2015 - 2016 Combined Catalogs of the Colleges

Program: Respiratory Care Program


These changes were made after this degree plan was originally published on June 11, 2015.
Show me the current version.
Show me the June 11, 2015, web published version.
Key:  Old Content     New Content


RESPIRATORY CARE PROGRAM

(Associate in Applied Sciences Degree)

El Centro only

  • Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites.
  • Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.

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 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 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.

SEMESTER I

CREDIT HOURS
BIOL 1406 General Biology 4
+Elective Humanities/Fine Arts 3
7

SEMESTER II SEMESTER I

HPRS 1204 Basic Health Profession Skills 2
ENGL 1301 Composition I 3
MATH 1314 College Algebra 3
BIOL 2401 Anatomy and Physiology I 4
+Elective Humanities/Fine Arts 3
9 15

SEMESTER III SEMESTER II

HPRS 2201 Pathophysiology 2
HPRS 2210 Basic Health Profession Skills II 2
HPRS 2300 Pharmacology for Health Professions 3
PSYC 2301 General Psychology 3
BIOL 2402 Anatomy and Physiology II 4
11 14

SEMESTER IV SEMESTER III

RSPT 1227 Applied Physics for Respiratory Care 2
RSPT 1431 Respiratory Care Fundamentals II 4
6

SEMESTER V 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 1260 Clinical-Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist 2
16

SEMESTER VI SEMESTER V

RSPT 2353 Neonatal/Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Care 3
RSPT 2314 Mechanical Ventilation 3
RSPT 2325 Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics 3
RSPT 2131 Simulations in Respiratory Care 1
RSPT 1141 Respiratory Home Care/Rehabilitation 1
RSPT 2262 Clinical-Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist 2
13

SEMESTER VII SEMESTER VI

RSPT 2163 Clinical-Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist 1
RSPT 2166 Practicum (or Field Experience)-Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist 1
2
Minimum Hours Required 64 66

+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.

© 2025 Dallas County Community College District.