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Respiratory Care Degree

Entrance requirements: To enter the program, you must meet all basic skills requirements including computer literacy, complete at least four of the six required General Education courses (with a “C” or higher in natural science courses), and undergo a screening and selection process. You must also obtain CPR certification before enrolling in the program, and pass a drug screening and background check before you can take clinical courses. You can obtain application information from the Respiratory Care department.

Graduation requirements: The program consists of five semesters of theory, laboratory, and clinical internships in the techniques of respiratory care. You must take the Respiratory Care courses in sequence and complete them with a “C” grade or higher. Graduates of the program become eligible for registry by the National Board for Respiratory Care.

ASSOCIATE (AAS) DEGREE (Respiratory Care Practitioner)

TOTAL CREDITS 65-73.5

73.5 Option A Requirements:

10 General Education Requirements

    • 4   BIO 201 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
    • 3   ENG 121 English Composition I
    • 3   PSY 101 General Psychology I

OR

    • 3   PSY 235 Human Growth and Development
    • 3   MAT 107 Career Math

10 Related Requirements

    • 4   BIO 204 Microbiology
    • 5   CHE 105 Chemistry in Context

OR

    • 5   CHE 101 Introduction to Chemistry I with Lab
    • 1   RCA 105 Introduction to Respiratory Care (course can be taken during Semester 1)

53.5 Option A Core Curriculum Requirements

Semester 1 – Fall

    • 3   RCA 155 Logic of Respiratory Science
    • 3   RCA 151 Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
    • 3   RCA 131 Basic Techniques in Respiratory Care I

Semester 2 – Spring

    • 3   RCA 153 Cardiopulmonary Disease
    • 3   RCA 165 Pharmacology of Cardiopulmonary Care
    • 5   RCA 132 Basic Techniques in Respiratory Care II
    • 3   RCA 164 Advanced Cardiac Care

Semester 3 – Summer

    • 2   RCA 230 Critical Care I
    • 4.5   RCA 280 Internship I

Semester 4 – Fall

    • 3   RCA 256 Pediatric and Neonatal Care
    • 1   RCA 254 Pulmonary Function Testing
    • 3   RCA 251 Critical Care II
    • 7.5   RCA 281 Internship II

Semester 5 – Spring

    • 2   RCA 265 Professional Development
    • 7.5   RCA 283 Internship III

65 Option B: Respiratory/EMT I*

22 General Education Requirements

    • 4   BIO 201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
    • 4   BIO 204 Microbiology
    • 5   CHE 101 Introduction to Chemistry I with Lab

OR

    • 5   CHE 105 Chemistry in Context
    • 3   ENG 121 English Composition I
    • 3   MAT 107 Career Math
    • 3   PSY 101 General Psychology I

OR

    • 3   PSY 235 Human Growth and Development

43 Core Curriculum Requirements

Semester 1 – Fall

    • 1   RCA 105 Introduction to Respiratory Care
    • 3   RCA 155 Logic of Respiratory Science
    • 3   RCA 151 Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
    • 4   RCA 133 Respiratory/EMS Modalities
    • 3   RCA 165 Pharmacology of Cardiopulmonary Care

Semester 2 – Spring

    • 3   RCA 153 Cardiopulmonary Disease

(Students will take EMT-I certification courses during this semester)

Semester 3 – Summer

    • 2   RCA 230 Critical Care I
    • 3   RCA 282 RCA/EMS Internship I

(Students will take EMT-I certification courses during this semester)

Semester 4 – Fall

    • 3   RCA 256 Pediatric and Neonatal Care
    • 1   RCA 254 Pulmonary Function Testing
    • 3   RCA 251 Critical Care II
    • 6   RCA 284 RCA/EMS Internship II

Semester 5 – Fall

    • 6   RCA 286 RCA/EMS Internship III
    • 2   RCA 289 Capstone

*Option B must be taken with the EMT-I certificate

 

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