Respiratory Therapy - Associate of Applied Science (Major Code - RTH)

The Respiratory Therapy Associate of Applied Science degree prepares students to become allied health professionals specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients suffering from cardiopulmonary disease. The program enables students to become competent in patient evaluation, mechanical ventilation treatment, and patient monitoring in a variety of clinical settings. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take national registry examinations to be certified as respiratory therapists.

Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to do the following:

Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills for efficient patient management and provide appropriate treatment interventions for patients with cardiopulmonary disease.
Demonstrate the skills needed to manage stressful situations that require quick thinking and synchronized coordination of varying activities.
Develop critical thinking skills to evaluate and treat patients with cardiopulmonary disease.
Demonstrate manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, fine and gross motor skills, and tactile ability, all required to perform duties as a respiratory therapist.
Demonstrate visual and auditory ability to assess a patient’s condition and administer effective therapy specific to cardiopulmonary disease.
Perform duties requiring extended period of standing, stooping, squatting, bending, pushing, and pulling.
Demonstrate efficient verbal and non-verbal communication skills with internal and external clients.
Set up, initiate, and maintain non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation.

Degree Map

Year 1 Program Prerequisites:

SPRING AND FALL SEMESTERS 23-25 CREDITS

BIO 156	Introductory Biology for Allied Health*	4
BIO 160	Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology**	4
ENG 101	Composition**	3
ENG 102	English Composition**	3
MAT 151	Precalculus Algebra**	4
	or higher (3-5 credits)
	Liberal arts	3
	Liberal arts	3

Liberal Arts: Select PSY 101, PSY 103, PSY 231, PSY 240, PSY 270, SOC 101, SOC 160, SOC 202, or SOC 230.

Year 2 Freshman:

SPRING SEMESTER 16 CREDITS

RTH 110	Introduction to Respiratory Care*	4
RTH 112	Respiratory Physiology*	4
RTH 121	Basic Therapeutics*	4
RTH 123	Basic Assessment and Monitoring*	4

FALL SEMESTER 13 CREDITS

RTH 124	Pharmacology for Respiratory Care	3
RTH 162	Principles of Mechanical Ventilation*	3
RTH 235	Clinical Procedures I	4
RTH 246	Cardiorespiratory Disorders I	3

Year 3 Sophomore:

SPRING SEMESTER 13 CREDITS

RTH 241	Critical Care Therapeutics*	4
RTH 243	Advanced Assessment and Monitoring*	4
RTH 245	Clinical Procedures II	5

FALL SEMESTER 14 CREDITS

RTH 251	Advanced and Specialty Therapeutics*	5
RTH 255	Clinical Procedures III	5
RTH 256	Cardiorespiratory Disorders II*	3
RTH 257	Clinical Applications and Professional Development*	1