College of the North Atlantic offers a three-year Respiratory Therapy diploma at its Prince Philip Drive campus in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Students combine classroom, lab and simulation learning with clinical placements. Admission is competitive and uses a points-based ranking process.
- Program
- Respiratory Therapy
- Credential
- Diploma
- Location
- St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Length
- three years
Casper Requirement for College of the North Atlantic Respiratory Therapy
Confirm with College of the North Atlantic Respiratory Therapy whether Casper is required for your application year.
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
CNA has not published Casper requirements or sittings for the next Respiratory Therapy admissions cycle.
College of the North Atlantic Respiratory Therapy Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- College of the North Atlantic application portal; other submission options are available
- Application fee
- $30 non-refundable application fee per program
CNA has not announced the next Respiratory Therapy intake or its application and supporting-document deadlines. Domestic and international applications are currently closed.
Eligibility Requirements for College of the North Atlantic Respiratory Therapy
- Residency
Newfoundland and Labrador residents receive one point in competitive-entry ranking.
- Language proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the School of Health Sciences English-proficiency requirements.
Admission pathways
- High school: Graduation certificate with a 60% overall average in specified admission courses and each course’s required minimum mark.
- College Transition: College Transition certificate with specified English, mathematics, biology, and chemistry-or-physics courses and minimum marks.
- Adult Basic Education: Level III graduation with Degree and Technical Profile, a 60% overall average, and specified English, mathematics, biology, and chemistry-or-physics courses.
Applicants must be completing or have completed an accepted high-school, College Transition, or Adult Basic Education route.
Other requirements
- Requirements upon acceptance: Complete CNA’s Health Sciences Student Information and Program Awareness Package, including a criminal record check, vulnerable sector check, and NL Student Preplacement Immunizations and Communicable Diseases Screening Form.
- Clinical placement: A clear Certificate of Conduct is required for placement. Students pay associated screening and placement expenses.
Selection Factors College of the North Atlantic Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| English | required High-school English 3201: minimum 60%; equivalent requirements apply to other admission routes. |
| Mathematics | required Specified advanced or academic high-school mathematics courses, with course minimums of 50% or 60%; equivalents accepted. |
| Biology | required High-school Biology 2201 and 3201: minimum 50% in each; equivalents accepted. |
| Chemistry or Physics | one-of High-school Chemistry 3202 or Physics 3204: minimum 50%; equivalents accepted. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Competitive-entry points use the percentage average in required admission courses, not a cumulative or science GPA. CNA uses available marks for applicants still completing their final year and may substitute equivalent postsecondary course marks.
CNA lists a 60% overall average for the high-school and Adult Basic Education routes, with specified minimum marks in individual courses. It does not list a 2.5 minimum GPA or 3.0 competitive GPA.
Admissions tests
- IELTS Academic (required for some applicants): For applicants whose first language is not English: overall 7.0; Speaking 7.0, Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 7.0. CNA also refers ESL applicants to its School of Health Sciences English-proficiency policy.
Experience and volunteer hours
Not required.
Work and volunteer hours are not listed among the published competitive-entry criteria.
How applicants are ranked
Competitive entry is points-based. CNA awards points for Newfoundland and Labrador residency, a qualifying prior application, completed postsecondary courses, the percentage average in prerequisite courses, and the admissions-exam calculated score. Eligible applicants are ranked for offers; applicants not accepted must reapply for a future intake.
Interview Format at College of the North Atlantic
CNA does not list an interview among the published Respiratory Therapy competitive-entry criteria.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at College of the North Atlantic Respiratory Therapy
- Program length
- three years
- Structure
Classroom, laboratory and simulation learning at CNA; clinical application in the first two years; and clinical placements at approved Newfoundland and Labrador facilities in the third year.
- Campuses
- Prince Philip Drive
Topics include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, mechanical ventilation, cardiopulmonary diagnostics and neonatal respiratory care. Graduates are eligible to write the national certification exam.
Campus and facilities
Respiratory Therapy is delivered on campus at Prince Philip Drive in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Clinical placements take place at approved sites across the province.
Tuition and Funding at College of the North Atlantic
- Canadian, full-time Health Sciences regular term: $1,301 per semester
- Canadian, full-time intersession: $625 per semester
- International, full-time Health Sciences regular term: $4,685 per semester
- International, full-time intersession: $2,344 per semester
CNA also lists a $105 annual confirmation fee, $50 one-time academic audit fee, and $83 technology fee per semester for Canadian students. The confirmation fee is due within two weeks of an offer. Students pay costs associated with clinical placements.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe intense workloads: "I spent the vast majority of my 3 years studying. As well, there are clinical courses you have to do." Current students in clinicals report challenges balancing patient care demands: "I'm having a hard time. I like the work but I want to be able to help and care for the patients." Effective study strategies include recording lectures for podcast-style review and using tools like Venn diagrams. Part-time work proves difficult due to the full-time clinical commitments. Students leverage communities like Student Doctor Network for advising and data on healthcare paths.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your College of the North Atlantic Respiratory Therapy Application
- Check CNA’s admission routes and the minimum marks for each required course.
- Prepare official transcripts and, if applicable, proof of English proficiency.
- Check the next intake’s published admissions requirements before booking Casper.
- Plan for the health screening, record checks and costs required after acceptance.
More About College of the North Atlantic Respiratory Therapy
- Certification pathway
Graduates are eligible to write the national certification exam for the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential.
Frequently Asked Questions About College of the North Atlantic Respiratory Therapy
Is Casper required for CNA Respiratory Therapy?
CNA’s published Casper requirement applies to the previous admissions cycle; requirements for the next cycle have not been announced.
What GPA is required?
CNA specifies course marks and percentage averages, not a GPA cutoff.
How many students are accepted?
CNA does not publish a cohort size on its program page.
Is there an interview?
CNA does not list one in its published competitive-entry criteria.
Sources
- cna.nl.ca: respiratory therapy
- borneonaturefoundation.org: 2017THORNTONSAPhD
- schoolfinder.com: Respiratory Therapy
- nwtc.edu: Respiratory Therapy Admissions Guide 12 25
- ncc.edu: admissions requirements.shtml
- research.com: gps test scores and experience needed for respiratory care therapy degree programs
- nshealth.ca: Occupational Career Fact Sheets Doc
- catalog.atlanticcape.edu: respiratory care
- cna.nl.ca: all courses
- favoritestaffing.com: respiratory therapist interview questions and how to answer them
- indeed.com: interview questions for respiratory therapists
Last updated: September 26, 2026