Respiratory Care Technology

Helping Others Breathe More Easily

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Program Duration: 2 Year Program
Degree Type: Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Total Credit Hours: 70

Instructor explains equipment as one student plays patient and one student plays therapist.

About This Program

Our Respiratory Care Technology program will teach you the skills you need to become a respiratory therapist. You will learn how to assess a patient’s condition, develop an appropriate care plan, handle technical equipment, make scientific calculations, and work independently to assist physicians in diagnosing and treating patients. Our program also offers lab training, classroom study and supervised experience in hospitals and health care settings, as well as preparation to take the national board exams for licensure required to fill a job in this field. Upon completing the program, you will be eligible to take the entry-level Certified Respiratory Therapist exam, as well as additional credentials, including Registered Respiratory Therapist, Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist, Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist, and Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist.

The Respiratory Care Technology program is accredited by the Committee for Accreditation of Respiratory Care.

Program Admission and Requirements

Join Us for an Information Session

Meet program faculty, ask questions and learn how you can accelerate your career in health care by becoming a respiratory care practitioner. The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Philadelphia region more than $76,000—learn how you can prepare for a career as a respiratory therapist. Choose between these dates: Nov. 6 and Nov. 20, 2024. All sessions will be held on Main Campus in the West Building, Room W1-01 at 2 p.m.

RSVP for an Information Session

Quick Information

General Contact Call (215) 751-8010

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Transfer Opportunities

Public university in central Pennsylvania offering diverse programs.

Healthcare and science-focused institution in Philadelphia.

Affordable, flexible education with a wide range of programs and support for student success.

View all transfer opportunities

Semester 1

This is a select program. Students must have completed BIOL 109 with a grade of "C" or better before beginning the program.
A GPA of 3.0 or higher is required to continue in the program.

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
RESP 100 - Introduction to Respiratory Care Technologies	4 credits	RESP 100 is a prerequisite for RESP 102. Only offered in the fall semester. Must be taken concurrently with RESP 101. Students are assigned to perform clinical competency check-offs throughout the semester that monitors their success.	Major Course
RESP 101 - Respiratory Care Techniques	4 credits	RESP 101 is a prerequisite for RESP 102. Must earn a grade of "C" or better. Only offered in the fall semester. Must be taken concurrently with RESP 100. Required to receive a grade of "C" or better to register for spring semester. Students are assigned to perform clinical competency check-offs throughout the semester that monitors their success. Prerequisites: RESP 100 with a grade of "C" or better, must be taken concurrently	Major Course
ENGL 101 - English Composition I or ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors)	3 credit	Prerequisite for ENGL 102. Required to receive a grade of "C" or better to register for ENGL 102	Writing, Research, Info Lit 1
BIOL 110 - Anat & Phys II	4 credit	Must receive a grade of "C" or better Completion of BIOL 109 with a grade of "C" or better.	Scientific Reasoning
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra	3 credit	Prerequisite for CHEM 110 Meet with an advisor to determine if you should take a higher level math course.	Quantitative Reasoning

Notes:

This program is designed to provide students with the option of entering the workforce or transferring to a bachelor's degree program after earning their associate's degree
Follow this course schedule each semester and you’ll earn your associate’s degree in two years
Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register.

Semester 2

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
RESP 102 - Respiratory Pharmacology, Modalities, and Airway Management	4 credits	Prerequisite for RESP 103. Only offered in the spring semester. Prerequisites: RESP 100 and RESP 101 with grade of "C" or better. Required to receive a grade of "C" or better to register for summer semester. Students are assigned to perform clinical competency check-offs throughout the semester that monitors their success	Major Course
CIS 103 - Introduction to Information Technology	3 credits	Students must earn a grade of "C" or better demonstrating they have met minimum requirements of course.	Technological Competency
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors)	3 credit	Prerequisite of ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better. Students should visit the English learning lab for support on writing assignments.	Writing, Research, Info Lit 2

Notes:

Don’t forget to meet with an advisor and review this schedule when registering for your classes
Start planning for transfer:
- Did you know our dual admissions partnerships include scholarship opportunities?
- Learn more about our transfer agreements and use our interactive search tool for your program’s transfer options
Make sure you are using Starfish Connect to track and improve your grades
Stay on the path to success: take advantage of academic support services offered by Counseling the Learning Labs, Academic Advising and more
Now is a good time to start financial planning for next semester:
- Manage your financial aid
- Take advantage of our payment plans and know the payment deadlines
- Apply for a scholarship— You only have to complete one application to be considered for all available scholarships

Summer 1

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
CHEM 110 - Introductory Chemistry or CHEM 101 - General Chemistry I	4 credits	Students must place into FNMT 118 before taking this CHEM 110.	Major Course
RESP 103 - Introduction to Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology	3 credits	Prerequisite for RESP 104. Must receive a grade of "C" or better. Only offered in the early summer session. Prerequisites: RESP 102. Students are assigned to perform clinical competency check-offs throughout the semester that monitors their success.	Major Course

Summer 2

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
RESP 104 - Clinical Practicum I	3 credits	Prerequisite for RESP 210 and RESP 220. Only offered in the late summer session.	Major Course

Semester 3

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
RESP 210 - Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology I	4 credits	Prerequisite for RESP 211 and RESP 221. Must receive a grade of "C" or better. Only offered in the Fall semester Prerequisites: RESP 104; co-requisite: RESP 220 (must be taken concurrently)	Major Course
RESP 220 - Advanced Respiratory Care	5 credits	Only offered in the fall semester. Prerequisites: RESP 104; co-requisite: RESP 210. Prerequisites: BIOL 241 with a grade of "C" or better, RESP 210 with a grade of "C" or better, RESP 211 which must be taken concurrently	Major Course
BIOL 241 - Principles of Microbiology	4 credits	Must earn a grade of "C" or better in the course. Prerequisites: BIOL 106 or BIOL 107; BIOL 109 or BIOL 123 with a grade of "C" or better	Major Course

Notes:

Meet with an advisor and review this schedule when registering for your classes
Make sure you are using Starfish Connect to track and improve your grades
Stay on the path to success: take advantage of academic support services offered by Counseling the Learning Labs, Academic Advising and more
Start financial planning for next semester:
- Manage your financial aid
- Take advantage of our payment plans and know the payment deadlines
- Apply for a scholarship—You only have to complete one application to be considered for all available scholarships

Semester 4

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
RESP 211 - Cardiopulmonary	4 credits	Prerequisite for RESP 299. Must receive a grade of "C" or better. Only offered in the spring semester. Prerequisite: RESP 210 with grade of "C" or better; co-requisite: RESP 221. Required to receive a grade of "C" or better to register for early summer semester.	Major Course
RESP 221 - Adult Critical Care	6 credits	Prerequisite for RESP 299. Must earn a grade of "C" or better in the course. Only offered in the spring semester. Prerequisite: RESP 210 with grade of "C" or better; co-requisite: RESP 211. Required to receive a grade of "C" or better to register for early summer semester.	Major Course
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking	3 credits	Prerequisite: ENGL 101, which may be taken concurrently	Oral Communication/Creative Expression
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology (Honors)	3 credits	Most transfer institutions require a sociology course.	Cultural Analysis & Interpretation

Notes:

Congratulations, this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
Finalize your transfer plans:
- Meet with a counselor at your selected dual admissions transfer college
- Meet with one of our College’s counselors or an advisor to review transfer requirements
Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship
Visit Career Connections to learn about internships and your future career possibilities

Summer 1

Course Number and Name	Credits	Advisory Notes	Course Type
RESP 299 - : Advanced Respiratory Care Procedures III	3credits	Must earn a grade of "C" or better. Only offered in early summer session. Prerequisites: RESP 211 and RESP 221 with a grade of "C" or better.	Major Course

Three respiratory therapy students pose for the camera in a classroom.

Launch Your Career in Respiratory Care Technology

Respiratory Therapist est. salary $76,915

Learn More

**EMSI Data, 2022; The greater Philadelphia region; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Career Outlook

$76,915

Median Salary of a Respiratory Therapist

925

Number of Jobs in the Region

+20.0%

10-year Job Outlook in the Region for Respiratory Therapist

Featured Career

Respiratory Therapist

Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures.

Starting Pay: $59,358.

Therapist works with patient checking her breathing.

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