Anatomy and Physiology I & II for Respiratory Therapy School: How to Complete A&P Online- why respiratory therapy programs require a two-semester A&P sequence, what each course covers, and how to satisfy the requirement online and transfer the credits cleanly.
If you are applying to a respiratory therapy program, one prerequisite shows up on nearly every admission checklist: a full two-semester sequence of human anatomy and physiology, usually written as A&P I and A&P II. It is one of the most heavily weighted academic requirements in the application, and for good reason. Respiratory therapists spend their careers managing the cardiopulmonary system, interpreting blood gases, and operating ventilators. The conceptual foundation for all of that work is built in these two courses.
This guide explains exactly why programs require the full A&P sequence, what each semester covers, the grade and recency rules you need to watch for, and how you can complete A&P I and A&P II online through self-paced, fully accredited coursework that transfers to respiratory therapy schools. A&P is just one piece of the science prerequisite picture — most programs also require microbiology, and you can verify any program’s full requirements through the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Short answer: Yes — the overwhelming majority of accredited respiratory therapy programs require both A&P I and A&P II (or an equivalent anatomy course plus a physiology course), each completed with a grade of C or higher. At PrereqCourses.com these map to BIO 270 (Anatomy & Physiology I) and BIO 275 (Anatomy & Physiology II), delivered online and self-paced, with credit awarded through our regionally accredited university partner.
Yes. Whether you are pursuing an associate degree (the minimum entry point for the field) or a bachelor’s degree in respiratory care, a two-semester anatomy and physiology sequence is a near-universal admission prerequisite. Programs across the country list it explicitly, and accrediting bodies expect incoming students to arrive with this foundation already in place.
A few patterns are worth knowing before you plan your coursework:
Because requirements vary by school, the single most important step you can take is to confirm the specifics with the program you intend to apply to before you enroll in any prerequisite course.
Anatomy and physiology is not just a box to check. It is the conceptual spine of the entire respiratory care curriculum and of daily clinical practice. Respiratory therapists work at the intersection of two of the body’s most dynamic systems — the respiratory and cardiovascular systems — and almost everything they do depends on understanding how those systems are built and how they function under stress.
Consider a few core respiratory therapy tasks and the A&P knowledge each one rests on:
| Clinical task | Underlying A&P concept |
|---|---|
| Interpreting arterial blood gases (ABGs) | Gas exchange at the alveolar–capillary membrane, oxygen and carbon dioxide transport, acid–base balance, and the role of the kidneys and lungs in pH regulation. |
| Managing mechanical ventilation | Lung volumes and capacities, compliance and resistance, the mechanics of inspiration and expiration, and how intrathoracic pressure affects venous return. |
| Administering oxygen and aerosolized medications | Airway anatomy from the upper airway to the terminal bronchioles, ciliary clearance, and how drugs reach and act on bronchial smooth muscle. |
| Assessing a patient in distress | Cardiopulmonary coupling, the autonomic nervous system’s control of heart rate and breathing, and the body’s compensatory responses to hypoxia. |
| Performing CPR and emergency response | Cardiac conduction, circulation, and the structural relationships of the heart, great vessels, and lungs within the thorax. |
In other words, the two semesters you spend on A&P are what make the respiratory care curriculum comprehensible. Students who arrive with a shaky A&P foundation tend to struggle most in cardiopulmonary physiology, pharmacology, and clinical courses — which is exactly why programs gatekeep on this prerequisite. (For a broader look at the profession, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is the field’s main professional organization.)
The two-semester sequence divides the human body into a logical progression. A&P I generally builds the foundation — cells, tissues, and the structural and protective systems — while A&P II covers the major regulatory and transport systems, including the cardiovascular and respiratory systems that matter most to respiratory therapists. Exact organization varies by institution, but the typical breakdown looks like this:
For a respiratory therapy applicant, A&P II is where the most directly relevant material lives — but A&P I is the prerequisite for it. The nervous, muscular, and cellular foundations from the first semester are what let the cardiopulmonary content in the second semester actually make sense. That is why programs require both rather than letting students skip ahead to the respiratory unit.
Yes — and for many applicants, completing A&P online is the most practical route. Working adults, career changers, and students who have already finished most of a degree often cannot fit a fixed-schedule, on-campus science sequence into their lives. Online A&P solves that problem, provided the coursework meets a few key conditions that protect your transferability.
Before enrolling in any online A&P course, confirm that it checks these boxes:
The one caveat worth repeating: a small number of programs still prefer or require an on-campus lab for science prerequisites. Always verify your specific program’s lab policy before enrolling so there are no surprises at the application stage.
At PrereqCourses.com, the respiratory therapy A&P requirement is satisfied by two self-paced online courses: BIO 270 (Anatomy & Physiology I) and BIO 275 (Anatomy & Physiology II). Together they form the complete two-semester sequence that respiratory therapy programs ask for.
| Course | Satisfies | Focus for RT applicants |
|---|---|---|
| BIO 270 | Anatomy & Physiology I | Cellular foundations, tissues, and the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. |
| BIO 275 | Anatomy & Physiology II | Cardiovascular and respiratory systems, plus endocrine, immune, and acid–base balance — the heart of RT-relevant content. |
What makes the format work for respiratory therapy applicants:
One practical reminder: before you enroll, send the BIO 270 and BIO 275 course descriptions to your target respiratory therapy program’s admissions office and ask them to confirm the courses will be accepted, including any lab requirement. A quick email up front saves time later and confirms the credits will count toward your application.
Do I really need both A&P I and A&P II for respiratory therapy?
In almost all cases, yes. The standard requirement is a full two-semester sequence (or an anatomy course plus a physiology course). A single combined survey course is often not enough on its own. Always check your specific program’s wording.
What grade do I need in A&P?
A grade of C or higher in each course is the typical minimum. Competitive programs may prefer B or above, and your prerequisite GPA can affect how your application is ranked.
Will an online A&P course transfer to a respiratory therapy program?
Generally yes, when the credit comes from a regionally accredited institution and your program accepts the format. The most important variables are accreditation and the lab policy, so confirm both with your target program before enrolling.
Does A&P need to include a lab?
Many programs require A&P with a lab, and policies on online or virtual labs vary. Some programs accept an online lab; others prefer an on-campus lab. Verify your program’s specific policy.
How recent does my A&P credit need to be?
Some programs require science prerequisites to have been completed within the last 5 to 10 years. If your credits are older, you may be asked to retake the courses.
How long does it take to finish A&P online?
In a self-paced format, your timeline depends on how much time you can dedicate. Motivated students can move faster than a traditional 16-week term, while others spread the work out around their other commitments.
A two-semester anatomy and physiology sequence is one of the most consistent prerequisites for respiratory therapy school, and it is far more than a formality — it is the foundation for everything from blood gas interpretation to ventilator management. Completing A&P I and A&P II online, through regionally accredited and self-paced coursework, lets you satisfy the requirement on a schedule that works for you while keeping your credits transferable. Once you finish your program, the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) administers the credentialing exams that lead to licensure — so building a strong science foundation now pays off well beyond admissions.
Ready to get started? Explore BIO 270 (Anatomy & Physiology I) and BIO 275 (Anatomy & Physiology II) at PrereqCourses.com, and confirm acceptance with your respiratory therapy program before enrolling.
A&P is one of several prerequisites most respiratory therapy programs require. Explore the rest of the science and general-education sequence:
Prerequisite requirements, grade minimums, recency windows, and lab policies vary by institution and change over time. This article is for general guidance only. Always confirm requirements directly with the respiratory therapy program you intend to apply to.
