Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory Therapy – Associate in Applied Science

Respiratory Therapy is an allied health profession whose practitioners focus on diagnosis and treatment of cardiopulmonary disorders and diseases. A respiratory care practitioner can be instrumental in assisting a physician in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a wide spectrum of disorders affecting the heart and lungs and specializes in the application of scientific knowledge and theory to practical, clinical problems of respiratory care. A respiratory care practitioner is qualified to assume primary clinical responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including responsibilities involved in supervision of respiratory technician functions.

This is a two-year program leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree. The curriculum consists of integrated didactic and clinical course work in approved clinical education affiliates. The program is designed to prepare the student for employment in the field of respiratory care. Positions are located within hospitals, long-term care facilities and other outpatient settings.

Upon successful completion, students are eligible to write the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) exams. Satisfactory completion of the NBRC board certifying exams allow the respiratory care practitioner to use the initials of RRT, Registered Respiratory Therapist.

There are special admission requirements to the respiratory care program, and it is the student’s responsibility to understand the requirements and adhere to them. Admission to the program is not guaranteed; entry into the program is competitive and based on a “point system.” The order of acceptance of qualified applicants will be based on points achieved.

Applications are processed according to the following:

• Applications must be received by the Allied Health Office by November 15.
• Students are notified by mail of application results.
• Accepted students begin winter semester.
• BIO 132 or BIO 253 and BIO 254 (3.0 minimum), MAT 130 (3.0 minimum), ENG 131, and MOA 120 must be successfully completed before admission to the program.