Important Reminders for Prospective Students

All students must fulfill clinical requirements as stipulated by the Director of Clinical Education.  Full-day clinical sessions (8-hour shifts) occur during the fall-spring intersession (December/January) of the first year, and during the entire five-week second summer session between the first and second years of the Program. Other partial-day clinical sessions run during regularly scheduled class sessions in the fall and spring semester of the second year of the Program. Although most clinical sessions are scheduled during the day, students may be scheduled for clinical rotations during day, evening, or night shifts at the discretion of the Director of Clinical Education. Prospective students are reminded that they must be available to attend all such required clinical sessions, and that they must provide their own transportation to and from such clinical rotations, which are held off campus at local affiliating institutions.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Respiratory Care Program the following are required:

1. Academic Performance:
   The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate an aptitude in science and mathematics. The following is required: Upper 50% of high school class, or, if applying with previous college work, a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 with a minimum grade of “C” in each prerequisite course in math, biology and chemistry.
2. Prerequisite courses:
   1. Two years of pre-college math. (Students may substitute MAT 109 at NCC or other course as approved by the Program Director.)
   2. High school biology and chemistry (or their college equivalents such as BIO 101 and CHE 107; AHS 131 or its equivalent may be used to fulfill the biology prerequisite).
   3. All remedial courses as determined by the NCC placement exam given through the College Admissions Office must be completed prior to beginning the Program. Placement into remedial course(s) removes applicant for current Program entry.
3. Observation Experience & AARC Career Video
   To ensure a realistic understanding of what the profession is like, candidates must visit and observe an acute care hospital respiratory care department, including observation of professional duties in both critical care and non-critical care environments. Any general acute care hospital of the candidate’s choice may be used for such observation. Candidates must make an appointment for such visitation by contacting the Technical Director or a manager of Respiratory Care at the hospital selected. The observation experience must be documented in writing on the Observation Experience Documentation Form and must be submitted in hard copy to Admissions along with the NCC application (new students) or along with the Respiratory Care Program Transfer application (current students). At the time of their personal interview, eligible candidates must also verify that they have viewed the American Association for Respiratory Care’s “Life and Breath” career video available at the AARC’s website.
4. Technical Standards
   All individuals admitted to the Program must be capable of meeting the Program’s published Technical Standards.
5. Background Checks
   Students who are conditionally accepted into the Program must obtain and pass an approved criminal background check prior to final acceptance. The cost of the authorized background check is the sole responsibility of the applicant, and cannot be reimbursed by the Program or College. (Policy on Mandatory Criminal Background Checks for Candidates for Admission) 

New students are admitted into the day division only in the fall semester of each year. Respiratory Care is not offered in the evening. If accepted into the Program, students must successfully complete MAT 109 (or its equivalent) and ENG 101 or ENG 108 (or their equivalents) prior to attendance in the fall.

Change of Program Applicants

An application requesting transfer from other majors at Nassau Community College into the Respiratory Care Program is available online. Completed applications must be submitted, via email, to Patricia.Goodwin@ncc.edu. It is strongly recommended that interested candidates meet with an advisor of the Respiratory Care Program as soon as possible to discuss future course selection. An interview with the Respiratory Care Program Admissions Committee will be scheduled during the spring semester for eligible candidates.

New Applicants

An application for admission to Nassau Community College is available in the Admissions Office and online.  An interview with the Respiratory Care Program Admissions Committee will be scheduled during the spring semester for eligible candidates once the application is complete.

Advanced Standing & Professional Course Transfer

he Respiratory Care Program at Nassau Community College does not automatically accept Respiratory Care courses and/or credits from other Respiratory Care programs as an NCC Respiratory Care Program professional course equivalent, or offer transfer students automatic “advanced” Program standing for coursework completed at other institutions or for holding the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential.

Credit for professional respiratory care courses recently and successfully completed at other fully accredited respiratory care programs may be transferrable for first year NCC Respiratory Care Program courses which are deemed substantially equivalent by the Admission Committee. Policy on Professional Course Transfer & Advanced Standing

Academic Performance

Students in the Respiratory Care Program must maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average. In addition, they must receive a grade of "C" or better in all core courses and in each individual segment of the Program (i.e., lecture, laboratory, and clinical).