Admission

Respiratory Therapy Program Pathways

Admission to the Respiratory Therapy program varies based on whether you’re applying directly from high school or transferring with prior coursework. 

If you are a high school student or have started—but not yet completed—college level prerequisite coursework for a Respiratory Therapy degree, you can enter Butler University as a Pre-Respiratory Therapy major.

If you are a prospective transfer student or a Butler student with the necessary prerequisites applying into the three-year professional phase of the program, proceed to the Respiratory Therapy Professional Phase section below.

Pre-Respiratory Therapy 

Students admitted directly from high school begin as a Pre-Respiratory Therapy (Pre-RT) major, completing the prerequisites needed for direct entry into the Respiratory Therapy major. 

Students from high school must meet the following requirements:

• Completed Common App to the University, with Pre-RT as the selected major
• Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.25 weighted (or 3.0 unweighted)
• Successful completion of the following high school coursework:
  • English: 4 years
  • Mathematics: 3 years; 4 years preferred
  • Pre-calculus preferred
  • Statistics preferred
  • Laboratory Science: 3 years; 4 years preferred
  • Biology required
  • Chemistry required
  • Social Studies/History: 3 years
  • World Language: 2 years of the same language preferred

More information about Butler admission requirements, deadlines, and other important information can be found on the Admission website.

Butler Pre-RT majors and internal transfer students who are on track to fulfill the required prerequisites are guaranteed an interview for the professional phase of Butler’s Respiratory Therapy program. Pre-RT majors get the advantage of direct entry into the Respiratory Therapy professional phase if they meet the program criteria. This phase includes advanced coursework and hands-on clinical experience, and while admission to the major is competitive, each applicant will be carefully considered based on their academic performance and readiness for the program.

Respiratory Therapy Professional Phase

Admission Requirements 

Admission to the professional phase of Butler University’s Respiratory Therapy (RT) Program is competitive. Applicants are reviewed holistically based on academic achievement, readiness for the program, and potential for success in the profession. 

1. Admission to Butler University

Applicants must first be admitted to Butler University and in good standing. 

2. Academic Prerequisites

The professional phase of the Respiratory Therapy Program combines classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, and clinical education to prepare students for excellence in patient care.

To be considered for admission, students must:

• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.6.
• Earn a grade of C or higher in all required math and science prerequisite courses.
• Complete at least five of the seven prerequisite courses listed below, including both Anatomy and Physiology courses, before beginning the professional phase of the program.

Pre-matriculation Required Courses

1. Chemistry with Lab (4 credit hours)
2. Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab (3 credit hours)
3. Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab (3 credit hours)
4. Statistics or equivalent (3 credit hours)
5. Microbiology with Lab (4 credit hours)
6. Introductory Psychology or equivalent (3 credit hours)
7. Medical Terminology or equivalent

Conditional Admission

Students who have not completed at least five of the seven required courses at the time of application may be considered for conditional admission.

A student is eligible for conditional admission when:

• The student is enrolled in a minimum of three of the seven required courses.
• The student has earned a grade of C or higher in all required math and science courses.
• The student has a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.6.

Full Admission

A student is eligible for full admission when:

• At least five of the seven required courses have been completed, including Anatomy and Physiology I and II.
• Official transcripts have been received by Butler University.
• The student has earned a grade of C or higher in all required math and science courses.
• The student has a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.6.

Students who have not completed all seven required courses at the time of admission will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Any remaining required course must be completed before the start of the second professional year in the program. The student understands that these classes may need to be taken during the summer semester.

Transcript Deadlines

• Transcripts for admission review must be submitted by January 15 of the year in which the student is seeking admission.
• Final official transcripts must be received by Butler University no later than one day before the start of the fall semester.

3. English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency and submit documentation to the Office of Admission. Minimum proficiency requirements can be met through any of the examinations or testing systems listed on Butler University’s English Proficiency Requirements webpage.

4. Interview Requirement

All applicants are required to complete a personal interview.

Butler University Pre-Respiratory Therapy (Pre-RT) students who meet all program admission criteria are guaranteed an interview.

5. Immunization and Clinical Compliance Requirements

Healthcare facilities increasingly require healthcare workers and students to be vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases to help protect patients, healthcare personnel, and the communities they serve.

Students admitted to the Respiratory Therapy Program must comply with all University, College of Health Professions (CHP), Respiratory Therapy Program, and clinical agency immunization and clinical compliance requirements. Students may request a medical or religious exemption through the CHP’s established exemption process.

Students are responsible for all costs associated with:

• Required immunizations
• Laboratory testing
• Background checks
• Clinical compliance documentation

Commitment to Student Success

The Respiratory Therapy Program is committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment. The program seeks students who demonstrate excellence in leadership, service, scholarship, communication, intellectual curiosity, and interpersonal skills.rapy program is committed to inclusion. The program seeks students who excel in the areas of leadership, service, scholarship, communication, intellectual capacity, and interpersonal skills.

You can learn more about internal and external transfer admission to Butler on the Admission website.

To learn more about applying to Butler, select your student type below.

• Applying to Butler as a First-Year Student
• Applying to Butler as a Transfer Student
• Applying to Butler as an International Student

Cost and Financial Information

Frequently Asked Questions