Respiratory Therapy
Advanced Diploma
Program Code: RT311
Campus: North
Length: 6 semesters
Humber’s Respiratory Therapy Advanced Diploma program prepares students to deliver safe, evidence-informed, and person-centered cardio-respiratory care. Through a dynamic blend of classroom instruction, simulation-based training, and extensive clinical placements, learners build strong foundations in health and life sciences, clinical judgment, and hands-on technical skills.
Students gain expertise in airway management and mechanical ventilation, cardiopulmonary diagnostics and resuscitation, oxygen and aerosol therapy, pulmonary function and stress testing, prevention and rehabilitation of cardio-respiratory diseases and patient education and interprofessional collaboration.
The program aligns with the National Competency Framework for Respiratory Therapy and equips graduates to meet the standards of practice set by the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO) and other provincial regulatory bodies.
Professional Credentialing
Graduates must complete the Canadian Board for Respiratory Care (CBRC) national certification exam to apply for credentialing with the CRTO or the regulatory body in their province of practice. As regulated professionals, Respiratory Therapists in Ontario are required to engage in continuous professional development to ensure the highest standards of patient carecrto.on.ca.
Timing & intensity: Work-integrated learning occurs in upper semesters and involves full-time rotations across partner hospitals/clinical sites. Rotations involve days, evenings, nights, weekends, and statutory holidays to reflect 24/7 care.
Clinical Placement Locations and Student Responsibility
While every effort is made to place students in their preferred clinical location, placement opportunities are dependent on-site availability and program needs. As a result, students may be assigned to placements outside of their preferred region, including locations across Ontario. Students are responsible for any costs associated with travel, temporary relocation, or accommodation required to complete their placement. We recommend planning ahead and maintaining flexibility throughout the placement process.
WIL Clearance requirements
Before beginning placements, students must meet Humber Polytechnic’s Faculty of Health & Life Sciences and clinical partners’ standard health, safety, and legal clearance requirements (e.g., immunizations, mask-fit, CPR/First Aid, police checks). Details and deadlines will be provided after admission, and students are encouraged to review the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Student Handbook for foundational WIL concepts and program-specific requirements.
Visit Future Students (https://healthsciences.humber.ca/future-students/why-humber/work-integrated-learning.html) > Work-Integrated Learning (https://healthsciences.humber.ca/future-students/why-humber/work-integrated-learning.html )to learn more about WIL at Humber and explore examples of experiential learning success stories.
Courses
Admission Requirements
Admission selection is based on the following 3 requirements:
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Academic
To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:
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To be eligible for admission, you must possess the following:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including these required courses:
- Grade 12 English (ENG4C or ENG4U or equivalent)
- Grade 12 Mathematics (MAP4C, MCT4C, MDM4U, MCB4U, MGA4U, MCV4U or MHF4U or equivalent)
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 Biology (SBI3C, SBI3U or SBI4U or equivalent)
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH3U, SCH4C or SCH4U or equivalent)
- Grade 11 or Grade 12 Physics (SPH3U, SPH4C, SPH4U)
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including these required courses:
Mature Applicants
Diplomas and Certificates
An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet all listed course requirements.
Degrees
An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.
College Transfer Applicants
Diplomas and Certificates
An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.
Degrees
An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.
University Transfer Applicants
Diplomas and Certificates
An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.
Degrees
An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.
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English Language Proficiency
All applicants whose first language is not English must meet Humber’s English Language Proficiency Policy.
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International Credit Evaluation
Canadian citizens or permanent residents with international education are required to provide a credential evaluation. Note, for international High school education course by course evaluations, ICAS must be used. For international post-secondary education, a WES evaluation must be provided. In situations where you expect to apply for transfer credit, it is recommended that a course by course WES evaluation is completed.
How to Apply
Applications are made through ontariocolleges.ca. See program page for details.
International Academic Equivalency
Admission equivalencies for Humber depend on your country of study. Please see admission requirements on the program page to enter your location.
Post-Admission Requirements
Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).
Placement Requirements
While these requirements are not mandatory for admission, they must be completed before participating in specific program components, such as work-integrated learning.
Students will not be permitted to attend placements until all required documentation and certifications are submitted and verified. Requirements may change based on legislation updates or placement site policies. Students will be notified of any changes in advance.
To ensure safety and compliance with industry standards, students must complete the following:
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• Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check
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• CPR Certification – Level HCP/BLS
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• Standard First Aid Certification
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• Respiratory Mask Fit Certificate
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• Immunization Records and Lab Tests, including:
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• Tetanus / Diphtheria / Pertussis (Tdap)
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• Measles / Mumps / Rubella (MMR)
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• Varicella (Chickenpox)
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• Influenza (Flu)
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• COVID-19 Vaccine
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• Hepatitis B (HB)
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• Tuberculosis (TB) Testing – May include a chest X-ray
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• Completion of E-learning Modules
Some placement sites may have additional requirements based on their policies or industry standards. These will be communicated to students ahead of time to allow for preparation.
Clinical Placement Locations and Student Responsibility
While every effort is made to place students in their preferred clinical location, placement opportunities are dependent on site availability and program needs. As a result, students may be assigned to placements outside of their preferred region, including locations across Ontario. Students are responsible for any costs associated with travel, temporary relocation, or accommodation required to complete their placement. We recommend planning ahead and maintaining flexibility throughout the placement process.
Respiratory Therapy Professional Readiness
The practice of respiratory therapy demands both technical competence and professional resilience. Students should be prepared to:
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• Participate in clinical placements across varied settings — including hospitals, specialty care centres, community clinics, and home-care environments.
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• Engage in shift work, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and statutory holidays, reflecting the 24-hour nature of cardio-respiratory care.
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• Provide care in fast-paced, high-acuity settings, requiring adaptability, critical thinking, and effective communication as part of interprofessional healthcare teams.
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• Support patients and families during vulnerable moments, requiring a high level of emotional intelligence, empathy, and professionalism.
Pathways
Humber offers a number of transfer options and pathway opportunities. Visit humber.ca/transferoptions or refer to the program page.
Contact Information
Craig MacCalman, Associate Dean
Faculty of Health & Life Sciences
437.565.1517
craig.maccalman@humber.ca
Admissions Questions
Domestic Students
416-675-5000
enquiry@humber.ca
International Students
Contact the International Centre
international.humber.ca/contact
1-416-675-5067
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
Select information only is included in this printable PDF. For complete program details, refer to humber.ca/programs.
Print/Download Date: October 11, 2025