
Respiratory Care
Associate of Applied Science
Develop skills through classroom, laboratory and clinical experience to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT). Pima’s Respiratory Care program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
Limited Admissions Program: Students must meet the preparatory coursework and any other prerequisites and apply to the program. Depending on available spots, students may be placed on a waiting list before starting the program. See Program Admission or an advisor for details.
Title IV Financial Aid eligible: Yes
Location
West Campus
Contact Information
Division of Critical Care
Dean: 520.206.6661
Lead Faculty: 520.206.3106
Program Information
Similar Programs
Careers
Completing this program can lead to employment in a variety of different careers. Here are some examples of occupations related to this program with associated Pima County-based annual median wages. Some careers may require additional education or training. Source: EMSI
Occupation | Annual Median Wage |
Respiratory Therapist | $49,525 |
Academic Options
This program may apply toward a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS). See an advisor
Program Requirements 2020-2021
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
These courses are not eligible for Title IV financial aid. Students must have completed the following (with grades posted) before they may begin the application process.
Program Prerequisites | Credits | |
International students must score higher than 450 on the institutional TOEFL (Test of English as a Second Language) | ||
MAT 097 Intermediate Algebra or placement into MAT 151 or higher | 0-3 | |
Subtotal | 0-3 |
Preparatory Coursework
Students must have completed the following (with grades or C or better posted) before they may begin the application process
Preparatory Coursework | Credits | |
REA 112HP or REA 112 or Accuplacer reading placement score of 92 or higher | 0-4 | |
BIO 156IN OR BIO 201IH OR 201IN OR BIO 156 bypass exam score of 70% or higher | 0-4 | |
HRP 100 or STU 100 | 1 | |
Subtotal | 1-9 |
General Education Requirements
General Education requirements are fulfilled by core or support courses.*
Required Core Courses
A grade of C or better is required for graduation.
Course # | Course Title | Credits |
HCA 152 | Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) | 1 |
RTH 110 | Introduction to Respiratory Care | 2 |
RTH 112 | Respiratory Physiology | 4 |
RTH 121/121LB | Basic Therapeutics/Lab | 4 |
RTH 123/123LB | Basic Assessment and Monitoring/Lab | 4 |
RTH 124 | Pharmacology for Respiratory Care | 3 |
RTH 135LC | Clinical Procedures I | 4 |
RTH 156 | Cardiopulmonary Diseases I | 3 |
RTH 162 | Principles of Mechanical Ventilation | 3 |
RTH 241/241LB | Application of Mechanical Ventilation/Lab | 4 |
RTH 243/243LB | Advanced Assessment and Monitoring/Lab | 4 |
RTH 245LC | Clinical Procedures II | 4 |
RTH 251/251LB | Neonatal and Pediatric Specialty Therapeutics/Lab | 5 |
RTH 255LC | Clinical Procedures III | 4 |
RTH 256 | Cardiopulmonary Diseases II | 2 |
RTH 257LB | Clinical Applications and Professional Development | 1 |
Subtotal | 52 |
Required Support Courses
Course # | Course Title | Credits |
BIO 205IN | Microbiology [SUN# BIO 2205] | 4 |
AIS/ANT 206 or HIS 141 or HUM 260 |
Contemporary Native Americans of the Southwest History of the United States I [SUN# HIS 1131] Intercultural Perspectives |
3 |
PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology [SUN# PSY 1101] | 4 |
WRT 101 | English Composition I [SUN# ENG 1101] | 3 |
WRT 102 | English Composition II [SUN# ENG 1102] | 3 |
Subtotal | 16 | |
Total (not including program prerequisites or preparatory coursework) | 68 | |
Total (including program prerequisites and preparatory coursework) |
69-80 |
* Other general education requirements are fulfilled by required prerequisites courses: Communication - WRT 101; Arts and Humanities - AIS/ANT 206 or HIS 141 or HUM 260; Social and Behavioral Science - PSY 101; Mathematics and Science - BIO 205IN and Math prerequisite; Other Requirement - WRT 102; Special Requirement (C or G) - HIS 141 or HUM 260.
Respiratory Interest Program/Major code: AOA9ALA/9RTH
Respiratory Program/Major code: AASRESPTHERA/RTH1
www.pima.edu/respiratory-aas