Respiratory Care Practitioner – Major #4610 - Associate of Science Degree

This program map only provides one possible pathway for degree and/or certificate obtainment and is for reference only. Please schedule an appointment with a counselor to develop your individualized Student Education Plan.
It is also important to discuss your transfer options with a counselor because each university will require specific courses.

The Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) is a healthcare specialist involved in managing, diagnostically evaluating, and providing care to patients with deficiencies and abnormalities affecting their cardiopulmonary system. Respiratory care practitioners comprise a critical sector of the allied healthcare workforce. Next to nurses, RCP's are the most frequently seen health care providers at the patient's bedside. Enrollment is limited in the Respiratory Care Practitioner Program. There are no restrictions as to age, race, or marital status. The program is lottery-based. In order to qualify for admission to the program, the applicant must have met all the following conditions:

Application Requirements: Minimum prerequisite requirements for application to the Respiratory Care Practitioner Program follow:

1. Graduated from high school with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or completed the General Educational Development test with an average standard score of 45.

2. Complete and submit an online program application for the Respiratory Care Practitioner Program during the application period.  

3. At the time of application, applicants must have completed the following prerequisites with a C or better (2.0 or above) and have a combined GPA of the prerequisite courses of at least 2.75: Biology 31, Biology 20 and Biology 22 or Biology 21A and Biology 21B, Chemistry 3A, Math 3A or Statistics C1000 or transfer level math, English C1000. Courses cannot be taken as credit/no credit or pass/no pass. 

4. At the time of application, all general education for the local associate degree must be completed. This requirement may also be met by completing the Cal-GETC transfer general education pattern (the CSU or IGETC GE pattern will be accepted, if completed). All general courses must be completed with a grade of C or better (2.0 or above).                                                                                                                                                                     

 5. Successful completion of RCARE 101. Accepted applicants will be enrolled in this course during the summer section prior to starting the program in the Fall semester. Following successful completion of the course, students will be enrolled in the program.

Academic Requirements:

1. Students in the respiratory care program must earn a “C” grade or better in all required respiratory care courses.

2. Course repeatability and failure policies will be followed as outlined in the Respiratory Care Student Handbook.

3. Be in good physical and mental health with no physical impairment, which would preclude the performance of any respiratory care practitioner duties. Student must submit evidence of physical examination by a licensed physician prior to taking courses in the Respiratory Care Program.

4. Background checks and drug screens are mandatory.

5. Respiratory Care Program orientation is mandatory.

6. Safe professional practice is necessary for the retention of students in the program. If a student demonstrates that he or she is unsuited to the profession or is not progressing satisfactorily based on the professional judgment of the faculty, the student may be asked to withdraw from the program.

 

1. To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRT).

Program Map

Term 1

9-13 units

Term 2

12 units

Term 3

11-15 units

Term 4

11 units

Term 5

11 units

Term 6

12 units

Term 7

12 units

Term 8

12 units