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 develop competencies 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 required for certification 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 General Education and Core Requirements:
SPRING AND FALL SEMESTERS 23-24 CREDITS
BIO 156 | Introductory Biology for Allied Health![This course has laboratory or studio fees](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/lab.png) | 4 |
BIO 160 | Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology![This course may be offered online](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/mouse.png) ![This course has laboratory or studio fees](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/lab.png) | 4 |
ENG 101 | Composition![SUN course](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/sun_icon.png) ![This course may be offered online](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/mouse.png) | 3 |
ENG 102 | English Composition![SUN course](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/sun_icon.png) ![This course may be offered online](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/mouse.png) | 3 |
MAT 142 | College Mathematics![SUN course](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/sun_icon.png) ![This course may be offered online](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/mouse.png) | 3 |
| or higher (3-4 credits) | |
| Liberal arts | 3 |
| Liberal arts | 3 |
Liberal Arts: Select two PSY or SOC courses.
Year 2 Freshman:
FALL SEMESTER 14 CREDITS
RTH 112 | Respiratory Physiology![This course has laboratory or studio fees](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/lab.png) | 3 |
RTH 162 | Principles of Mechanical Ventilation![This course has laboratory or studio fees](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/lab.png) | 3 |
RTH 235 | Clinical Procedures I![This course has laboratory or studio fees](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/lab.png) | 5 |
RTH 246 | Cardiorespiratory Disorders I | 3 |
SPRING SEMESTER 13 CREDITS
RTH 110 | Introduction to Respiratory Care![This course has laboratory or studio fees](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/lab.png) | 3 |
RTH 121 | Basic Therapeutics![This course has laboratory or studio fees](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/lab.png) | 4 |
RTH 123 | Basic Assessment and Monitoring![This course has laboratory or studio fees](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/lab.png) | 3 |
RTH 124 | Pharmacology for Respiratory Care | 3 |
Year 3 Sophomore:
SPRING SEMESTER 13 CREDITS
RTH 241 | Critical Care Therapeutics![This course has laboratory or studio fees](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/lab.png) | 4 |
RTH 245 | Clinical Procedures II | 5 |
RTH 251 | Advanced and Specialty Therapeutics![This course has laboratory or studio fees](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/lab.png) | 4 |
FALL SEMESTER 13 CREDITS
RTH 243 | Advanced Assessment and Monitoring | 4 |
RTH 255 | Clinical Procedures III | 6 |
RTH 256 | Cardiorespiratory Disorders II![This course has laboratory or studio fees](/Institutions/Cochise-College/images/lab.png) | 3 |
TOTAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS 76-77 CREDITS