CARDIOPULMONARY SCIENCE
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

Application: Allied Health Centralized Application Service (AHCAS)
Application Deadline: Rolling 
Next Start Date: May 19, 2025

AHCAS: The LSU Health Shreveport BS Cardiopulmonary Science Program accepts applications for admission via the Allied Health Centralized Application Service (AHCAS). Applicants should send all application materials directly to AHCAS. Applicants should NOT send any application documents directly to the Program or LSU Health Shreveport.

Rolling Admissions: It is the intention of the Cardiopulmonary Science Program to capture as many qualified applicants as possible to fulfill the immense local and national demand for professionals trained and credentialed in the cardiopulmonary sciences. With this purpose, the program offers year-around, rolling admission to allow applications to be reviewed as they are sent in (monthly). For each incoming cohort year, it is recommended that applications are completed by February 15 to be considered for admit during the same year.

AHCAS applications will be accepted year around with a monthly interview schedule offered to qualified applicants. The following steps assure priority acceptance into the Cardiopulmonary Science Program:

• Meet minimum qualifications and criteria as outlined below
• Submit a completed application with associated transcripts, etc. to AHCAS
• Complete an interview with the program selection committee

For applicants who meet all qualifications and successfully complete an interview, an acceptance letter will be issued for the current upcoming cohort year. Official intake/program start will occur during late May for the year of entry. For example, an applicant could apply during any month of the year and receive an offer letter for program acceptance, but official start date is late May each year.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY and INCLUSION 

In the School of Allied Health Professions’ admissions and recruitment processes, we pursue diverse cohorts of students in each program to enhance the learning experiences of all of our students, and foster an open and welcoming environment that promotes inclusion, respect, and compassion.

LSU Health Shreveport adopts a definition of diversity that embraces a broad spectrum of human expression and characteristics that include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, gender/gender identity, social and cultural attributes, abilities, sexual orientation, religion, rural or metropolitan background, military or veteran status, and age. In addition, diversity also includes life experiences, record of service, and other talents and personal attributes that enhance the work and learning atmosphere. We are dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse community through the recruitment, enrollment, hiring, and retention/graduation of students, faculty, staff, and leadership who meet this definition of diversity.

LEARN MORE about the AHEAD Scholar Tuition Waiver for Students from Underrepresented Groups. 

MINIMUM ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS 

Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) 

Minimum 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for all required pre-requisite courses

Prerequisite courses earned from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university by the first day of class. It is recommended that all prerequisite courses be completed within 10 years of the year of program application. 

• English Composition, 6 credit hours
• Mathematics, 6 credit hours (College Algebra required; Trigonometry recommended)
• Medical Terminology, 3 credit hours 
• General Chemistry / Lab, 4 credit hours
• General Physics / Lab, (> 200 level recommended) 4 credit hours
• Microbiology / Lab, 4 credit hours
• Human Anatomy and Physiology I / Lab, 4 credit hours
• Human Anatomy and Physiology II / Lab, 4 credit hours
• Science Elective, 3 credit hours*
• Fine Arts Requirement, 3 credit hours**
• Humanities, 9 credit hours***
• Social/Behavioral Science, 6 credit hours****

*Six hours will be earned in a single Life Science (e.g. Biology, Biochemistry, Botany, Zoology) or Physical Science (e.g. Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Astronomy/Meteorology).
**Fine Arts: Music, Visual Arts, Applied Arts, Theatre, Dance, Interdisciplinary
***Humanities (recommended): Literature, Foreign Languages, History, Classical Studies, Communications, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Interdisciplinary
****Social/Behavioral sciences (recommended): Social: Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Economics, Geography, International Studies, Interdisciplinary, Political Science. Behavioral: Psychology, Sociology

All applicants must attend a Mandatory Applicant Orientation meeting typically scheduled for late February. The exact date/time for orientation can be obtained by emailing Dr. Gilmore at tim.gilmore@lsuhs.edu

Selected applicants will be contacted to arrange an interview with CPS Program selection committee. 

Accepted students must certify that they meet the technical standards established by the program with or without reasonable accommodations.

Please note : Accepted students are assigned a provisional admission status until meeting conditions outlined in the acceptance letter and completing pre-matriculation requirements set forth by the Office of the Registrar. As part of the pre-matriculation requirements, accepted students are required to pass a drug screen and criminal background check prior to matriculation. Offers of acceptance are contingent on passing both.

Residents of AR and TX are eligible for in-state tuition rates!

Why choose a career in respiratory therapy?