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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 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 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 Outcomes

CoARC 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.

CoARC
264 Precision Blvd.
Telford, TN  37690
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:

Program Prerequistes
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
First Fall Semester Course List
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
First Spring Semester Course List
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
Summer Semester Course List
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
Second Fall Semester Course List
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
Second Spring Semester Course List
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

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

  1. 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.
  2. Utilize effective interpersonal and communication skills to promote cardiopulmonary wellness and disease management within diverse population groups.
  3. Apply problem solving skills, ethical decision making, and professional responsibility according to the AARC Statement of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
  4. 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.
  5. Adapt strategies for therapeutic and life-supporting procedures based upon patient assessment.
  6. Develop up-to-date therapeutic goals and respiratory care plans for patients with cardiopulmonary disease.

Employment Outlook

Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 14% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth in the middle-aged and elderly population will lead to an increased incidence of respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia, requiring more respiratory therapists to care for this population.

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

General Education Outcomes

Rockingham Community College has three general education outcomes:

Communication: Students will communicate using the conventions appropriate for the intended academic or professional audience.

Information Literacy: Students will locate, evaluate, and use appropriate information for academic and professional tasks.

Critical Thinking: Students will analyze information and ideas and develop reasoned solutions to academic or professional problems. 

Pass Rates by Year
"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


Address

Rockingham Community College
PO Box 38
215 Wrenn Memorial Rd.
Wentworth, NC 27375

Hours

Monday to Thursday:
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

Contact

336-342-4261
336-349-9986 (fax)
info@rockinghamcc.edu