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Respiratory Care Technology Degree

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Degree: Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Program Description: This program is designed to prepare students for employment in healthcare facilities where respiratory care is administered as part of the total patient care. Theory, as well as lab and clinical skills related to cardiac and pulmonary pathophysiology are included in the coursework. In addition, the program emphasizes specialized training in areas such as pulmonary and cardiac medications, medical gases, humidity/aerosol therapy, positive pressure breathing, incentive spirometry, patient assessment, postural drainage, percussion/vibration, assessment of diseases and conditions, critical respiratory care, advanced critical care monitoring, pulmonary function testing, and pediatric and neonatal respiratory care. Program graduates are qualified to take the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) examination.

Career Information and Occupational Outlook:

Length of Program: 128 Credit Hours

Program Admission Requirements:

  1. Present official documentation of an earned high school diploma or official GED Scores.
  2. Be at least 17 years old.
  3. Submit Letter of Intent form by November 1st every year for winter quarter admission.
  4. Complete prerequisite courses by the end of fall quarter.
  5. Provide official results of COMPASS obtained within the past 5 years.
  6. Supply current, documented immunization record prior to program admission.
  7. Successfully complete Level I Background check before interview

Estimated Cost:

Estimated costs are in addition to Tuition and Fees.
Cost of physical exam and immunizations will vary.

NBRC SAE Examination Fee $140.00
Data Arc License Fee 60.00
Level I Background check48.50
Student Professional Liability Insurance 17.50
Uniforms and Accessories250.00
Program Pin50.00
Registry Seminar 350.00
ACLS Fee 10.00
NRP Fee 10.00
CPR Fee TBD
Physical Exam w/PPD Varies

Program Sequence

*A minimum grade of "C" is required in all courses. Failure to do so will delay progression in program.*

Prerequisite Courses

*The following courses must be completed by the end of Fall quarter to be eligible for admission into the Respiratory Care Technology program. Applicants are accepted into the program via a "Selected Admission" process. A new class starts every Winter Quarter.

Quarter Course Description Contact Hours Credit Hours
1st MAT 191 College Algebra 5 5
ENG 191 Composition & Rhetoric I 5 5
BIO 193* Anatomy & Physiology I 7 5
  Total 17 15
2nd ENG 193 Composition & Rhetoric II 5 5
BIO 194* Anatomy & Physiology II 7 5
CHM 191* Chemistry I 7 5
  Total 19 15
3rd PSY 191 Introduction to Psychology 5 5
PHY 190 Introduction to Physics 7 5
BIO 197 Introduction to Microbiology 7 5
  Total 19 15

Core Curriculum

*The following 6 quarters are sequential and must be taken in this order. Failure to take in sequence will delay student for one year.

Quarter Course Description Contact Hours Credit Hours
4th Winter RTT 193 Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology 10 10
SCT 100 Introduction to Microcomputers 3 3
  Total 13 13
5th Spring RTT 111 Pharmacology 5 5
RTT 112 Introduction to Respiratory Therapy 5 5
RTT 113 Respiratory Lab I 10 5
  Total 20 15
6th Summer RTT 209 Clinical Practice I 8 2
RTT 210 Clinical Practice II 8 2
RTT 211 Pulmonary Disease 5 5
RTT 212 Critical Respiratory Care 5 5
  Total 26 14
7th Fall RTT 213 Mechanical Ventilation & Airway Care 9 5
RTT 216 Pediatric & Neonatal Respiratory Care 3 3
RTT 218 Clinical Practice III 8 2
RTT 219 Clinical Practice IV 8 2
  Total 31 12
8th Winter RTT 214 Advanced Critical Care Monitoring 2 2
RTT 215 Pulmonary Function Testing 2 1
RTT 220 Clinical Practice V 16 5
RTT 227 Rehabilitation & Home Health Care 2 1
SPC 191 Fundamentals of Speech 5 5
  Total 27 14
9th Spring RTT 217 Advanced Respiratory Care Seminar 5 5
RTT 222 Clinical Practice VI 36 10
  Total 41 15

The content of this page does not constitute a contract between Columbus Technical College and its students on either a collective or individual basis. Course curriculum, fee changes, or additional unforeseen changes may occur after publication. Course offerings are contingent upon adequate enrollments. Please contact the school offering the program for the most current information. Academic advising is available to students prior to registration; this information is not a substitute for consulting with an academic advisor.

Last updated: March 20, 2008.