Associate in Science in Respiratory Care

Division of Nursing & Allied Health – Curriculum Code: 2112

A Joint Admissions Program with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ

Will Earn Upon Program Completion: Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree

Why major in Respiratory Care?

Respiratory therapists are health care specialists who participate in the diagnosis, treatment, management, education, and preventative care of patients with disorders of the cardiopulmonary system. They work in hospitals, caring for patients on medical and surgical wards, in emergency rooms, in neonatal, adult, and cardiac intensive care units, and in outpatient departments. They also provide care in patients’ homes, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and other health care facilities. Experienced therapists with advanced education qualify for teaching positions or managerial jobs in areas such as equipment sales and marketing. The program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).

If I major in Respiratory Care, can I transfer to an upper-division college or university?

The major is job-oriented and not designed for transfer to a baccalaureate program. However, colleges and universities, including the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), New Jersey City University, and Thomas Edison State College, will apply most or all of the courses you have taken toward a bachelor’s degree.

Are there any requirements I must satisfy before I start taking courses in my major?

Admission into the program is selective. The application deadline for admission into the professional component of the program at UMDNJ is February 1 for courses beginning the following June. Each student must meet with a program advisor prior to submission of an application. Students are chosen by a joint admissions committee of both institutions. The following are the minimum requirements for admission:

Be at college level in reading, English, and mathematics, which may require the completion of developmental courses based on placement test scores.
Complete a 35-credit pre-professional component of general education courses and basic science courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
Attain a grade of “C” or above in all courses designated BIO, CHM, or MTH.
Have a current CPR card (BLS-C for health care providers).
Satisfactorily complete the HOBET (Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test) entrance exam scheduled annually in February.

How long will it take for me to complete this degree?

If you do not need developmental course work and have completed the prerequisite course work, you can complete the professional phase of the Respiratory Care degree program within two academic semesters and one summer session as a full-time student (taking an average of 12 credits each semester/session). Should a part-time schedule be requested and approved, the student will have a maximum of four academic semesters and two summer terms to complete the course work. Part-time enrollment in the program is granted on a case-by-case basis.

Where should I direct specific questions about this program?

Call the Division at (973) 877-1865/3246.

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

Take the entry and registry examinations offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care and obtain the New Jersey State Board of Respiratory Care license;
Obtain and analyze physiological specimens;
Interpret physiological data;
Perform tests and studies of the cardiopulmonary system;
Identify medical gases and environmental control systems;
Perform mechanical ventilator support;
Perform oxygen therapy, humidification, and aerosol therapy;
Administer artificial airway care;
Perform bronchopulmonary hygiene;
Utilize pharmacological agents related to respiratory care procedures;
Assist in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and hemodynamic cardiovascular support;
Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
Educate patients and family members on the disease process, medical therapy, and self help; and
Promote cardiopulmonary wellness and disease prevention measures.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

(33 credits)

Written & Oral Communications (6 credits)

ENG 101 and ENG 102 (two 3-credit courses)

Quantitative Knowledge & Skills (4 credits)

MTH 100 (one 4-credit course)

Scientific Knowledge & Reasoning (8 credits)

BIO 101 and BIO 102 (two 4-credit courses)

Society & Human Behavior (6 credits)

Choose two of the following courses: ANT 101, ANT 105; ECO 101, ECO 102; POL 101, POL 104; PSY 101, PSY 102, PSY 219; SOC 101, SOC 108, or SOC 219 (two 3-credit courses)

Humanistic Perspective (6 credits)

Choose one of the following literature courses: ENG 205, ENG 208, ENG 215, ENG 221, ENG 222, ENG 232, ENG 237, ENG 238, ENG 242, ENG 250, ENG 263, or ENG 264 (one 3-credit course)

And choose one of the following art or music courses: ART 100, ART 101, ART 102; MUS 100, MUS 108, MUS 109, or MUS 117 (one 3-credit course)

Historical Perspective (3 credits)

Choose one of the following history courses: HST 101, HST 102, HST 111, HST 112, HST 121, HST 122, HST 131, HST 132, HST 134, HST 135, HST 136, HST 137, HST 161, or HST 162 (one 3-credit course)

MAJOR COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

(37 credits)

RST 100 Core Concepts in Respiratory Care (2 credits)
RST 110 Fundamentals of Respiratory Care (4 credits)
RST 118 Clinical Practice I (1 credit)
RST 123 Applied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology I (3 credits)
RST 125 Principles of Ventilatory Support (5 credits)
RST 128 Clinical Practice II (2 credits)
RST 138 Clinical Practice III (3 credits)
RST 212 Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology (3 credits)
RST 213 Applied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology I (2 credits)
RST 214 Patient Management – Critical Care (3 credits)
RST 223 Cardiopulmonary Evaluation (3 credits)
RST 225 Pediatric/Neonatal Respiratory Care (3 credits)
RST 237 Long-Term Home Rehabilitative Care (3 credits)

ADDITIONAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

(8 credits)

BIO 211 Microbiology (4 credits)
CHM 101 College Chemistry I (4 credits)

Notes:
(1) The minimum passing grade for all courses designated BIO, CHM, MTH, or RST is “C.” If you earn a grade below “C,” you need to repeat that course.
(2) Transfer students must complete a minimum of 18 credits at ECC.
(3) All RST (Respiratory Care) courses are offered through UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions.
Total Credits Required for Degree: 78

RECOMMENDED SEQUENCE OF COURSES:

Note: See a program advisor for recommended sequence of General Education Requirements and Additional Course Requirements.
Summer Session
RST 100 Core Concepts in Respiratory Care (2 credits)
RST 110 Fundamentals of Respiratory Care (4 credits)
RST 118 Clinical Practice I (1 credit)
RST 123 Applied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology I (3 credits)

Fall Semester
RST 125 Principles of Ventilatory Support (5 credits)
RST 128 Clinical Practice II (2 credits)
RST 212 Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology (3 credits)
RST 213 Applied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology I (2 credits)
RST 223 Cardiopulmonary Evaluation (3 credits)

Spring Semester
RST 138 Clinical Practice III (3 credits)
RST 214 Patient Management – Critical Care (3 credits)
RST 225 Pediatric/Neonatal Respiratory Care (3 credits)
RST 237 Long-Term, Home Rehabilitative Care (3 credits)

NOTES:
(1) The two General Education Integrated Course Goals, Ethical Reasoning & Action and Information Literacy, are both addressed by the required curriculum described above, regardless of specific choices made by the individual student.
(2) This plan assumes the completion of all required developmental courses in reading, writing, and mathematics as well as other pre- and co-requisites for some of the courses, as listed in the Course Descriptions section.