Pre-Respiratory Therapy Concentration

Respiratory therapists specialize in treating patients who face challenges with breathing and cardiopulmonary conditions. They’re a vital part of healthcare teams that care for individuals across all stages of life, addressing concerns such as:
- Asthma
- COPD
- Pneumonia
- Sleep apnea
- Cases requiring ventilator support
Respiratory therapists are in higher demand than ever, and Butler students interested in the field begin with a Health Sciences major and choose the Pre-Respiratory Therapy concentration. This track ensures you complete the full year of prerequisite coursework needed before applying to Butler’s Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program set to launch in 2027*. You’ll take hands-on science courses your first year in state-of-the-art labs and learn the skills needed to become a uniquely specialized healthcare professional.
By the time you apply to enter the Respiratory Therapy program and complete your interviews for admission, you’ll already have the academic preparation and support necessary to transition smoothly into the major. While acceptance to the Respiratory Therapy major is competitive, those who are Butler students and who fulfill the required prerequisites here are guaranteed an interview for the program.
Once accepted to the three-year Respiratory Therapy program, you’ll begin practicing real procedures through advanced simulation training using high-fidelity mannequins and ventilators. You’ll begin clinical rotations and gain experience in Indianapolis’ healthcare corridor, home to institutions such as:
- Ascension St. Vincent and Peyton Manning’s Children’s Hospital
- Community Health Network
- Indiana University Health
- Eskenazi Health
- Franciscan Health
- Riley Children’s Hospital
You’ll train to enter one of the fastest-growing healthcare fields with job stability, a competitive salary, and the flexibility to work in a wide variety of healthcare contexts.
The Health Sciences: Pre-Respiratory Therapy concentration gives you the foundation you need to step into your professional career with confidence.
*Butler is currently in the process of seeking CoARC accreditation for a respiratory care program. However, Butler can provide no assurance that accreditation will be granted by the CoARC.
Students entering from high school must meet the following requirements to select the Health Sciences major and Pre-Respiratory Therapy (Pre-RT) concentration:
- 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
External students who still need to meet the prerequisites for the three-year Respiratory Therapy program may also enter the Pre-RT concentration. Once they’ve completed the courses required for the Pre-RT concentration, complete the application and interview admission requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program, they may begin the three-year program in fall 2027.
More information about Butler admission requirements, deadlines, and other important information can be found on the Office of Admission website.
Why choose a Pre-RT concentration?
- The American Association for Respiratory Care has indicated its desire for all respiratory therapists to hold at least a bachelor’s degree by 2030. The Pre-RT track at Butler paves the way to a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy, a program which aligns with the broader trajectory of the industry.
- Butler Pre-RT students who have met the prerequisites are at an advantage in the Respiratory Therapy major admission process because they are guaranteed an interview.
- If you find that respiratory therapy isn’t the field for you or if you are not admitted into Butler’s Respiratory Therapy program, you can still continue for four more semesters as a Health Sciences: Pre-RT concentration to apply again, or continue as a Health Sciences major with a different concentration. You may also switch your major and work with your academic advisor to select the path that’s right for you.
Fall Semester
- Chemistry for Respiratory Therapists with lab or equivalent
- Anatomy and Physiology 1 with lab or equivalent
- Medical Terminology or equivalent
- First Year Seminar (Core)
- Statistically Speaking or equivalent or Elementary Statistics (Core) or equivalent
- Well Being (Core) or equivalent
Spring Semester
- Microbiology with lab or equivalent
- Anatomy and Physiology 2 with lab or equivalent
- First Year Seminar (Core)
- Psychological Inquiry (Core) or equivalent
- Perspectives in the Creative Arts (Core)

Known for excellence in undergraduate education, our faculty is dedicated to students’ personal success—delivering high quality, whole-person patient care and emphasizing team-based healthcare.
Christy Kane, PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, AE-C, FAARC
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences