University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) and Thomas Jefferson University (Jefferson) have developed a unique partnership for Colorado students to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy (BS RT). The program at Jefferson is offered in collaboration with National Jewish Health (NJH). This program will be made available for students at the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) starting Fall 2024.
This pathway is designed to be a 2+2 pathway consisting of 2 years of pre-professional coursework at the CU Denver (Phase I) + 2 years of respiratory therapy coursework at Jefferson (Phase II) resulting in a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Therapy (BS RT).
With this partnership, select students in the pre-respiratory pathway at CU Denver will have the opportunity to receive early admission to Jefferson’s BS RT Program.
The application to the pathway traditionally opens in September and closes in early March. Decisions for acceptance typically happen in Mid-April.
The University of Colorado CU Denver/Jefferson BS RT Pathway utilizes a holistic admission process which values the applicant’s experience, attributes and metrics without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, in accordance with federal law. Please visit the Eligibility page for specifics.
Pre-Application Information Sessions
(More information coming soon.)
As a student in the Pre-Respiratory Therapy pathway, you will build strong skills in critical thinking and problem solving through foundation courses in the sciences, psychology, and humanities. The courses you’ll complete in the two-year pre-respiratory therapy portion of this program fulfill all necessary prerequisites for preferred placement in Jefferson’s Entry into Practice BS in Respiratory Therapy Program.
If you successfully transition to the Entry into Practice BS in Respiratory Therapy, offered in collaboration with National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado, you will complete didactics online, which will allow flexibility. For in-person clinical rotations, students will have many opportunities at highly regarded hospitals for respiratory care in Denver.
The Entry Into Practice BS in Respiratory Therapy program at Jefferson is both competitive and selective. Thus, not every student who applies will be accepted into the program. Students wishing to enter the Entry Into Practice BSRT program must meet the following criteria for admission:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 is strongly recommended
- Completed the pre-requisite and general education courses
- Prerequisite Coursework Requirements:
- All prerequisite courses must be completed at a regionally accredited institution or at TJU.
- Prerequisite courses are required to be completed with a grade of “C” or above.
- Non-science prerequisite credit can be earned through standardized tests such as AP, IB, and CLEP.
- Credits are calculated on a semester scale; if courses are taken on a quarter scale, they may not be equivalent. Please contact your admissions counselor with any questions.
Phase 1 – Pre-Respiratory Curriculum
Fall Semster #1-14-15 credits
ENGL 1020-3
BIOL 2010/2011-4
CHEM 2031/2038-4
Math Algebra, Pre-Calc, or CALC)-3-4
Spring Semster #1- 15 credits
Engl 2030-3
BIOL 2020/2021-4
CHEM 2061/2068-5
Math 2830-3
Summer #1- 6 credits
PSYC 1000-3
SOCY 1001-3
Fall Semster #2- 15 credits
BIOL 3650/3651-Microbiology/Lab-5
BIOL 3226/3227-Physiology/Lab-4
PHIL 1020-Ethical Reasoning-3
LATN 3,000-Medical Term.-3
Spring Semster #2- 16 credits
BIOL 3240/3241-Anatomy/Lab-5
PHYS 2010/2321-5
Art or HIST class-3
Pre-Respiratory Phase (CU)
(CU application details coming soon)
Respiratory Therapy Phase (Jefferson)
Apply to the Respiratory Therapy, Entry into Practice program using the MyJefferson application, which is available at the following website. https://www.jefferson.edu/academics/colleges-schools-institutes/health-professions/departments-programs/respiratory-therapy/admissions-information/entry-into-practice.html
Sending Your Materials
After submitting the application, you will receive instructions on how to submit your supporting application materials listed below through your online MyJefferson account. If you prefer, you may also mail your materials to:
Thomas Jefferson University
Application Document Processing
4201 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144
You will receive a MyJefferson identification number via email once you submit your application for admission. Be sure to include your name and MyJefferson ID on all documents that you mail to Jefferson.
Supporting Materials
The Admissions Committee emphasizes a holistic review process that examines the entirety of an applicant's academic aptitude, motivation, problem-solving skills, leadership potential and life experiences. Admission decisions are individualized to the specific attributes of the applicant.
- Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions you have attended and/or from which you earned credit. Official transcripts must be sent electronically by the institution to enroll@jefferson.edu or mailed to the address above. Before applying to Jefferson, please review the prerequisites required for admission for this academic program.
- Personal Statement: Submit a statement of purpose outlining your interest in the program, how the course of study relates to your desired career path, and your academic and job-related experiences that are relevant to the program.
- Letters of Recommendation: Submit one letter of reference that provides insight into your academic and/or professional competence. References from college or university faculty members or professional sources are accepted. You may request recommendations through your MyJefferson account.
- Résumé: A current professional résumé is required.
International Applicants
At Jefferson, we set a high priority on the exchange of ideas, research and education with members of the international community.
Transcripts: Students who have taken coursework outside of the United States should submit a course-by-course academic credential evaluation from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member credentialing organization. Applicants who do not have a NACES evaluation are required to submit official transcripts, along with an official English translation, to Jefferson for review. Thomas Jefferson University reserves the right to outsource student academic credentials to our NACES member partner for evaluation.
English Language Exam Requirement: International applicants for this program may be required to submit results from an English Language Proficiency Exam. Applicants may qualify for an English Language Exam Waiver by meeting the criteria below:
- Students from countries where English is the official language.
- Students who studied in the United States for 3 or more years and received a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the U.S.
Applicants who don't qualify for an exam waiver may satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirement by completing an English Language Program/Courses (ELS Education Services ELS 112 or English Comp I & II with a C or better) or by submitting one of the following:
- TOEFL: 80 IBT (no sub-score below 20); exam must be taken within the last two years
- TOEFL Essentials: 8.5 (no sub-score below 8); exam must be taken within the last two years
- IELTS: 6.5 (no sub-score below 6); exam must be taken within the last two years
- Duolingo Exam: 115
- Pearson PTE Academic Exam: 53
- SAT: 500 Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW)
- ACT: 19 English minimum
Application Deadlines
To be considered complete and eligible for review, all supporting materials must be received by the deadline.
Fall Application Deadline: July 15
- CU Denver Offers Access to Lifesaving Respiratory Therapy Bachelor’s Degree to Help Stem Professional Shortage Through Collaboration with Thomas Jefferson University and National Jewish Health
- Why Denver's National Jewish partnered with a university that is 1,700 miles away
- Jefferson University launches new degree programs to increase the number of respiratory therapists in Philly
Please visit the following website to learn more about Jefferson’s BS RT Program.
- Trishia Vasquez, CU Denver Health Professions Programs Director and pre-admission program coordinator: Trishia.Vasquez@ucdenver.edu
- Jerin Juby, Jefferson Program Director, Respiratory Therapy: Jerin.Juby@jefferson.edu
- Karsten Roberts, Jefferson Director of Clinical Education: Karsten.Roberts@jefferson.edu
- Lauren Deibler, Jefferson Director of Transfer Admissions: Lauren.Deibler@jefferson.edu