Admissions & Registration

General Admission Requirements (NOTE: There are additional requirements for admission into the AAS in Respiratory Therapy program.)

BPCC has an open admissions policy established by the Louisiana Legislature and approved by the Board of Regents and Louisiana Community & Technical College System.

Students may be admitted to Bossier Parish Community College if they meet one of these three options: have obtained a high school diploma from a school accredited by a regionally accredited agency, have obtained a General Education Development diploma (GED), or have met pre-established criteria on the BPCC Ability to Benefit test and are above the age of compulsory school attendance. The objective of the Ability to Benefit as defined by the United States Department of Education is "the use of a standardized test approved by U. S. Department of Education to determine the ability of a student to benefit from the instruction available from an institution." The assessment measures established by the federal government as showing "ability to benefit" are as follows: a COMPASS score of 25 on pre-algebra/number skills; 32 on Writing Skills; and 62 on Reading Skills. The student is evaluated on the demonstration of at least the minimum score on all three tests in a single testing experience to be admitted to the College.

BPCC operates on a three-semester system, which includes a summer term. A qualified applicant may register at the beginning of any semester. Complete admission records must be received in the Admissions/Registrar’s Office prior to registration in order for the applicant to be notified regarding eligibility for admission. Students failing to complete admission records will be denied admission or will be admitted temporarily as provisional students. Students admitted provisionally are not eligible for federal financial aid.

The student’s permanent record is the academic file folder, which contains the following information: academic transcripts from high school and college, placement test scores, immunization records, and proof of Selective Service registration by male students. The records are on an imaging system, which stores the information on an optical disk. The records from 1967-94 are on microfiche, which is stored in a fireproof filing cabinet in the Admissions/Registrar's Office.

Admission Procedure

• A student seeking admission to BPCC may obtain appropriate application forms from the Admissions/Registrar’s Office located in Building F. (Emmett E. Cope Student Services Building) or from the College’s website (www.bpcc.edu)
• The student must complete an application and have the application on file by the date listed in the BPCC calendar.
• An application fee is required for first-time students (students attending BPCC for the first time).

AAS in Respiratory Therapy Admission Requirements

The selection process for the RT Program clinical component begins each spring. Students should be aware of the following requirements and procedures regarding clinical selection:

• Transfer students must complete all College Admissions Forms and a request for official transcripts to be sent to BPCC prior to the deadline of April 15th.
• Students must submit a completed RT Clinical Application Packet by the application deadline of April 15th.
• Students must complete an Essential Requirements form and send with RT Clinical Application Packet.
• Students must attend a Mandatory Applicant Orientation meeting. Dates can be found by emailing Mrs. Dulle at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Pre-RT (qualification) courses must be completed by the end of the spring semester in the application year. In some situations, however, up to 3 credit hours may be completed in the first summer session (June session/session B) when available and with prior approval of the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• GPA in pre-RT (qualification) courses must be 2.500 or higher and students must earn a “C” or better in all courses to be eligible for application.
• Interviews are conducted in early June of each year.
• 15 students per year are selected for the clinical component of the program.

Interview/Selection Process

Students who have successfully completed the designated qualification courses for the Associate Applied of Science degree, who are of a minimum age of 18 by the beginning of the clinical semester and who have a minimum GPA of 2.500 in all qualification courses with a minimum of a "C" in each qualification course and submit a program application by the published deadline, are eligible to appear before the Program Selection Committee in May/June for an interview. The Selection Committee is composed of the program director, clinical and academic coordinators, College personnel, and area professionals working in respiratory therapy. Only those students who have completed application to BPCC AND completed the respiratory therapy application packet by April 15 will be qualified to interview. Selection for clinicals is based upon the following:

1. Minimum of "C" in each qualification course.
2. Overall GPA of 2.000 and minimum of 2.500 in required qualification courses.
3. Completion of a mandatory applicant orientation. Dates of orientation can obtained by emailing Mrs. Dulle at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
4. Post interview assessment by selection committee to include language skills, personal appearance, demeanor, past academic achievements, knowledge of the profession, and job experience, if applicable.

Students will be notified by mail of acceptance or rejection for entry into summer clinical course work. Clinical class size is determined by clinical site availability and employment statistics.

Special Requirements

• All students selected for respiratory therapy clinicals must provide all required clinical information (listed earlier in this section) including:
• A completed health status statement form from a physician, laboratory immunization/testing reports for mumps, measles, rubella, tetanus, tuberculosis, varicella zoster, and Hepatitis B and any others required by the hospital/clinical facility and documentation of laboratory testing for negative drug screening.
• Students must also maintain current health insurance coverage while in the program and submit a signed consent/release for criminal background check.
• Once accepted into clinicals, students will pay a clinical fee in addition to regular tuition and fees during each clinical semester.
• Students must maintain a minimum grade of C (70%) or better in all clinical course work to remain in the program. Any student who fails to maintain a 70% while in clinicals will be terminated from the program. The student may reapply and re-interview for the next class the following year if he/she wishes to continue to pursue the RT degree. If reaccepted, it will be at the discretion of the program director as to which course(s) must be remediated or audited based on results of the student's prior performance in the program.