Respiratory Therapy - Associate in Applied Science

Occupational Title: Respiratory Therapist
Flanagan Campus, Lincoln only

Program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 264 Precision Blvd., Telford, TN, 37690, www.coarc.com; 817-283-2835.

Respiratory therapy is an allied health profession in which respiratory therapists work under the direction of a physician to evaluate, treat and care for patients with breathing disorders. This two-year program incorporates college classes with clinical practice. Students learn fundamental respiratory care concepts and to perform procedures with attention to critical detail while maintaining aseptic technique and appropriate safety precautions.

The program offers students clinical training in a variety of settings, including neonatology, critical care, pulmonary function, clinic and home care.

Graduates of the Respiratory Therapy program are eligible to sit for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Entry Level (CRT) credentialing examination (requirement for state licensing) and the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Advanced Level (RRT) credentialing examinations.

The mission of the Respiratory Therapy program is to prepare students as registered respiratory therapists

Technical standards: The physical activity (strength) for respiratory therapy (076.361-014) is classified as "medium" by the Department of Labor in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

Note: Many courses require prerequisites, corequisites and/or testing. See course descriptions for details.

General Policies

See important general policies in the beginning of this section on the performance-based Health Sciences application process, academic progress, advanced placement, background check, CPR certification, health insurance, health records, reinstatement, transportation, uniforms, and equipment.

Minimum Requirements to Apply to the Respiratory Therapy Program

1. CCRI application: Complete and submit a CCRI Application for Enrollment. General Studies should be the first choice; pre-Respiratory Therapy (RESP) should be the second choice.
2. High school transcript: An official copy of a high school or GED® transcript, including date of graduation, must be provided. If the applicant holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, the high school transcript may be waived; a college transcript must indicate completion and degree awarded.
3. CCRI uses a multiple measures approach to determine admission into Health Science programs (For example: High School and GED® transcripts, SAT, ACT, HESI A2 or ACCUPLACER scores). Placement can also be determined by taking college level English and Math courses. Anyone with a degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution may have this requirement waived following submission of the official college transcript. If using ACCUPLACER, the following guidelines are used.
   • Placement testing – Complete a standardized test (ACCUPLACER) issued by CCRI’s Advising Center. Students may NOT retake the ACCUPLACER test before completing the remedial course/courses. Note: For application purposes, ACCUPLACER testing can be waived for students who provide documentation of a bachelor’s degree or higher. Students are advised that individual departments may still require ACCUPLACER testing as a prerequisite for their courses.
   • Reading comprehension test must show competency of 90 or above in the Classic ACCUPLACER or a score of 259 or above in the Next Generation ACCUPLACER or students must complete Reading and Study Skills Program (ENGL 1002) with a grade of B- or better. Composition I for Speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) (ENGL 1300) will not substitute for Composition I (ENGL 1010).
4.  Complete courses required for admission with a grade of C+ or better:
   • Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIOL 2201)
   • Introduction to Respiratory Therapy (RESP 1000)
   • College Algebra (MATH 1200) 
   • (Statistics for the Health and Social Sciences (MATH 1175) or (Statistics for the Health and Social Sciences (MATH 1175C) or Introduction to College Mathematics (MATH 1025) also meet this requirement)
5. GPA: A grade point average of 2.5 or better for all college courses taken.
6. Health Sciences application: Complete and submit a performance-based Health Sciences application including a preadmission degree evaluation during the open enrollment period.
   • Important: Submission of a performance-based Health Sciences application does not guarantee acceptance to the program. Acceptance is based on points earned as listed in the program acceptance criteria point system. (See Dean of Health and Rehabilitative Sciences webpage.) At the time of admission, students must meet the current admission requirements. Students declining acceptance into the program for the semester offered must resubmit a performance-based Health Sciences application and meet the current admission requirements. Once accepted, students must attend a mandatory orientation conducted by the Allied and Rehabilitative Health Department.
7. Background check: Students are required to submit a background check when directed by notification from One Stop Student Services.

Program Requirements

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Obtain at least a grade of C+ in CHEM, MATH, BIOL, and RESP-coded courses