Respiratory Care

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Respiratory Care degree provides education in patient services in the cardiovascular and pulmonary fields. Students will learn how to assess, provide treatment, and perform diagnostic procedures. The program focuses on principles for respiratory therapists to utilize advanced technology in life support systems, administer medications, and perform many techniques to assist patients in the healing process. Curriculum includes experiences in the hospital critical care, trauma, emergency departments, and operating rooms, patient's home, physicians' offices, and out-patient clinics in preparation for employment.

Successful completion of the AAS degree in Respiratory Care enables the program graduates to take the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination and Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). Passing both of these exams is required to earn the RRT credential and make the graduate eligible to obtain their license to practice professionally.

This program is designed to meet education requirements for licensure or certification in the State of Arizona. Granting licensure and certification is the sole responsibility of the state board or approval agency. This program is only offered and available to students located in the State of Arizona. The Maricopa County Community College District and colleges define student location within Administrative Regulation 2.2.3(7).

Details

Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Respiratory Care (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3284
Total credits required
80.5-96
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Admissions criteria

1. Formal application and admission to the program.
2. Background check requirements: Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Background Check Standards. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD Background Check Policy.
3. Clinical health and safety requirements must be met prior to enrollment in any program of study course. Upon conditional program enrollment, the student must comply with all requirements of the MCCCD Clinical Health and Safety Policy and drug testing protocols.
4. Inability to comply with background check requirements and/or clinical health and safety requirements at the start of classes or during the program may result in cancellation of enrollment.
5. There are limited spaces available in the Respiratory Care program. Only students who have completed all of the general education and introductory courses noted above may have their name added to the queue of those waiting for an available space in a cohort.

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Where selected as part of program completion, the following general education and introductory courses must be completed with a 3.0 GPA to be added to the queue of those waiting for an available cohort space to begin the core curriculum: BIO160, BIO201, BIO202, CHM130, CHM130LL, CRE101, ENG101, ENG107, HCC/RES109, and MAT15+, or any approved general education, algebra-based Mathematics course for which MAT15+ is a prerequisite.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
  2. Demonstrate assessment and evaluation of the patient in keeping with the application of appropriate care that aligns with established hospital regulations and standards.
  3. Utilize technology in the management of patients.
  4. Demonstrate the ethical and professional standards expected of respiratory care professionals.
  5. Communicate information regarding clinical status to appropriate members of the health care team.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

$125,370

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
MAT150 or
MAT151 or
MAT152 or
MAT155 or
MAT156
College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions with Review or College Algebra/Functions with Review OR Any approved general education, algebra-based course in the Mathematics area for which MAT15+ is a prerequisite MA or MA or MA or MA or MA 3–6
HCC/RES109 CPR for Health Care Provider Gateway course OR American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR certification 0–0.5
BIO160 or
BIO201
Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology or Human Anatomy and Physiology I SQ or SG 4

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II The student must take BIO202 with BIO201 to complete Biology prerequisite requirement. SG 0–4
CHM130 Fundamental Chemistry Critical course SQ in combo w/ CHM130LL 3
CHM130LL Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory Critical course SQ in combo w/ CHM130 1
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR equivalent as indicated by assessment. L 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
RES130 Respiratory Care Fundamentals I Gateway course 4.5
RES131 Infection Control for Respiratory Care 1
RES133 Respiratory Care Clinical Seminar 2
RES134 Respiratory Care Pharmacology I 2
RES136 Applied Biophysics for Respiratory Care Critical course 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
RES140 Respiratory Care Fundamentals II Gateway course 5
RES142 Respiratory Care Clinical I 4
RES144 Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation 1
RES224 Pathophysiology for Respiratory Care 2
RES240 Respiratory Physiology Critical course 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology SB 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Small Group Communication Students may not take COM225. SB or SB or SB 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Students wishing to earn an AGEC-A must have 6 credits in HU courses with the appropriate designations.Recommend a single course with the [HU] general studies designation meeting the Awareness Area [C], [G], and/or [H]. See the AGEC Matrix for course designations. HU 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
RES118 Vascular Access for Clinical Practice 1
RES220 Respiratory Care Fundamentals III Critical course Gateway course 4.5
RES226 Respiratory Care Clinical II 4
RES235 Respiratory Care Pharmacology II 2
RES270 Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care 2

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HES100 Healthful Living Recommended for students seeking university transfer. SB 0–3
RES230 Respiratory Care Fundamentals IV 4.5
RES232 Respiratory Care Clinical III 4
RES280 Respiratory Care Review 2
RES291 Respiratory Care Advanced Life Support 1
RES292 Respiratory Care Pediatric Advanced Life Support 1

Part-time Sequence

This option may include variable full-time (12 to 18 credits per semester) and/or part-time (11 credit hours or less per semester) status by term due to course prerequisites and scheduling

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design Students wishing to earn an AGEC-A must have 6 credits in HU courses with the appropriate designations.
Recommend a single course with the [HU] general studies designation meeting the Awareness Area [C], [G], and/or [H]. See the AGEC Matrix for course designations.
HU 3
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MAT150 or
MAT151 or
MAT152 or
MAT155 or
MAT156
College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions or College Algebra/Functions with Review or College Algebra/Functions with Review OR Any approved general education, algebra-based course in the Mathematics area for which MAT15+ is a prerequisite MA or MA or MA or MA or MA 3–6
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment. L 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HCC/RES109 CPR for Health Care Provider Gateway course OR American Heart Association Health Care Provider CPR certification 0–0.5
BIO160 or
BIO201
Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology or Human Anatomy and Physiology I SQ or SG 4
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II The student must take BIO202 with BIO201 to complete Biology prerequisite requirement. SG 0–4
CHM130 Fundamental Chemistry Critical course SQ in combo w/ CHM130LL 3
CHM130LL Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory Critical course SQ in combo w/ CHM130 1

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
RES118 Vascular Access for Clinical Practice 1
RES130 Respiratory Care Fundamentals I Gateway course 4.5
RES131 Infection Control for Respiratory Care 1
RES133 Respiratory Care Clinical Seminar 2
RES134 Respiratory Care Pharmacology I 2
RES136 Applied Biophysics for Respiratory Care Critical course 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
RES140 Respiratory Care Fundamentals II Gateway course 5
RES142 Respiratory Care Clinical I 4
RES144 Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation 1
RES224 Pathophysiology for Respiratory Care 2
RES240 Respiratory Physiology Critical course 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology SB 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Small Group Communication Students may not take COM225. SB or SB or SB 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
RES220 Respiratory Care Fundamentals III Critical course Gateway course 4.5
RES226 Respiratory Care Clinical II 4
RES235 Respiratory Care Pharmacology II 2
RES270 Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care 2

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
RES230 Respiratory Care Fundamentals IV 4.5
RES232 Respiratory Care Clinical III 4
RES280 Respiratory Care Review 2
RES291 Respiratory Care Advanced Life Support 1
RES292 Respiratory Care Pediatric Advanced Life Support 1
HES100 Healthful Living Recommended for students seeking university transfer. SB 0–3
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=183952).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.