Respiratory Care, Associate of Science
Career Pathway: Health Sciences
Location(s): General education courses are available at all BC locations. Program specific courses for this program are offered at North Campus.
Program Entrance Requirements: The Associate of Science in Respiratory Care is a limited access program. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission into the program. Students are required to complete a supplemental application and meet specific criteria. There are a limited number of students admitted to the program each year. Students can also access admissions requirements online.
Program Description: Respiratory Care is a specialty dealing with the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with cardiorespiratory diseases. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). The degree satisfies the requirements established by the National Board for Respiratory Care and qualifies the graduate as a candidate for the national registry examination.
Additional Program Information
One cohort of 30 students is admitted each August. A final grade of "C" or higher must be achieved in each Respiratory Care course for continuance in the Program. A student who withdraws or is withdrawn from a Respiratory Care course will be allowed re-entry into a Health Sciences Program based upon space availability. Only one re-entry will be allowed. The student who re-enters must maintain a “C” or higher in each Respiratory Care course to continue in a Program. The student receiving a grade of “D” or “F” in any course after re-entry will result in permanent dismissal from the BC Respiratory Care program.
After admission, students are required to complete the Basic Life Support (CAE0062) certificate course. The due dates for the course are given in the mandatory, general orientation meeting prior to the beginning of the program.
- Respiratory Care, Associate of Science 2132
- Bachelor of Science
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended General Education Courses | ||
| ENC1101 | COMPOSITION I 1 | 3.00 |
| BSC2085 | HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I | 3.00 |
| BSC2085L | HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I LABORATORY | 1.00 |
| CHM1032 | CHEMISTRY FOR HEALTH SCIENCES | 3.00 |
| MAC1105 | COLLEGE ALGEBRA 2 | 3.00 |
| or MAC1105C | COREQUISITE COLLEGE ALGEBRA | |
| or MGF1106 | FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICAL REASONING | |
| RET1024 | INTRODUCTION TO RESPIRATORY CARE | 1.00 |
| Apply to the Program (By June 3rd) | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| RET1026 | RESPIRATORY THERAPY EQUIPMENT | 3.00 |
| RET1026L | RESPIRATORY THERAPY EQUIPMENT LAB | 1.00 |
| RET1485 | RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY | 3.00 |
| HSC1531 | MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY | 3.00 |
| BSC2086 | HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II | 3.00 |
| BSC2086L | HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY II LABORATORY | 1.00 |
| RET1264 | MECHANICAL VENTILATION | 3.00 |
| RET1264L | MECHANICAL VENTILATION LAB | 1.00 |
| RET1484 | CARDIO PULMONARY PATHOPHYSIOLOGY | 3.00 |
| RET1832L | RESPIRATORY THERAPY CLINIC I | 3.00 |
| RET1350 | CARDIOPULMONARY PHARMACOLOGY | 3.00 |
| RET2418 | CARDIOPULMONARY DIAGNOSTICS AND TECHNIQUES | 2.00 |
| RET1833L | RESPIRATORY THERAPY CLINIC II | 2.00 |
| MCB2010 | MICROBIOLOGY | 3.00 |
| MCB2010L | MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY | 1.00 |
| RET2834L | RESPIRATORY THERAPY CLINIC III | 3.00 |
| RET2265 | ADVANCED RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT | 2.00 |
| RET2265L | ADVANCED RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT LAB | 1.00 |
| RET2714 | PEDIATRIC AND NEONATAL RESPIRATORY CARE | 3.00 |
| RET2414 | RESPIRATORY THERAPY PULMONARY FUNCTION | 1.00 |
| RET2271L | CARDIOPULMONARY FUNCTION AND SIMULATION | 1.00 |
| RET2934 | SELECTED TOPICS IN RESPIRATORY CARE | 1.00 |
| RET2835L | RESPIRATORY THERAPY CLINIC IV | 3.00 |
| RET2286C | MANAGEMENT OF THE INTENSIVE CARE PATIENT | 2.00 |
| RET2601 | RESPIRATORY THERAPY MANAGEMENT | 1.00 |
| AMH2020 | HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES SINCE 1877 | 3.00 |
| or POS2041 | NATIONAL GOVERNMENT | |
| GE Course | General Education Speech | 3.00 |
| GE Course | General Education Humanities Core | 3.00 |
| Total Credits | 76 | |
- 1
Counts as writing credit.
- 2
MAC1105C COREQUISITE COLLEGE ALGEBRA is a 5-credit course.
Notes: See General Education course information here.
In accordance with Florida Statute and Florida Administrative Code, students may need to satisfy the Civic Literacy Graduation Requirement. Visit the Civic Literacy Graduation Requirement page at broward.edu/civic-literacy.
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor to create a personalized educational plan.
Program Highlights
Credit for Prior Learning
Accelerate your path to completion with these options:
- Credit by exam
- Earned industry certifications
- Prior Learning Assessment
- And much more…
Related Industry Certifications
Upon completing this program, graduates will be eligible to sit for the following industry certifications/licenses: N/A
Get an Internship
After completing your first year of coursework make sure to visit Employment Solutions for internship opportunities and helpful tools like virtual job shadow, to help take your career to the next level!
Median Wage and Job Growth Outlook
Broward College has Career Coach! It is designed to help you find a good career by providing the most current local data on wages, employment, job postings, and associated education and training.
Fund Your Education
This program is Financial Aid eligible. Scholarships may be available. This program is part of the Career Source Broward ITA List.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates from this program will:
- Demonstrate competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
- Demonstrate proficiency of entry-level Respiratory Therapist skills.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate and use interpersonal skills effectively.
- Demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills needed to accomplish the goals and objectives of respiratory care clinical practice.
- Demonstrate proficiency with professionalism in terms of service, clinical outcomes, and safety.
- Demonstrate the ability to assess and perform entry-level respiratory clinical patient care.
- Competently communicate with clarity to a group of his / her peers.