Respiratory Care Associate Degree
Respiratory therapists, or RTs, help patients of all ages with breathing and lung problems. As an RT, you’ll work alongside physicians to assess, evaluate and diagnose problems ranging from asthma and lung disease to cardiac arrest.
About
Our respiratory care program begins in the fall and lasts for 24 months over six semesters. You’ll go hands-on from day one, training alongside experienced professionals in a variety of simulated and real-life settings. These include:
- General patient care
- Adult critical care
- Neonatal critical care
- Pediatrics
- Pulmonary diagnostics
- Cardiology
- Home care and rehabilitation
- Long-term acute care
You’ll graduate with the clinical experience necessary for the respiratory therapist credentialing exam.
See the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook.
Accreditation
Our Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree respiratory therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). See more accreditation information.
Requirements
Applicants for the AAS degree respiratory therapy program must meet general admission requirements.
Curriculum
First Year: Associate in Applied Science Degree
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| BIO 175 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| ENG 100 | English Composition | 3 |
| HSC 100 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| MAT 160 | College Algebra | 3 |
| SOC 100 or | Introduction to Sociology or | 3 |
| SOC 200 | Cultural Diversity | |
| Total | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | Credits | |
| BIO 176 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| CHE 100 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| HSC 101 | Methods of Patient Care | 1 |
| RCP 110 | Respiratory Care Procedures I | 3 |
| RCP 120 | Respiratory Care Lab I | 3 |
| RCP 130 | Respiratory Care Theory I | 2 |
| Total | 16 | |
| Summer Semester | Credits | |
| RCP 140 | Respiratory Care Procedures II | 2 |
| RCP 150 | Respiratory Care Lab II | 1 |
| RCP 160 | Respiratory Care Theory II | 2 |
| Total | 5 | |
| Total Combined Credits | 35 |
Second Year: Associate in Applied Science Degree
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| PSY 100 | General Psychology | 3 |
| RCP 201 | Entry Level Review | 2 |
| RCP 210 | Respiratory Care Procedures III | 3 |
| RCP 220 | Respiratory Care Lab III | 2 |
| RCP 230 | Respiratory Care Theory III | 2 |
| RCP 240 | Clinical Level I | 2 |
| Total | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | Credits | |
| PHI 210 | Ethical and Legal Dimensions in the Health Sciences | 1 |
| RCP 251 | Respiratory Care Procedures and Diagnostics IV | 3 |
| RCP 260 | Respiratory Care Lab/Clinical IV | 3 |
| RCP 271 | Respiratory Care Theory and Application IV | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Total | 13 | |
| Summer Semester I & II Combined | Credits | |
| RCP 280 | Advanced Level Respiratory Care Review | 2 |
| RCP 290 | Clinical Level II | 4 |
| Total | 6 | |
| Total Combined Credits | 68 |