2020 - 2021 Catalog
Program: Respiratory Care Program
Note: This program may lead to an occupational license for which a prior criminal history may make a student ineligible. For more information, please visit: https://www.dcccd.edu/hb1508.
Note: This program is a THECB Approved Program of Study (POS).
(Associate of Applied Science Degree)
- Students pursuing this award program are required to meet Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards and course prerequisites.
- Complete at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College.
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 campus to receive an information packet, and the Assessment Center to sign up for the assessment tests.
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1301 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| MATH 1314 | College Algebra | 3 |
| BIOL 2401 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| +Elective | Humanities/Fine Arts | 3 |
| Semester Total | 13 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPCH 1311 | Introduction to Speech Communication | 3 |
| PSYC 2301 | General Psychology | 3 |
| BIOL 2402 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
| Semester Total | 10 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RSPT 1201 ++ | Introduction to Respiratory Care | 2 |
| RSPT 1410 ++ | Respiratory Care Procedures 1 | 4 |
| Semester Total | 6 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RSPT 1340 +++ | Advanced Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| RSPT 1113 +++ | Basic Respiratory Care Pharmacology | 1 |
| RSPT 1311 | Respiratory Care Procedures 2 | 3 |
| RSPT 1360 | Clinical-Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist | 3 |
| Semester Total | 10 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RSPT 2217 +++ | Respiratory Care Pharmacology | 2 |
| RSPT 2258 +++ | Respiratory Care Patient Assessment | 2 |
| RSPT 2310 +++ | Cardiopulmonary Disease | 3 |
| Semester Total | 7 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2130 | Respiratory Care Examination Preparation | 1 |
| RSPT 2362 | Clinical-Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist | 3 |
| Semester Total | 16 | |
| Course | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RSPT 2263 | Clinical-Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist | 2 |
| RSPT 2166 | Practicum (or Field Experience)-Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist | 1 |
| Semester Total | 3 | |
| Minimum Hours Required | 65 | |
|---|---|---|
+Humanities/Fine Arts Elective - must be selected from the AAS Core Options for Humanities/Fine Arts.
++RSPT 1201 is first offered on a four-week basis; followed by RSPT 1410 offered on a five-week basis.
+++Courses offered on an eight-week basis.
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.