clinical simulation, and clinical practicum exposure followed by one year of clinical education in an affiliated clinical site. Program topics include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, applied sciences, pharmacology, pathophysiology, mechanical ventilation, cardiopulmonary diagnostics, and neonatal respiratory care. Clinical application courses in years 1 and 2 utilize simulation and clinical site visits to facilitate theory integration and transition to the third and final year. The clinical phase consists of 37-weeks of training conducted at approved facilities within Newfoundland and Labrador. The RT program develops the technical skills and professional behaviours required for graduates to work competently as an integral member of the health care team.
 
Furthermore, program graduates will be well-positioned to challenge the national competency examination as directed through the Canadian Board for Respiratory Care. After completing this exam, they will be eligible to register with the Newfoundland and Labrador Council of Health Professionals.
 
 

At the time of application to the Respiratory Therapy program, applicants MUST be completing or have completed one of the following:
 
1. High School
High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% overall average in the following (or equivalent):
i. English 3201 or 3202 (minimum 60%)
Note: Effective 2026-2027 Academic Year intake applicants will need to have completed English 3201
ii. Mathematics chosen from:
    Advanced: 2200, 3200 (50% minimum in each course)
    Academic: 2201 (50% minimum), 3201 (60% minimum)
iii. Three Science courses:
    Biology: 2201 and 3201
    Chemistry: 3202
Note: Starting with the 2024-2025 Academic Year intake, applicants that have completed BL3201 after September 2020, will be required to have completed both BL2201 & BL3201.
Note: CNA will not apply newly revised requirements to the disadvantage of an applicant whose high school courses were established by earlier requirements. 
2. College Transition (prior to 2024, students would have completed Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition)
College Transition Certificate with the following courses:
i. English (minimum 60%): CM1060, CM1061
ii. Math (minimum 60%): MA1040, MA1041
iii. Four Science courses:
a. Biology: BL1025, BL1026
b. Chemistry: CH1035, CH1036
3. Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with Degree and Technical Profile (overall 60% average) including the following        courses (or equivalent):
i. English (60% minimum) 3101A, 3101B, 3101C or 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
ii. Mathematics (60% minimum) 1104A, 1104B, 1104C, 2104A, 2104B, 2104C, 3104A, 3104B, 3104C
iii. Science
    Biology 1101, 2101A, 2101B, 2101C, 3101A, 3101B, 3101C
    Chemistry 1102, 2102A, 2102B, 2102C, 3102A, 3102B, 3102C
Note: Applicants with Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with a different Profile (and appropriate grades) may be eligible for admission to the program provided the appropriate selection of courses including those outlined above have been completed.
Note: ESL students only – must meet School of Health Sciences English proficiency as outlined in Policy No. AC-102-PR.
 
Additional Admission Requirements

• Completion of the Casper Admissions Exam.
  • The Casper Admissions Exam official score will be used as part of the points-based system to determine ranking in the competitive entry process
  • All applicants are required to complete Caper* Admissions Exam (Casper 2 – CSP10211)
    as part of their application for the 2023/2024 admissions cycle. To complete Casper, visit Taking the Casper assessment - Take Casper (acuityinsights.app).

*Casper. The Casper test comprises 14 sections of video and written scenarios. Following each scenario, you will be required to answer a set of probing questions under a time contract. The test typically takes between 90-110 minutes to complete. Each response is graded by a different rater, giving a very robust and reliable view of personal and professional characteristics important to our program. No studying is required for Casper, although you may want to familiarize yourself with the test structure at TakeCasper.com, and ensure you have a quiet environment to take the test. We strongly urge you to take advantage of the 14-section practice test, which will not only immerse you in the test environment but will also ensure you meet the technical requirements to access and complete the test.
 
Casper test results are valid for one admissions cycle. Applicants who have already taken the test in previous years will therefore be expected to re-take it.
Casper Test Dates 2024-2025 Application Cycle

• October 3, 2024
• October 10, 2024
• November 7, 2024
• December 5, 2024
• January 9, 2025
• January 21, 2025
• February 20, 2025
• March 4, 2025
• April 8, 2025
   
  For a more detailed look at the Casper test, please see this video.

Additional Requirements Upon Acceptance

1. Complete a HS Student Information and Program Awareness Package, which includes:

• Criminal Record Screening (RNC) or Criminal Record Check (RCMP)
• Vulnerable Sector Check (RNC or RCMP)
• NL Student Preplacement Immunizations and Communicable Diseases Screening Form

See the Additional Information for Health Sciences Applicants (Definitions and Regulations) section of the calendar or under the Admissions Regulations section of our website for details.

Notes: 

• Applicants with a criminal offense listed on their Criminal Record Check may be denied access to clinical placements and may be unable to complete their program. Acceptance of the Criminal Record is at the discretion of the clinical placement site.
• The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all medical requirements are met, and health screening records are complete before submission. Certain immunizations require a series of tests or vaccines, requiring weeks or months to complete. Start the process as early as possible.
• The applicant is responsible for all associated costs (vaccinations, laboratory testing, healthcare fees, certificate of conduct fees, etc.).

COMPETITIVE ENTRY APPLICATION PROCESS - FALL 2025
Program Start Date   September 2025     
The competitive admissions process is points-based and includes:
View the Competitive Entry Application Process for this program

  

Deadline for receipt of application	February 26, 2025
Deadline for receipt of ALL supporting documentation*	March 7, 2025
Initial round of acceptances	April 15, 2025

*Documentation received after the deadline WILL NOT be considered
 
**Candidates not accepted for the intake to which they applied must re-apply for admission to future offerings.  Applications WILL NOT be kept on file.

CODE	TITLE	Hrs/wk
Semester 1		Cr	Le	La
CM1270	Communications in Health Care	3	3	0
TM1130	Medical Terminology	3	3	0
RT1160	Respiratory Mathematics	3	3	0
BL1605	Human Biology	4	3	2
RT1100	Introduction to Respiratory Therapy	4	3	3
HG1110	Applied Science for Allied Health	4	3	2
RT2305	Pharmacology	3	3	0
Semester 2		Cr	Le	La
CS2311	Research Methods and Statistics	2	2	0
RT1120	Cardiopulmonary Physiology	4	4	0
RT1130	Cardiopulmonary Patho I	4	4	0
RT2460	RT Techniques	4	3	3
BL2601	Intro to Microbiology	4	3	2
CM2201	Oral Communications	2	2	0
Semester 3	Intersession (7 weeks)	Cr	Le	La
RT1140	Airway Management I	4	3	3
RT1150	Clinical Application I	2	1	3
HG2051	Professional Practice & Ethics	3	3	0
Semester 4		Cr	Le	La
RT2110	Airway Management II	3	2	3
RT2120	Mechanical Ventilation I	4	3	3
RT2470	Neonatal Respiratory Care	4	3	2
RT2130	Clinical Application II	2	1	3
RT2140	Cardiac Diagnostics	4	3	2
RT2150	Cardiopulmonary Patho II	3	3	0
Semester 5		Cr	Le	La
RT2320	Anesthesia	4	4	0
RT2160	Mechanical Ventilation II	4	3	3
RT2170	Pulmonary Diagnostics	4	3	3
RT3430	Clinical Application III	2	1	3
RT2180	Neonatal Clinical Application	2	1	3
RT2240	Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation	3	2	2
Semester 6	Intersession (7 weeks)	Cr	Le	La
PS1420	Health Care Organization and Structure	3	3	0
RT2251	Clinical Application IV	4	2	6
Semester 7		Cr	Le	La
RT3000	Practicum I	15		15 wks
Semester 8		Cr	Le	La
RT3010	Practicum II	15		15 wks
Semester 9	Intersession (7 weeks)	Cr	Le	La
RT3020	Practicum III	7		7 wks