RESPIRATORY CARE PROGRAM

El Centro only

(Associate in Applied Sciences Degree, Tech Prep)

(Students pursuing this AAS program are required to meet all TASP requirements.)

Degree Plan Code: AAS.RESPIRATOR.CARE

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 in Applied Sciences 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 of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP, 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1970, Chicago, Illinois 60601-2208: Telephone number 312-553-9355) in cooperation with the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC, 1701 W. Euless Blvd., Suite 300, Euless, Texas 76040-6823: 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 2.5 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.

SEMESTER I

SEMESTER II

SEMESTER III

SEMESTER IV

SEMESTER V

SEMESTER VI

+Elective must be selected from the following:

# BIOL 1406, General Biology and BIOL 1407, General Biology are prerequisites to BIOL 2401.

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.