Apply to Grossmont College

• Visit the Admissions & Records website for application instructions
• Complete the application through OpenCCC
  (you will be prompted to sign in or create a California Community Colleges student account).
• You will receive a student ID number (required for the RT application)
• If accepted into the Respiratory Therapy program, you must reapply to Grossmont College to activate your student status

 

 

Prepare to Apply to the RT Program

Before applying to the Respiratory Therapy Program, applicants must complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better. Anatomy, physiology, and microbiology courses must have been completed within the last 10 years.

Required Prerequisite Courses

• Anatomy & Physiology with labs
  (BIO-140, 141 & 141L OR BIO 144 & 145 or equivalent):
  8 units 
• Microbiology with Lab
  (BIO-152 or equivalent):
  8 units 
  
  

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Additional Requirements

• Courses must be completed at a regionally accredited institution.
• Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member. Please visit the NACES website for additional information.
• Courses must match the required course numbers listed above or be approved equivalents from another college.
• Grades below a “C” will not be accepted.
• Pass/No Pass and Credit/No Credit grading options are not accepted for prerequisite courses.
• All science courses must include a lab component. In-person labs are strongly recommended.
• Anatomy, physiology, and microbiology courses must have been completed within the last 10 years prior to applying.
• Applicants may not repeat more than one prerequisite science course within the 10-year requirement period. Withdrawals (“W”) count as attempts.
• Switching from the separate Anatomy and Physiology sequence (BIO 140, 141 & 141L) to the combined sequence (BIO 144 & 145) counts as course repetition.
• Excused Withdrawals (“EW”) related to COVID-19 will not count as attempts.
• Online science labs are accepted only for courses completed between January 2020 and June 2021 due to COVID-19 accommodations.
• All prerequisite science courses must be fully completed before submitting an RT program application.

 

 

Clinical Requirements & Screening

Immunizations, Background Check, & Drug Screening

Immunization Requirements

Proof of the following immunizations and screenings may be required for clinical placement:

• MMR: Measles, Mumps & Rubella
• Hepatitis B
• Tdap (within the past 10 years)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
• COVID-19
• TB screening/testing

Clinical requirements may change based on healthcare facility requirements.

 

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Background Check & Drug Screening

Background checks and drug screenings are required for clinical placement and program participation.

Results may affect eligibility for:

• Clinical placement
• California state licensure
• NBRC credentialing examinations
• Employment

Note: Clinical agencies and employers may review criminal background history as part of placement and hiring requirements.

 

 

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Licensure & Eligibility Notice

Individuals considering entering or currently enrolled in the Respiratory Therapy Program who have concerns regarding criminal history, background checks, or licensure eligibility are encouraged to contact the Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB) and the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) for additional guidance prior to applying or continuing in the program.

 

Failure to pass required background check or drug screening procedures may interfere with clinical placement opportunities and may affect eligibility for licensure, credentialing examinations, or employment.

 

 

 

 

Apply to the RT Program

 Application, Documentation & Waitlist Information

Application Process

• Applications are accepted year-round once all prerequisite requirements have been completed.

• Qualified applicants are placed on the RT program waitlist after application materials and supporting documentation have been reviewed and verified.

Apply to RT

 

 

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Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit:

• Completed RT Program application
• Proof of high school graduation, GED, or higher degree
• Transcripts for prerequisite science coursework
• Course descriptions for prerequisites completed outside the approved equivalency grid
• Required immunization documentation

Note: If prerequisite coursework was completed at Grossmont or Cuyamaca College, transcripts may be obtained internally by the RT office.

 

 

 

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Important Applicant Information

• Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Accepting a seat in a Grossmont College Health Professions program may affect placement on other health professions waitlists.
• Additional onboarding, screening, and clinical clearance requirements are required after acceptance into the program. 

 

 

 

Transcript & Equivalency Review

Transfer Coursework & Equivalency Information

Equivalency Review

Students completing prerequisite coursework outside the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District should review the RT Program Equivalency Grid to help determine whether prior coursework may meet prerequisite requirements.

 

RT Program - Region X Community Colleges

2024 - 2026

 

Grossmont	Cuyamaca	Southwestern	SDCCD	Miracosta	Palomar	IVC	SDSU	CSUM
BIO 140, BIO 141 & 141L, BIO 144 & 145, BIO 152	BIO 140, BIO 141 & 141L, BIO 152	BIOL 260, BIOL 261, BIOL 265	BIOL 230 & BIOL 235, BIOL 205	BIO 210, BIO 220, BIO 230	BIOL 210, BIOL 211, BIOL 212	BIOL 204, BIOL 206, BIOL 200 & BIOL 202, BIOL 220	BIOL 212, BIO 261, BIO 211/+	BIOL 175, BIOL 176, BIOL 160
CHEM 102, 115 or higher w/ lab	CHEM 102 or higher w/ lab	CHEM 100 or 102	CHEM 100 & 100L or CHEM 152 & 152L or CHEM 103 (Miramar only)	CHEM 112, 115 or  115H	CHEM 100 or 104	CHEM 100	CHEM 100 or 102	CHEM 105, CHEM 105L
ENGL 120 or ENGL 124 or ESL 122	ENGL 120 or ENGL 124 or ESL 122	ENGL 115 or ENGL 115H or ENGL 116 or ESL 115A	ENG 101 or ENG 105 or ENG 205	ENGL 100 or 100H or ENGL 201 or 201H or ENGL 202 or 202H	ENG 100 or ENG 202 or ENG 203 or ESL 110	ENG 110 or ENG 105 or ENG 201	RWS 100 or LING 100B RWS 200	GEW 101 or LTWR 115
COMM 120 or COMM 122	COMM 120 or COMM 122	COMM 174 or COMM 103 or COMM 104	COMS 135 or COMS 103	COMM 101	SPCH 115 or SPCH 100	COMM 100	COMS 245 or COMM 103	GEO 102 or any CSU A1 course

Note: The Equivalency Grid is intended as an advising tool only and does not guarantee official course equivalency approval.

 

 

 

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Important Notes

• The RT Program does not accept one-semester Anatomy & Physiology courses designed for other allied health programs (example: SWC BIO 190).
• Additional course descriptions or syllabus documentation may be required for equivalency review.
• Foreign transcripts must be evaluated through a NACES-approved evaluation service.
• Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to review prerequisite and degree requirements.
• Every effort has been made to ensure equivalency information is accurate; however, the official college document is the Grossmont College Catalog.

 

 

Important Reminders

• Program communication may occur through email and other official communication methods.
• Applicants should regularly monitor their email, including spam or junk folders, for program updates and communication.
• Applicants are responsible for notifying the RT Program of any changes to their email address or contact information while on the waitlist.