Respiratory Therapy (A.A.S.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

A.A.S. Degree: 76 Hours

The Respiratory Therapy program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). The two-year program graduates are eligible for the national registry exam leading to a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and eligible for state licensure as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. Registered Respiratory Therapists may work in hospital settings with critical and noncritical patients or for home health companies who specialize in respiratory care and equipment.

This is a limited and selective enrollment program which admits a new class each summer. Interested persons should contact the Allied Health office for applications and procedures. The application deadline for the program is February 15.

Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Therapy (CoARC), 1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021-4244, (817) 283-2835.

Pre-Admission Requirements - 30 Credit Hours

BCS-145 Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: 4 or BCS 165
BCS-146 Anatomy and Physiology II Credits: 4 or BCS 205
BCS-200 Microbiology Credits: 4
RST-105 Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology Credits: 3
COM-100 Introduction to Communication Credits: 3 (or higher)
ENG-101 Composition I Credits: 3 or ENG 102
MTH-110 Intermediate Algebra Credits: 4 (or higher)
PLS-101 American Government and Politics Credits: 3 or HST 120
Social Science Elective : Credits 3

Respiratory Therapy Program Requirements - 46 Credit Hours

RST-210 Respiratory Equipment and Therapeutics Credits: 3
RST-215 Respiratory Pharmacology Credits: 2
RST-223 Mechanical Ventilation Credits: 4
RST-226 Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics Credits: 2
RST-228 Pulmonary Diseases Credits: 3
RST-240 Pediatric Respiratory Therapy Credits: 3
RST-242 Applied Cariopulmonary Pathology Credits: 3
RST-251 Special Procedures in Respiratory Care Credits: 2
RST-253 Advanced Respiratory Therapy Theory Credits: 2
RST-281 Clinical Practicum I Credits: 4
RST-282 Clinical Practicum II Credits: 8
RST-283 Clinical Practicum III Credits: 8

Note:

As required by Missouri law, all degree programs must include instruction in both the U.S. and the Missouri State Constitution. This can be satisfied by either PLS 101 or HST 120 .

If you take BCS 165 in semester 1, you must take CHM 101 semester 1 as it is a prerequisite to BCS 205 in semester.
BCS 165 and BCS 205 may be substituted for BCS 145 and BCS 146 .