Application Process
The Respiratory Therapy Program at Grossmont College accepts a limited number of students each year as dictated by staffing, laboratory and instrumentation availability, and the number of clinical sites available for student assignment.
To apply to the Respiratory Therapy Program, the following steps must be taken:
Complete the following prerequisite courses with a "C" grade or higher. A&P or Microbiology must be within seven years of applying to the program.
1. Anatomy & Physiology with labs (Biology 140, 141 & 141L or Biology 144 & 145 or equivalent): 8 units
2. Fundamentals of or Chemistry (Chemistry 115 or equivalent, or one year of High School Chemistry): 4 units
3. Microbiology with lab (Biology 152 or equivalent)
Effective fall 2015, Microbiology must be completed prior to applying to the program.
Complete the Respiratory Therapy Program Application and submit the following in person with the application.
1. One (1) set of official college transcripts for all college credit earned. (When you apply to the program you need to also apply to Grossmont College and send official college transcripts for all college credit earned directly to the Respiratory Therapy Office, Building 34 Office 256at Grossmont College: 8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon, CA 92020). If your pre-requisites have been completed at Grossmont-Cuyamaca Colleges, an official transcript is not required of the student, as that information is accessible to the program staff. In addition, for each pre-requisite not listed on the
Equivalency Grid of San Diego Area Community College, please include a copy of the course description copied out the appropriate college catalog from the year you took the course. A syllabus may be requested if course description is not sufficient.
**If you have documents that are required to enter our program that were completed out of the country, you will need to have them evaluated by National Association Credential Evaluations Services
On the home page Click “How to Find a Member”. You’ll be able to scroll to see a list of all current NACES members which Grossmont & Cuyamaca have begun accepting foreign credential reports from, beginning July 1, 2017. You will also notice at below current member is a list of former member which we will not accept.
2. Proof of the following completed immunizations:
- MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) or a test for positive immunity
- Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, accelular pertussis), within the last 10 years
- Hep B (Hepatitis B), 3 vaccinations and a test for positive immunity
- Varicella (Chickenpox), 2 vaccinations or a test for positive immunity.
- COVID-19 Initial vaccination Plus Booster.
(The Hepatitis B series and test for immunity takes approximately 7-8 months to complete. Please plan accordingly. 3 doses at 0, 1, 6 months. Sero 30 days after 3rd round.)
3. Proof of High School diploma, GED or higher degree
Applications must be submitted in person to the Grossmont College Respiratory Therapy Health Professions Office in the Health & Sciences Complex, Building 34, Room 256. If you live outside of San Diego County you may mail in your completed application. Please write "Attention: RT Program" on the front of your envelope.
Grossmont College Respiratory Therapy Program
Building 34, Room 256
8800 Grossmont College Drive
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 644-7550 Office
Applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Incomplete applications will be not accepted.
Once you have been officially invited and have accepted a seat into the Respiratory Therapy Program you will be given further instruction and deadlines on the following:
- Complete all admission requirements according to the Grossmont College catalog. www.grossmont.edu
- A satisfactory physical examination report, a current negative TB (Tuberculosis) test or clear chest xray from a previous positive test, current American Heart Association CPR for Healthcare Providers card and evidence of malpractice insurance. Background check and drug testing is required prior to entering the RT Program.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend one of the free Respiratory Therapy Program Preview Informational Meetings held monthly during the Academic year. More information on the times and dates of our program preview meetings can be found on our Respiratory Therapy Home Page. Applicants who are currently enrolled at Grossmont or Cuyamaca College are also encouraged to meet with an Academic counselor in the Counseling Office, at 619-644-7208, to discuss your general education requirements to receive your AS Degree upon completing your 2-year Respiratory Therapy Program. The RT Department does not advise students on degree status, or if additional units are necessary for your AS Degree. We must refer you to counseling for this service.
Applications are accepted all year and there is no fee to submit your application.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the all official transcripts for previous education has been received by the Admissions & Records office.