The prerequisite requirements are posted here. An academic adviser can help you understand what you need to take prior to applying. Students should also plan on attending an information session to get more specific program details. Information session details can be found on the program home page.

The approximate core class schedule for the first year is Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. The approximate core class schedule for the second year is Mondays, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and clinical schedule: Tuesday & Wednesday or Thursday & Friday, day or night shifts.

In order to get licensed in the State of Oregon as a Registered Respiratory Therapist you will have to provide proof of high school completion. We have determined it is best for us to confirm you have a high school degree (or GED equivalent) at the time of admission so that you do not run into any problems getting licensed after you graduate.

No. For high school completion, you are required to submit an high school transcript showing the graduation date or a GED transcript showing an overall pass score. 

Home-schooled applicants must meet this requirement by completion of the GED test with an overall pass score.

If you will be graduating from high school the same year you are applying, we will accept a letter from your high school stating you are on track to graduate that Spring along with a transcript which shows you are in your last year of high school. In the event you are accepted to the program it will be contingent upon receiving the final transcript showing your high school degree earned. If you are unable to supply this by the date listed in your acceptance letter, your acceptance will be revoked.

Students that received their high school diploma or attended a foreign college institution will need to have the transcripts evaluated by one of our approved credential services, see www.mhcc.edu/internationaltranscript. The evaluated transcript must be submitted by the application deadline for the program. This process should be started very early on. Once you turn in your evaluated transcript from the credential services, our process could take up to six weeks.

No. It is recommended that students plan ahead and do not wait until the last minute to submit transcripts. Exceptions will not be made for application items received after the deadline even if materials were sent via guaranteed rush delivery service. MHCC is not responsible for delayed delivery services or other institutions’ transcript processing timeline.

Applicants may check on their application status in the MyMHCC student portal at the location where they filled out the application under the “Check application status” link.

Students are required to meet all Health and Safety requirements established by affiliate health care facilities and by the College. These requirements include annual training, immunizations, tuberculosis screening, drug and alcohol testing, and criminal background check. Students will be advised of the requirements and timeline for completion upon acceptance into the program. It is the responsibility of the students to provide documentation and maintain currency. Students who are not in compliance will be unable to attend clinical practicum. Please note, this drug screening may also check for prescription drugs that contain amphetamines, barbiturates, opioids, benzodiazepines and marijuana. If you are taking any prescribed medication that may contain these drugs you will need to meet with the program director before completing the drug screen. Even though marijuana use is legal in Oregon and Washington, since it is not legal federally, hospitals and clinical sites will not allow it, and you will fail your drug screen if it shows up. At this time the COVID-19 vaccine is mandatory as clinical sites are not allowing student exemptions, and you cannot successfully complete the program without enough clinical hours.

The mandatory orientation is held for accepted students in late spring / early summer each year. If you have an extenuating circumstance that makes it so you are unable to attend, please reach out to the program faculty beforehand to see if an exception can be made. A “no show, no call” will forfeit your position in the program, and a waitlisted candidate will be given your assigned place in the program.

Graduates of the program are able to sit for the national credentialing examinations administered by the NBRC. The graduates are eligible to take the certification examination for entry level therapist (certified respiratory therapist, CRT), the registry examination for advanced therapists (registered respiratory therapist, RRT) and other specialty credential exams (e.g., certification in pulmonary function technology, CPFT, and neonatal and pediatric specialist, NPS). Examination information can be found at nbrc.org or by contacting them at 913-599-4200. Almost all states require successful completion of the CRT examination as part of the state licenses requirement. Oregon requires successful completion of the NBRC's RRT exam to satisfy the requirements for a regular license in order to practice.