Respiratory Therapy

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.

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:
  • BIO 168, BIO 169
  • CHM 131 /A
  • ENG 111, ENG 112
  • PSY 150
  • Humanities elective (  ART 111,  ART 114,  ART 115,  HUM 115,  MUS 110,  MUS 112,  PHI 215, or  PHI 240  )
• 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.

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

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 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.

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