Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory Therapy Program in St. Louis, Associate of Applied Science
If you’re interested in beginning a career as a Respiratory Therapist (RT), we invite you to develop your skills under the supervision of the Program Director, Director of Clinical Education, and mentorship of the Medical Director, a practicing physician. As a student of our Associate of Applied Science degree program, you will build the confidence and knowledge you need to evaluate, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders such as asthma and emphysema. You will gain hands-on experience with real patients of all ages in conducting cardiopulmonary diagnostic testing, evaluating their need for respiratory care, and administering therapeutic treatments. Additionally, Respiratory Therapists care for patients on life support systems, where they initiate and manage mechanical ventilation.
Program Goals
To 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).
Graduate Opportunities
The breadth of training offered in our RT degree program prepares graduates for a career in a variety of settings including:
- Pediatric hospitals
- Rehabilitation centers
- Physician offices
- Pulmonary function laboratories
- Home medical care companies
- Ground and air medical ambulance transport services
- Sleep study centers
- Neonatal intensive care units
NBRC Certification
SLCHC graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the board examination series administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Respiratory Therapists, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm
Semester 1
| Course # | Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AH100 | Professional Development | 45 | 3 |
| BL121 | Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology Theory | 45 | 3 |
| BL121L | Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology Lab | 30 | 1 |
| HB300 | Medical Terminology Basics | 30 | 1 |
| PS101 | Psychology | 45 | 3 |
| MTH202 | Algebra & Mathematical Functions | 45 | 3 |
Semester 2
| Course # | Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BL130 | Cardiopulmonary A&P | 45 | 3 |
| IHS-101 | Integrated Health Sciences | 45 | 3 |
| ENG101 | English Composition | 45 | 3 |
| HC101 | Ethics | 45 | 3 |
Semester 3
| Course # | Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN150 | Communications | 45 | 3 |
| RC104 | Respiratory Care Pharmacology | 45 | 3 |
| RC102 | Respiratory Care Practice and Procedures I | 45 | 3 |
| RCL102 | Respiratory Care Lab I | 60 | 2 |
| RCC102 | Respiratory Care Clinical Practicum I | 90 | 2 |
Semester 4
| Course # | Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| RC106 | Respiratory Care Pathology | 30 | 2 |
| RC107 | Mechanical Vent (P&P II) | 45 | 3 |
| RC109 | Cardiopulmonary Testing (ABG/PFt) | 45 | 3 |
| RCL107 | Respiratory Care Lab II | 60 | 2 |
| RCC110 | Respiratory Care Clinical Practicum II | 180 | 4 |
Semester 5
| Course # | Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS301 | Critical Thinking | 30 | 2 |
| RC216 | Respiratory Care in Alternative Settings | 30 | 2 |
| RC211 | Neonatal/Pediatric RC (P&P III) | 45 | 3 |
| RCL211 | Respiratory Care Lab III | 60 | 2 |
| RCC214 | Respiratory Care Clinical Practicum III | 225 | 5 |
Semester 6
| Course # | Course | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| RC215 | Advanced Mech. Ventilation (P&P IV) | 45 | 3 |
| RC219 | Comprehensive Final Review/Exit Exams | 60 | 2 |
| RCL217 | Respiratory Care Lab IV/Skill Review | 90 | 3 |
| RCC218 | Respiratory Care Clinical Practicum IV | 270 | 6 |
Program Accreditations
The St. Louis College of Health Careers #200553 Respiratory Therapy Associates of Applied Sciences program at the County campus located at 1297 N Hwy Dr. Fenton, MO 63026 is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com).
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
264 Precision Blvd.
Telford, TN 37690
(817) 283-2835
Click on CoARC logo to access Programmatic Outcomes Data.
CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.
CoARC Home Page: https://coarc.com
