Respiratory Therapy (A45720)
Associate in Applied Science
The goal of the Respiratory Therapy program is to prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
The curriculum prepares graduates to operate within inter-professional teams and effectively communicate with clients/patients of various ages, ethnicities, and cultures. Application of problem solving strategies, applying ethical decision making, and understanding professional responsibilities are emphasized.
Graduates are eligible to complete the credentialing process through the National Board for Respiratory Care, which will qualify them for a license to practice in a variety of healthcare settings with responsibilities for assessment, treatment, management and education of patients with cardiopulmonary diseases.
Accreditation
The Rockingham Community College Respiratory Therapy Program, CoARC program # 200459, AAS, in Wentworth, NC is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
CoARC Programmatic OutcomesCoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented. The link listed above provides potential applicants and the public detailed data regarding student/graduate outcomes of this program and all other programs accredited by the (CoARC) Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
Phone: (817) 283-2835
Admissions Requirements
Respiratory Therapy Minimum Requirements
- Complete the RCC admissions process ( apply to RCC, submit all transcripts)
- Completed BIO 168 and BIO 169 or BIO 163 with a grade of “C” or higher. (Applicants may be enrolled in BIO 169 in the Summer 2025 semester.)
- Completed CHM 131 (with lab CHM 131A ), CHM 151 or MAT 143 or higher with a grade of “C” or higher. (Applicants may be enrolled in MAT 143, CHM 131 /A or CHM 151 in the Summer 2025 semester.)
- Eligible to take ENG 111 without a co-requisite.
- Have a 2.8 GPA or higher from all completed pre-requisite and general education courses. GPA calculation includes:
- Be in Satisfactory Academic Standing with Rockingham Community College (2.0 or higher RCC cumulative GPA).
- Essay– One page, double spaced, typed statement responding to the following questions: What makes you a strong candidate for the Respiratory Therapy program at Rockingham Community College? What is the biggest challenge you will face in the Respiratory Therapy program?
Important Information
It is your responsibility to read this page and the information it contains. You must meet all requirements to be considered for acceptance; however, completion of these items does not guarantee acceptance to the entering class.
Course Sequence
Respiratory Therapy Program
Program Prerequisites
Program Prerequisites: Students admitted to the Respiratory Therapy program must successfully complete the following courses with a “C” or higher prior to enrolling in the first Respiratory Therapy [RCP] class:
Course | Course Name | Class | Lab | Clinical | Credit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIO 163 | Basic Anatomy & Physiology | 4 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
or BIO 168 | Anatomy and Physiology I | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
CHM 131 | Introduction to Chemistry/Introduction to Chemistry Lab | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
CHM 131A | Introduction to Chemistry Lab or higher | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
or MAT 143 | Quantitative Literacy | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
Course | Course Name | Class | Lab | Clinical | Credit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ENG 111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
RCP 110 | Introduction to Respiratory Care | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
RCP 113 | RCP Pharmacology | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
RCP 114 | C-P Anatomy and Physiology | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Total | 11 | 3 | 0 | 12 |
Course | Course Name | Class | Lab | Clinical | Credit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RCP 111 | Therapeutics/Diagnostics | 4 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
RCP 115 | C-P Pathophysiology | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
RCP 146 | RCP Clinical Practice II | 0 | 0 | 18 | 6 |
Total | 6 | 3 | 18 | 13 |
Course | Course Name | Class | Lab | Clinical | Credit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RCP 123 | Special Practice Lab | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
RCP 152 | RCP Clinical Practice III | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
Total | 0 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
Course | Course Name | Class | Lab | Clinical | Credit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ENG 112 | Writing and Research in the Discipline | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
PSY 150 | General Psychology | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
RCP 210 | Critical Care Concepts | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
RCP 213 | Neonatal/Pediatric Concepts | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
RCP 236 | Clinical Practice IV | 0 | 0 | 18 | 6 |
Total | 11 | 3 | 18 | 18 |
Course | Course Name | Class | Lab | Clinical | Credit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RCP 211 | Advanced Monitoring/Procedures | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
RCP 215 | Career Preparation | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
RCP 223 | Special Practice Lab | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
RCP 246 | RCP Clinical Practice V | 0 | 0 | 18 | 6 |
– | Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Total | 6 | 9 | 18 | 15 |
Total Credits: 69-70
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective– Choose one of the following:
UGETC: ART 111, ART 114, ART 115, ENG 231, ENG 232, ENG 241, ENG 242, MUS 110, MUS 112, PHI 215, PHI 240
Gen Ed: HUM 115, REL 110
Employment Competencies
- Perform related therapeutic and diagnostic procedures in clinical practice with exposure to current and emerging practice settings required for a respiratory therapist entering the profession.
- Utilize effective interpersonal and communication skills to promote cardiopulmonary wellness and disease management within diverse population groups.
- Apply problem solving skills, ethical decision making, and professional responsibility according to the AARC Statement of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
- Complete the credentialing process through the National Board for Respiratory Care, which will qualify them for a license to practice in a variety of healthcare settings with responsibilities for assessment, treatment, management and education of patients with cardiopulmonary diseases.
- Adapt strategies for therapeutic and life-supporting procedures based upon patient assessment.
- Develop up-to-date therapeutic goals and respiratory care plans for patients with cardiopulmonary disease.
Employment Outlook
Program Costs
Respiratory Therapy Program Costs
Respiratory Therapy students should be prepared to incur additional expenses beyond tuition and college fees.
Outlined below are estimated expenses and are subject to change:
First Year | |
CPR Certification | $10 |
Medical Exam | $100 |
Immunizations | |
(Includes but not limited to Hep, B, TB, Flu, childhood immunizations) | $300 |
Student Accident Insurance | $6 |
Malpractice Insurance | $48 |
Uniforms | $205 |
Respiratory Therapy Books | $600 |
Drug Screen and Background Check | $114 |
Miscellaneous Supplies | $100 |
Second Year | |
Required Annual Immunizations | $100 |
Student Accident Insurance | $4 |
Malpractice Insurance | $32 |
NBRC Exams | $120 |
School Pin (optional) | $50-$100 |
Respiratory Therapy Books | $300 |
Miscellaneous Supplies | $100 |
Kettering Seminar | $425 |
Drug Screen | $80 |
ACLS | $80 |
Certification Exam | |
Therapist Multiple Choice Exam | $190 |
Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE) | $200 |
"This class was challenging but I really enjoyed it! The instructor was excellent and made the material extremely engaging and interesting. I look forward to taking future classes with this instructor!"-- Fall 2021 RT Student