Associate in Science - Respiratory Care
Previous Degree Required: HS Diploma
Eligible for Financial Aid: Yes
Delivery Method(s): On-Campus
Location(s): Melbourne
Additional Limited Access Application Process Required: Yes
Program Testing Requirements: Assessment in Reading, Writing, and Math
Academic Community: HSCI
Program Code: RCAS
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code: 51.0908
Florida Department of Education CIP Code: 1351090800
- Leads to State or Organizational License or Certification: Respiratory Care Therapist
- Cost Associated with taking the exam: $390
- Where to take the exam: Student applies to National Board of Respiratory Care. Once approved, a list of testing sites is sent to the student.
The program prepares graduates to work in Respiratory Care as a Respiratory Therapist. Respiratory Care is a specialty dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. The degree satisfies the requirements established by the National Board of Respiratory Care and qualifies the graduate as a candidate for the national registry examination. Graduates may apply for state licensure upon completion of the program.
The Eastern Florida State College Respiratory Care Program, CoARC program number 200618, Associate in Science, Melbourne Campus holds Continuing Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com). This status signifies that the program has demonstrated ongoing compliance with the Standards determined by a satisfactory Continuing Accreditation self-study report and on-site visit, and other documentation required by the CoARC. It is recognized by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) toward eligibility for the Respiratory Care Credentialing Examination(s).
Refer to the Associate in Science Degree Programs overview to find information about admission, graduation, general education and other requirements. Students who need technical electives will work with a bachelor’s advisor to determine the courses best suited to their plan of study.
Visit the program page for more information or call 321-433-7575.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Courses | ||
| BSCC 1010 | General Biology 1 | 4 |
| ENC 1101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| MAC 1105 | College Algebra | 3 |
| Humanities Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Science/Core-Civic Literacy Requirement | 3 | |
| Major Courses | ||
| RET 1024 | Introduction to Respiratory Care | 2 |
| RET 1026 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care | 3 |
| RET 1264 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 2 | 3 |
| RET 1265 | Mechanical Ventilation | 4 |
| RET 1293 | Cardiopulmonary Medicine | 3 |
| RET 1414 | Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics | 3 |
| RET 1485 | Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| RET 1931 | Special Topics in Respiratory Care | 2 |
| RET 2280 | Critical Medicine in Respiratory Care | 3 |
| RET 2350 | Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology | 3 |
| RET 2483 | Patient Assessment and Interaction | 2 |
| RET 2714 | Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care | 3 |
| RETL 1832 | Clinical Respiratory Care 1 | 1 |
| RETL 1833 | Clinical Respiratory Care 2 | 2 |
| RETL 2876 | Clinical Respiratory Care 3 | 2 |
| RETL 2877 | Clinical Respiratory Care 4 | 2 |
| RETL 2934 | Respiratory Care Seminar | 2 |
| Support Courses | ||
| BSCC 2093 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| BSCC 2094 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
| CHM 1015 | Introduction to Chemistry | 3 |
| HSC 1531 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| MCBC 2010 | Microbiology for Health Sciences | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours | 76 | |
- Satisfy the civic literacy competency requirement
A grade of "C" or higher is necessary in each major course for progression and graduation.
Course Sequence
The following sequence is recommended. However, courses may not be offered in this order, so it is important that you work with an advisor to plan your schedule based on your specific needs.
| Term 1 | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| BSCC 1010 | General Biology 1 | 4 |
| ENC 1101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| MAC 1105 | College Algebra | 3 |
| RET 1024 | Introduction to Respiratory Care | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| BSCC 2093 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 | 4 |
| HSC 1531 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| RET 1026 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care | 3 |
| RET 1485 | Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| RET 2350 | Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| BSCC 2094 | Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 | 4 |
| RET 1264 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 2 | 3 |
| RET 1265 | Mechanical Ventilation | 4 |
| RET 2483 | Patient Assessment and Interaction | 2 |
| RETL 1832 | Clinical Respiratory Care 1 | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| CHM 1015 | Introduction to Chemistry | 3 |
| RET 1414 | Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics | 3 |
| RETL 1833 | Clinical Respiratory Care 2 | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 8 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| MCBC 2010 | Microbiology for Health Sciences | 4 |
| RET 1293 | Cardiopulmonary Medicine | 3 |
| RET 2280 | Critical Medicine in Respiratory Care | 3 |
| RET 2714 | Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care | 3 |
| RETL 2876 | Clinical Respiratory Care 3 | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Term 6 | ||
| RET 1931 | Special Topics in Respiratory Care | 2 |
| Humanities Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Science/Core-Civic Literacy Requirement | 3 | |
| RETL 2877 | Clinical Respiratory Care 4 | 2 |
| RETL 2934 | Respiratory Care Seminar | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 76 | |
Learning Outcomes
- Explain Gas laws as pertaining to the medicine of respiratory care and in the delivery of therapeutics and diagnosis
- Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems
- Identify the use and rationale of positive pressure, treatments, including administration devices.
- Core Ability Supported: Communicate Effectively, Think Critically & Solve Problems
- Identify the various lung abnormalities as seen on a chest x-ray.
- Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems
- Describe the indications for the implementation of mechanical ventilation on adult, pediatric and neonatal patients.
- Core Ability Supported: Communicate Effectively, Think Critically & Solve Problems
- Identify techniques involved in educating patients with chronic lung disease: maintaining a functional and socially acceptable lifestyle, the value of a Pulmonary Rehab Program.
- Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems
- Perform Patient assessment to include: vital signs, medical gas therapy, humidity and aerosol therapy, hyperinflation therapy and other adjunctive breathing therapies
- Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems
- Describe the fetal cardiopulmonary system from the earliest developmental stages until the time of birth.
- Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems
- Perform proper techniques for the installation, maintenance and removal of all types of artificial airways on adult, pediatric and neonatal patients.
- Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems
- Complete applications for the entry-level examination through the Department of Business and Professional Regulations, Advisory Council on Respiratory Care to be administered after graduation from the program.
- Core Ability Supported: Think Critically and Solve Problems