The Pre-Cardio-Respiratory Care Program provides an excellent academic foundation for applicants to the Cardio-Respiratory Care Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
Applicants for the UAMS program must complete 58 semester credit hours of courses through a pre-professional, general education curriculum before they are admitted into the professional curriculum at UAMS.
Complete program information can be found online at: https://healthprofessions.uams.edu/programs/respiratorycare/
If you have questions regarding the UAMS program, please call 501-526-4490 or email chpadmissions@uams.edu
UAMS Application Procedure
To qualify for consideration for admission to the Cardio-Respiratory Care program, the applicant must:
- Submit an application to the UAMS College of Health Professions (online)
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges /universities attended
- Complete a professional observation (arranged after receipt of the application).
- Schedule an interview with program faculty following the professional observation.
- Complete all prerequisite courses before the start of the Cardio-Respiratory Care program each fall.
Application Deadline: All application materials must be postmarked by May 1. If the deadline has passed, please contact the Department of Respiratory Care (501-526-4490). Early applications are encouraged. Early admission is possible for highly qualified students. Documentation of all previous college work, including the prerequisite courses, must be provided in the form of official transcripts* Transcripts provided or delivered by the applicant will not be accepted. The most qualified applicants will be invited for an interview.
*Have official transcripts sent to:
UAMS College of Health Professions
Attention: Admissions
4301 W. Markham Street #619
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
Class Size and Selection: A maximum class of 20 students may be selected to begin the program each fall.
Admissions Criteria: Admission to the Cardio-Respiratory Care program is competitive and based on the following factors:
- Academic achievement in math and science
- Overall academic achievement
- Leadership and professionalism
- Written and oral communication
The most qualified applicants will be invited for an interview. Interviews are held after the application has been received and the professional observation has been documented. Early applications are encouraged. Early admission is possible for highly qualified students. Applicants selected for enrollment will receive notification within a few weeks after interviews are held.
Selected applicants are required to complete a criminal background check and drug test. Licensure in Arkansas also requires a state and federal criminal background check.
Post Graduate Credentialing and Licensure: Graduates of the Bachelor of Science degree program are eligible to apply for the Entry-Level Practitioner Examination and the Advanced Practitioner Examination offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). Successful candidates earn the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials. Successful completion of this program does not itself insure certification or registration.
Required Prerequisite Courses
|
Area/Typical Course Title |
Minimum Credits |
| ENGLISH/COMMUNICATIONS | |
| Two-semester sequence of English Composition |
6 |
| Fundamentals of Speech or Speech Communication |
3 |
| MATHEMATICS | |
| College Algebra (or higher-level Mathematics) |
3 |
| Applied Statistics (or equivalent course in research methodology) |
3 |
| SCIENCE*** | |
| Two-semester sequence of Anatomy and Physiology with laboratories*** |
8 |
| Microbiology with laboratory |
4 |
| Chemistry with laboratory |
4 |
| FINE ARTS/HUMANITIES | |
| Music, Art, Theater |
3 |
| Philosophy, Political Science, Literature, or Humanities |
3 |
| SOCIAL SCIENCES | |
| History of the United States or National Government |
3 |
| General Psychology |
3 |
| Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
| ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS | |
| Medical Terminology**** |
1 |
| Lower Level Electives |
11 |
| Total Credits |
58 |
***All science courses (Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, and Microbiology) must include laboratory sections. A course graded of “C” or higher must be achieved to satisfy program prerequisite and core curriculum requirements.
Student Profile
The UAMS Cardio-Respiratory Care students represent a diverse group of traditional and non-traditional students.
- Average GPA — 3.28
- Average age — 26 (range 19-42)
- Black/African American — 37.04%
- Hispanic — 18.52%
- White — 37.04%
- Two or More Races — 3.7%
- Not Specified or Unknown — 3.7%
- Females — 74.07%
- Males — 25.93%.
- Students receiving financial aid — 89%
General Information and Advice
- Individual advising is available by contacting the Cardio-Respiratory Care program directly at 501-526-4490.
- Application to the UAMS Cardio-Respiratory Care program is a selective process. Proper planning BEFORE the application process will improve your likelihood of admission.
- If all application materials are received before May 1st, early admission may be extended.
- A 2.50 GPA is considered the minimum criteria. Higher GPAs are more competitive. A GPA at 3.4 or above is highly competitive.
- The Cardio-Respiratory Care program confers a SCIENCE degree. Math and Science courses are very important. Students who have carried higher academic loads (12 or more hours per semester) perform better and typically have higher application scores.
- Applicants with similar GPAs are differentiated by their performance in the science courses. Core social science courses are also important (interpersonal skills). Electives have marginal impact. Students should take electives that are of personal interest. Applicants with upper level science and math courses receive additional points on the application scores.
- Demonstrated professionalism, critical thinking and communication skills are desired and are the focus of the interview process. The interview can impact a candidate’s admission.
- Most qualified applicants are admitted on the first attempt.
- A part-time track is sometimes available for selected students. This can be discussed with the faculty during the interview.