Respiratory Care
Associate of Applied Science
Develop skills through classroom and clinical experience to become a respiratory therapist. Complete this program by taking classes in a combination of weekdays and evenings/weekends. Pima Community College’s Respiratory Care program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
Program/Major Codes: Special Admissions Requirement – See an advisor
What can I do with this degree?
Career Options: Apply to take the exam given by the National Board of Respiratory Care to become a certified respiratory therapist. This degree also qualifies graduates to take the registered respiratory therapist exam. Become licensed in Arizona. Work in hospitals, special-care facilities and other settings taking care of cardiopulmonary patients.
Academic Options: While this degree is not intended for transfer to a 4-year university, many of the courses are transferable.
Program Requirements
Students must receive a C grade or better in all core courses to progress to the next semester. Course substitutions are not accepted in the Respiratory Care program.
Program Prerequisites
The following prerequisites must be fulfilled (with grades of C or better posted) before students may begin the Program Application process.
| Credits | ||
| REA 112 Critical Reading OR Reading assessment score of 95 or higher | 0-4 | |
| MAT 122 Intermediate Algebra OR assessment score at MAT 151 or higher |
0-3 | |
| CHM 130/130LB/130IN [SUN# CHM 1130] OR Chemistry assessment score of 34 or higher |
0-5 | |
| Within the last six years with a grade of C or better BIO 160 Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology OR all of the following: BIO 156, 201IN [SUN# BIO 2201] and 202IN [SUN# BIO 2202] |
4-12 | |
| BIO 205IN Microbiology | 4 | |
| PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology | 4 | |
| WRT 101 Writing I [SUN# ENG 1101] | 3 | |
| WRT 102 Writing II [ SUN# ENG 1102] | 3 | |
| Subtotal | 18-38 | |
General Education Requirements
This section lists general education requirements that are not fulfilled by core or support courses.*
| Credits | ||
| Humanities and Social Science Requirement |
3 | |
| Subtotal | 3 | |
Required Core Courses
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
| HCA 152 | Advanced Cardiac Life Support | 2 |
| RTH 110 | Introduction to Respiratory Care | 4 |
| RTH 112 | Respiratory Physiology | 4 |
| RTH 121/121LB | Basic Therapeutics | 5 |
| RTH 123/123LB | Basic Assessment and Monitoring | 4 |
| RTH 124 | Pharmacology for Respiratory Care | 3 |
| RTH 125LC | Clinical Procedures I | 1 |
| RTH 135LC | Clinical Procedures II | 3 |
| RTH 162 | Principles of Mechanical Ventilation | 3 |
| RTH 241/241LB | Critical Care Therapeutics | 5 |
| RTH 243/243LB | Advanced Assessment and Monitoring | 5 |
| RTH 245LC | Clinical Procedures III | 4 |
| RTH 246 | Cardiorespiratory Disorders I | 3 |
| RTH 251/251LB | Specialty Therapeutics | 5 |
| RTH 255LC | Clinical Procedures IV | 4 |
| RTH 256 | Cardiorespiratory Disorders II | 3 |
| RTH 257LB | Clinical Applications and Professional Development | 1 |
| Subtotal | 59 | |
| Total Credits as Displayed | 80-100 | |
* Other general education requirements are fulfilled by required prerequisites courses: Communication - WRT 101, WRT 102; Analysis and Critical Thinking - MAT 122 (or assessment), BIO 160IN and 205IN; Humanities and Social Science - PSY 101 fulfills 4 credits in the Social Science category – select a Humanities course marked with a “C” (cultural diversity) or “G” (global awareness), or select a Leadership and Ethics course.