(Associate of Applied Science Degree) RESPIRATORY CARE PROGRAM
El Centro only
Degree Plan Code: AAS.RESPIRAT.CARE.10
The Respiratory Care Program prepares students to become respiratory therapists and perform complex patient care procedures in specialized patient care units and diagnostic laboratories.
The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded for successful completion of the program, enabling the graduate to apply for the Entry Level Credentialing Examination to become a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). After CRT certification is obtained, the graduate may then apply for the Advanced Practitioner Examination to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Passing the Entry Level Examination enables the graduate to obtain licensure as a Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) in the State of Texas.
The Respiratory Care Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC, 1248 Harwood Rd., Bedford, Texas 76021-4244: Telephone number 817-283-2835).
Admission requirements include satisfactory scores on pre-entrance assessment testing, completion of program prerequisite courses with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better, rank ordering by grade point average, and completion of all requirements for admission as a full-time student to the college. Clinical skills testing may be required for advanced placement. Contact the Health Occupations Admissions Office at El Centro College to receive an information packet, and the Assessment Center to sign up for the assessment tests.
| CREDIT HOURS |
SEMESTER I
SEMESTER II
SEMESTER III
| RSPT 1227 | Applied Physics for Respiratory Care | 2 |
| RSPT 1431 | Respiratory Care Fundamentals II | 4 |
| 6 |
SEMESTER IV
| RSPT 1307 | Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| RSPT 2317 | Respiratory Care Pharmacology | 3 |
| RSPT 1311 | Respiratory Care Procedures II | 3 |
| RSPT 2258 | Respiratory Care Patient Assessment | 2 |
| RSPT 2310 | Cardiopulmonary Disease | 3 |
| RSPT 1360 | Clinical-Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist | 3 |
| 17 |
SEMESTER V
| RSPT 2453 | Neonatal/Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Care | 4 |
| RSPT 2314 | Mechanical Ventilation | 3 |
| RSPT 2325 | Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics | 3 |
| RSPT 2231 | Simulations in Respiratory Care | 2 |
| RSPT 1141 | Respiratory Home Care/Rehabilitation | 1 |
| RSPT 2362 | Clinical-Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist | 3 |
| 16 |
SEMESTER VI
| RSPT 2263 | Clinical-Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist | 2 |
| RSPT 2166 | Practicum (or Field Experience)-Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist | 1 |
| 3 | ||
| Minimum Hours Required | 65 |
+Humanities/Fine Arts Elective - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Humanities/Fine Arts.
NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.
