Admissions Policies and Procedures
The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans (LSUHSC-NO) School of Allied Health Professions (SAHP) embraces justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) for faculty, staff, and students. JEDI are critical for eliminating health disparities and improving health care. The school’s commitment to JEDI leads to respect for everyone, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, age, socioeconomic status, physical ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, political belief, or other ideologies. Faculty, staff, and students of the SAHP bring their unique perspectives to help develop a culture of mutual respect, and cultural humility that enriches all.
Policies
The Department of Cardiopulmonary Science Admissions Committee consists of all full-time departmental faculty. The admissions committee sets the requirements, establishes the weighted importance of each requirement, and collaborates on procedures for all phases of the admissions process. The admissions committee makes all decisions on acceptance, which are final, and are based on the following perceptions of the applicant: 1) Ability to succeed academically in the program, (2) knowledge of the profession, (3) motivation to work in the chosen profession, and (4) emotional maturity.
Applicants must apply to either the respiratory therapy or cardiovascular sonography track. Applicants must pass all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better and have a prerequisite grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 to be eligible for admission. The department does not factor in pluses or minuses when assigning quality points to grades. Applicants who have successfully completed all prerequisite courses (see Appendix A) are eligible for unconditional acceptance. Provisional acceptance may be granted to applicants who are currently enrolled in final prerequisite courses or in unusual circumstances, who are missing one or more prerequisite courses. Applicants receiving provisional acceptance but who are missing one or more prerequisite courses must complete those courses at an accredited college or university prior to beginning the final semester of the program.
Definitions and Terms
Provisional acceptance: Acceptance that is dependent upon completion of all requirements for admission, including completion of prerequisite courses, which may be in progress or not yet attempted.
Rolling admission: Review of applications with possible acceptance for admission as applications are submitted.
Unconditional acceptance: The applicant has met all requirements for admission.
Virtual interview: An interview, via Zoom, granted to an applicant who is unable to attend an in-person interview date. Virtual interviews are granted on a case-by-case basis for good cause, usually for applicants who live out of the state.
Wait list: Granted to applicants who may be offered acceptance if seats become available.
Timelines
The Department of Cardiopulmonary Science has a rolling admission policy, accepting applications for admission between September 7 and February 1. Particularly strong applicants may be interviewed and notified of acceptance prior to the February 1 deadline. Applicants who appear unlikely to receive immediate acceptance but who merit an interview will be contacted to schedule the interview after February 1. Interviews typically occur during the month of February, and admission decision letters are sent via email immediately thereafter.
Procedures
Phase 1 - Application Phase
All applicants must use the Allied Health Centralized Application Service (AHCAS) to apply for admission to both the respiratory therapy and cardiovascular sonography programs (see Appendix B). The cost of an application is $95. A personal statement as well as official transcripts from all schools attended must be included as part of the application. Letters of recommendation are encouraged but not required. The application cycle begins Sept. 7 and ends February 1.
The Department of Cardiopulmonary Science will monitor AHCAS and respond to applicants once an application has been submitted. The initial goal will be to ensure that an applicant has met the prerequisite requirements or will do so by the end of the spring semester. The departmental admissions committee will decide whether an applicant is a candidate for an interview. Applicants who are deemed to be particularly strong, based on GPA and personal statement, will receive an interview (see Phase II below) request and are eligible for immediate unconditional or provisional acceptance. Other eligible applicants may receive an immediate interview request but will not receive an admission decision until all interviews are completed.
Out-of-state applicants are welcome to apply.
Phase II - Applicant Interviews Phase
After February 1, all eligible applicants who are deemed to have a competitive GPA are contacted for an interview. Interviews are conducted by the departmental admissions committee as a group with each individual applicant. Each member of the committee will complete an admissions rubric based on the applicant’s GPA, personal statement, and interview. A set list of interview questions that corresponds with the admissions rubric will be utilized.
Out-of-state applicants will be permitted to receive a virtual interview via Zoom should they desire to do so.
Phase III - Admission Decision and Notification Phase
Admission decisions are determined by the departmental admissions committee. Particularly strong applicants will be notified immediately via email of their unconditional or provisional acceptance. All other accepted applicants will be notified via email upon the completion of all interviews, typically in February or early March. Wait list and denial letters will be sent via email at that time as well.
Accepted applicants who plan to matriculate must return an acceptance form within 3 weeks indicating their desire to attend LSUHSC-NO along with a $50 deposit, which will be directed toward payment of tuition. In addition, the applicant must certify that they are able to perform all technical standards (see link in Appendix B).
Transfer Credit
The respiratory therapy and cardiovascular sonography programs will accept transfer of coursework taken by an applicant in any other accredited college or university. The courses for which students receive transfer credit are the prerequisite courses that are required for admission into either program (Appendix A). In addition, applicants who hold a registry credential in either respiratory therapy (RRT) or vascular technology (RVT or RVS) and wish to attain a Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science may complete the associated track and be exempted from courses that are directly related to the held credential (see Appendix C). Required coursework must be completed in not more than four years. For respiratory therapy students, this curriculum track is only accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and not by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
Deferment
An applicant who has been accepted but is unable to matriculate may request a deferment until the start of the following year’s class. In many cases, a deferment will be granted. However, the applicant is not guaranteed admission the following year and may be asked to reapply. Decisions on deferment are made by the departmental admissions committee.
Leave of Absence
An enrolled student may take a leave of absence for medical or other personal reasons. If the absence is sufficiently long that course requirements cannot be completed prior to the subsequent semester, the student must withdraw and re-enroll the following year at the beginning of the affected semester.
Time Limit for Program Completion
All students must complete the program in 4 years or less.
Appendix A
Prerequisite Courses
|
Prerequisite Courses
|
Semester Hours
|
|
English Composition
|
6
|
|
Humanities*
|
9
|
|
Chemistry (General and Laboratory)
|
8
|
|
Mathematics (Algebra and Trigonometry)
|
6
|
|
Biology (General and Laboratory)
|
8
|
|
Human Physiology**
|
3
|
|
Science Elective***
|
3
|
|
Psychology (General)
|
3
|
|
Physics (General and Laboratory)
|
4
|
|
Microbiology (Introductory and Laboratory)
|
4
|
|
Art Elective****
|
3
|
|
Sociology
|
3
|
|
Subtotal
|
60
|
*Humanities recommended: English, Technical Writing, Advanced Composition, or Foreign Language
**If Human Physiology is not offered, Human Anatomy & Physiology may be substituted
***Science Electives recommended: Human Anatomy, Organic Chemistry, or Embryology
****Art Electives recommended: Music, Art, Dance, or Theater
Appendix B
Application Requirements
The Department of Cardiopulmonary Science has a rolling admission policy, accepting applications for admission between September 7 and February 1. Particularly strong applicants may be interviewed and notified of acceptance prior to the February 1 deadline. Applicants who appear unlikely to receive immediate acceptance but who merit an interview will be contacted to schedule the interview after February 1. Interviews typically occur during the month of February, and admission decision letters are sent via email immediately thereafter.
Online Application
- Both the respiratory therapy and cardiovascular sonography programs use the Allied Health Centralized Application Service (AHCAS; https://ahcas.liaisoncas.com/) in their application process.
- Only completed and verified applications will be considered. Transcripts should be submitted to AHCAS 4 weeks before the application deadline to allow time for verification. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor the application’s progress and ensure it is completed and verified by the deadline.
Timeline for Application
The application deadline for the class beginning in May of each year is February 1.
If a class is not filled, the AHCAS application portal may be reopened to accept a late application. If you require assistance filling out the application, please contact the Office of Disability Services at ods@lsuhsc.edu or at (504) 568-2211.
Cardiopulmonary Science Admission Requirements in Addition to the Application
- Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 (in a 4.0 system) for all prerequisite courses and successful passing of all prerequisite courses with a grade of C or better. Plusses and minuses are not factored into quality point calculations.
- In-person interview at LSU Health Sciences Center
The Department of Cardiopulmonary Science Admissions Committee consists of all full-time departmental faculty. The admissions committee makes all decisions on acceptance, which are final, and are based on the following perceptions of the applicant: 1) Ability to succeed academically in the program, (2) knowledge of the profession, (3) motivation to work in the chosen profession, and (4) emotional maturity.
Other Information
Link to tuition and fees: https://www.lsuhsc.edu/tuition/alliedhealth.aspx
Link to technical standards: https://alliedhealth.lsuhsc.edu/cp/technicalstandards.aspx
Link to information sessions: https://alliedhealth.lsuhsc.edu/cp/cpsinformationsession.aspx
Available student work positions can be found here.
For additional information regarding:
LSUHSC’s diversity policy, ESL/TOEFL, background checks, student health requirements, readmission and leave of absence policy please refer to our Student Handbook. For information on the Louisiana Higher Education Foreign Security Act Screening click here.
Admissions Coordinator Contact Information
Please feel free to contact the department should you have questions or concerns.
John Zamjahn, Ph.D.
Professor of Clinical Cardiopulmonary Science
Phone: (504) 568-4228
E-mail: jzamja@lsuhsc.edu
Appendix C
Transition from Registry Credential to Bachelor of Science
Required RRT to BS Track
Cardiopulmonary Human Gross Anatomy (CPSC 3130) 4 credits
Cardiopulmonary Physiology (CPSC 3220) 3 credits
Patient Assessment (CPSC 3270) 3 credits
Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology (CPSC 3280) 3 credits
Principles of Cardiac Electrophysiology (CPSC 3290) 2 credits
Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology (CPSC 3210) 1 credit
Advanced Pulmonary Pathophysiology (CPSC 3370) 1 credit
Health Care Management (CPSC 4205) 1 credit
Pulmonary Diagnostic Tests (CPSC 4225) 2 credits
Advanced Topics in Respiratory Therapy (CPSC 4325) 2 credits
Clinical Inquiry (CPSC 4380) 1 credit
Geriatric Respiratory Care (CPSC 4115) 1 credit
Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Home Care (CPSC 4215) 2 credits
Polysomnography (CPSC 4310) 3 credits
Respiratory Clinics V (CPSC 4320) 4 credits
Required RVT or RVS to BS Track
Cardiopulmonary Human Gross Anatomy (CPSC 3130) 4 credits
Cardiopulmonary Physiology (CPSC 3220) 3 credits
Patient Assessment (CPSC 3270) 3 credits
Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology (CPSC 3280) 3 credits
Clinical Echocardiography I (CPSC 3282) 4 credits
Principles of Cardiac Electrophysiology (CPSC 3290) 2 credits
Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology (CPSC 3210) 1 credit
Clinical Echocardiography II (CPSC 3382) 2 credits
Echocardiography Clinics I (CPSC 3388) 6 credits
Echocardiography Clinics II (CPSC 4185) 3 credits
Health Care Management (CPSC 4205) 1 credit
Echocardiography Clinics III (CPSC 4265) 4 credits
Echocardiographic Interpretation (CPSC 4295) 2 credits
Cardiovascular Registry Review (CPSC 4340) 2 credits
Echocardiography Clinics IV (CPSC 4360) 4 credits
Pediatric Echocardiography (CPSC 4370) 1 credit
Clinical Inquiry (CPSC 4380) 1 credit
Technical Standards
In addition to proven academic ability and other relevant personal characteristics, the Department of Cardiopulmonary Science expects all applicants for admission to possess and be able to demonstrate the skills, attributes, and qualities set forth below, without unreasonable dependence on technology or intermediaries.
Physical Health - A cardiopulmonary science student must possess the physical health and stamina needed to carry out the program of health care education.
Intellectual Skills - A cardiopulmonary science student must have sufficient powers of intellect to acquire, assimilate, integrate, and apply information. A cardiopulmonary science student must have the intellectual ability to solve problems. A cardiopulmonary science student must possess the ability to comprehend three dimensional and spatial relationships.
Motor Skills - A cardiopulmonary science student must have sufficient use of motor skills to carry out all necessary procedures, both those involved in learning the fundamental sciences and those required in the hospital and clinical environment. This includes the ability to participate in relevant educational exercises and to extract information from written sources.
Communication - A cardiopulmonary science student must have sufficient use of the senses of speech, hearing, and vision to communicate effectively with patients, teachers, and peers in both oral and written forms.
Sensory Abilities - A cardiopulmonary science student must have sufficient use of the senses of vision, hearing, touch, and smell to observe effectively in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical setting. Students must possess the ability to observe both close at hand and at a distance.
Behavioral Qualities - A cardiopulmonary science student must possess emotional health sufficient to carry out the tasks above; and must have good judgment, and must behave in a professional, reliable, mature, and responsible manner. A cardiopulmonary science student must be adaptable, possessing sufficient flexibility to function in new and stressful environments. A cardiopulmonary science student must possess appropriate motivation, integrity, compassion, and a genuine interest in caring for others.
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