Respiratory Care
Program Description
The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care degree program is intended for students who have completed a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) approved associate degree program in the field of respiratory care. The curriculum focuses on advanced level scope of practice, including clinical specialist, interventional pulmonology, and pulmonary diagnostics. The program is limited to 30-40 students and commences in the Fall Quarter.
Learn more about the program on the Respiratory Care website.
Program Learning Outcomes
- The graduate will have the skills to implement their role as a health professional and will possess the ethics, values, and knowledge integral to all aspects of the profession with an emphasis on clinical specialist, interventional pulmonology, and pulmonary diagnostics.
- The graduate will be able to exercise evidence-based practice and critical thinking, and communicate effectively in all professional employment settings.
Career Opportunities
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 13% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 8,600 openings for respiratory therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Award Type(s)
BS = Bachelor of Science Degree
Units Required
- Major courses and upper division general education: 44
- Credit for prior learning: 24
- Total units: 68
- Students must also complete one of the following general education patterns: CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
Program Application
Admittance to this program is through an application process. Program information, admission criteria, and application to the program can be found on the Respiratory Care Program website.
Program Prerequisites
- Associate in science degree in respiratory care from a Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) approved program.
- Possession of a California Respiratory Care Practitioner license or be eligible for licensure.
Bachelor Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care degree requires completion of one of the following general education patterns: CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC). Completion of the program prerequisites and general education does not guarantee admission to the Respiratory Care program. It is strongly recommended that students meet with a counselor for evaluation of transcripts and to determine if general education pattern has been completed.
Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree.
Foothill College awards 24 units as credit for prior learning for successful passing of the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) high cut score TMC Exam and Clinical Simulation Exam, state licensure, and completion of state Law and Ethics Course for Respiratory Care Practitioners.
Students who wish to apply for a Board of Governors Fee Waiver pursuant to Education Code Section 76300 shall be required to complete and submit either a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or a California Dream Act application in lieu of completing the Board of Governors Fee Waiver application.
Enrollment Fees and Tuition: Upper Division Coursework Fee (California Education Code (CEC), 78042(g)(5); CCR, title 5, section 58520)—additional upper division course fee of $56/unit for quarter system colleges charged on all upper division courses that are part of an approved Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program.
Core and Support Courses
Core Courses
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Quarter | Units | |
| BIOL 300 | HUMAN PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY 1 | 4 |
| HLTH 300 | HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN 1 | 5 |
| Units | 9 | |
| Winter Quarter | ||
| RSPT 300 | LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT IN HEALTHCARE | 5 |
| RSPT 304 | CLINICAL SPECIALIST & CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT | 5 |
| Units | 10 | |
| Spring Quarter | ||
| RSPT 307 | INTERVENTIONAL PULMONOLOGY THEORY & APPLICATION | 5 |
| RSPT 308 | INTERVENTIONAL PULMONOLOGY PROCEDURES | 5 |
| Units | 10 | |
| Summer Session 1 | ||
| RSPT 306 | ADVANCED PULMONARY DIAGNOSTICS | 5 |
| Units | 5 | |
| Summer Session 2 | ||
| IDS 300 | RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS 1 | 5 |
| RSPT 305 | RESPIRATORY CARE CAPSTONE RESEARCH PROJECT | 5 |
| Units | 10 | |
| Total Units | 44 | |
- 1
Upper Division General Education courses.
Please note: Total Units listed above includes 14 units of Upper Division General Education courses.