The Bachelor of Science Program in Respiratory Therapy is a 2+2 program, meaning the student completes the first two years at any accredited college or university of choice, and the last two years on Augusta University’s campus. All 2+2 students begin the program fall semester after completing a core curriculum. Augusta University’s program consists of five semesters and includes classroom and clinical education. The percentage of respiratory therapists with higher degrees has increased considerably since 1992. In 2005, nearly one-third of all respiratory therapists had a bachelor’s or graduate degree. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree are highly marketable for lucrative positions. Augusta University graduates are eligible to take national credentialing exams from the National Board for Respiratory Care, leading to designations of certified and registered respiratory therapist, certified and registered pulmonary function technologist and competency recognition as a perinatal/pediatric respiratory care specialist and certified asthma educator. These credentials are recognized nationally and internationally. First-time pass rates for Augusta University graduates are well above the national average.
Students of Augusta University’s Respiratory Therapy Program may obtain a license in Georgia and/or South Carolina after successfully passing the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) examination administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) to obtain the Certified Respiratory Therapist credential which his currently required by both states for entry into practice. The Registered Respiratory Therapist credential requires passing the TMC at the High Cut score and passing the Clinical Simulation Examination. Information regarding these examinations can be found on the NBRC website.
For state licensure please refer to https://medicalboard.georgia.gov/professionals/applications-center/respiratory-care-professional for Georgia residents and https://llr.sc.gov/ for South Carolina residents.
The Augusta University Respiratory Therapy program has been unable to determine Licensure eligibility for other states. For specific information regarding other state licenses, students may visit the following site: https://www.nbrc.org/resources/#state-licensing
Fall Entry: March 1
NOTE: Students may apply to the program while completing coursework (the required/prerequisite courses). FYI: An applicant can be "ACCEPTED - PROVISIONAL" if he/she is in the process of completing required courses during the Interview/Accept phase of the application period. However, all required application materials and documents must be received in order for an application to be considered complete. An admissions decision will be made based on a completed application and the results of the courses in progress or scheduled to be taken. Applications and supporting materials received after the program deadline will only be considered on a space-available basis.
NOTE: Early submission of all application materials is strongly advised.
Campus: Main-Augusta
Program Delivery: Traditional/On-Campus, Hybrid
Standard Admission Requirements
Completed Online Application
Application Fee: $60
GPA: Minimum GPA requirement is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and math/science GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. The overall GPA is calculated on all attempted academic courses, including repeated courses, and on completion of the required core . Multiple attempts of courses are all calculated in the GPA.
*Please note that Augusta University does not use a plus/minus grading system. For the admissions process, applicants' GPAs are re-calculated to align with the grading system at Augusta University.
Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are required from all universities and colleges ever attended. Only in the case of transcripts from international colleges/universities will an official course-by-course transcript evaluation be accepted in lieu of an official transcript. Official transcripts should be sent to Augusta University's Office of Academic Admissions. To remain official, all transcripts must remain in the original, unopened, sealed and stamped/signed envelope from the Registrar's office of the issuing institution. Alternatively, Augusta University will accept official electronic transcripts from the registrar's office at your prior institution. Electronic transcripts should be directed to admissions@augusta.edu.
Transcript/Credential Evaluation of Foreign Transcripts: An official, professional course-by-course evaluation based on official transcripts and documents is required for all foreign educational transcripts and documents from one of the following three credentials evaluation services: Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE). Silny and WES are recommended. Official transcript evaluations based on unofficial transcripts, documents or copies will not fulfill this requirement. International Students
References: Recommendations from two individuals are required. References should be individuals (usually college professors) qualified to assess your prior academic, employment, artistic, research and/or clinical experience and qualifications (as applicable) as well as the applicant’s potential, as an undergraduate student in the field/program selected.
Undergraduate reference forms and letters must be submitted online only. Applicants list names and provide contact information for two individuals as references during the on line application process. Once the application is received by our office, each reference will receive an email directing them to complete the online reference form. The completed reference form will then be forwarded to the Office of Academic Admissions via the online application system, XAP.
Please note: Reference forms will be sent electronically to your selected individuals once your application has been received by the school (usually the following business day). Please be sure to allow enough time for reference forms to be sent AND returned. Applications submitted the last week of the application deadline may not allow enough time for this process.
TOEFL Exam Scores: Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test scores are required for applicants whose first language is not English.
Proof of Lawful Presence: BOR Policy 4.3.4, Verification of Lawful Presence, states that “each University System institution shall verify the lawful presence in the United States of every successfully admitted person applying for resident tuition status”. Any student requesting to be classified as an in-state student must be verified as lawfully present in the U.S. before an in-state classification can be assigned.
NOTE: While every effort is made to maintain this information as current, it may be subject to change. Please check with Augusta University's Office of Academic Admission for recent updates.
NOTE: Applications deferred to another semester are subject to all admission requirements and program requirements in effect for the semester to which they are deferred.
If you would like information on the program listed above, please visit the College of Allied Health Sciences website for Respiratory Therapy.
1. Application Submission
Applications and references can be completed in the application portal.
Application materials and documents (e.g. transcripts, references,transcript evaluations, etc) are submitted directly to and processed through Augusta University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions:
Augusta University
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions
1120 15th Street, Benet House
Augusta, GA 30912
2. Check Status
Applicants can monitor OUA’s receipt and processing of their application and application documents into the Augusta University system using the online status check. Application decisions will not be made until all official documents have been received and processed into the Augusta University’s electronic applicant database system by Augusta University’s OUA.
3. Application Review
The program/academic college for which you are applying will review your application and supporting documents. Interviews will be scheduled and considered, as applicable to individual programs. Taken together, the whole of your application should demonstrate substantial preparation for study in the field for which you are seeking admittance.
4. Decision Notification
Upon evaluation the program/academic college will determine an official decision for your admittance. Official notice of your admission can only come via notification from Augusta University’s Office of Undergraduate Admission.
5. Next Steps After Acceptance
Upon acceptance, please submit your Admissions Acceptance Contract and official final transcripts, if necessary to the address below or electronically to admissions@augusta.edu.
Augusta University
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions
1120 15th Street, Benet House
Augusta, Georgia 30912
Immunizations must be submitted to Student Health prior to enrollment.