Respiratory Care Technology

Helping Others Breathe More Easily

Apply

Program Duration: 2 Year Program
Degree Type: Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Total Credit Hours: 70

Instructor explains equipment as one student plays patient and one student plays therapist.

About This Program

Our Respiratory Care Technology program will teach you the skills you need to become a respiratory therapist. You will learn how to assess a patient’s condition, develop an appropriate care plan, handle technical equipment, make scientific calculations, and work independently to assist physicians in diagnosing and treating patients. Our program also offers lab training, classroom study and supervised experience in hospitals and health care settings, as well as preparation to take the national board exams for licensure required to fill a job in this field. Upon completing the program, you will be eligible to take the entry-level Certified Respiratory Therapist exam, as well as additional credentials, including Registered Respiratory Therapist, Neonatal/Pediatric Specialist, Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist, and Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist.

The Respiratory Care Technology program is accredited by the Committee for Accreditation of Respiratory Care.

Program Admission and Requirements

Join Us for an Information Session

RSVP for an information session to learn more about a career as a respiratory therapist caring for patients with lung and breathing issues and disorders. A session will be held on April 17 at 1 p.m. on Main Campus in the West Building, Room W2-37. RSVP to join us for an information session!

Quick Information

Online Learning 30%
General Contact Call (215) 751-8010

Apply Now

Transfer Opportunities

Public university in Pennsylvania offering diverse programs.

Healthcare and science-focused institution in Philadelphia.

Affordable, flexible education with a wide range of programs and support for your success.

Semester 1

Course Number and Name	Prerequisites and Corequisites	Credits	Gen Ed Req.
RESP 100 - Introduction to Respiratory Care Technologies	RESP 101 which must be taken concurrently	4 credits
RESP 101 - Respiratory Care Techniques	RESP 100 must be taken concurrently	4 credits
ENGL 101 - English Composition I or ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors)		3 credits	Writing, Research, Info Lit 1
BIOL 110 - Anatomy and Physiology II	BIOL 109 with a grade of "C" or better	4 credits	Scientific Reasoning
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra	FNMT 017 or FNMT 019 completed or FNMT 118 (or higher) placement	3 credits	Quantitative Reasoning

Semester 2

Course Number and Name	Prerequisites and Corequisites	Credits	Gen Ed Req.
RESP 102 - Respiratory Pharmacology, Modalities, and Airway Management	RESP 100 and RESP 101	4 credits
CIS 103 - Introduction to Information Technology		3 credits	Technological Competency
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors)	ENGL 101 with a grade of "C" or better	3 credits	Writing, Research, Info Lit 2

Summer 1

Course Number and Name	Prerequisites and Corequisites	Credits	Gen Ed Req.
RESP 103 - Introduction to Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology	RESP 102	3 credits
CHEM 110 - Introductory Chemistry or CHEM 101 - Fundamentals of Chemistry I (Lab Based)		4 credits

Summer 2

Course Number and Name	Prerequisites and Corequisites	Credits	Gen Ed Req.
RESP 104 - Clinical Practicum I	RESP 103	3 credits

Semester 3

Course Number and Name	Prerequisites and Corequisites	Credits
RESP 210 - Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology I	BIOL 110 with a grade of "C" or better; CHEM 110 or CHEM 101, with a grade of "C" or better; CIS 103, ENGL 102, and RESP 104; and RESP 220, which must be taken concurrently	4 credits
RESP 220 - Advanced Respiratory Care Procedures	RESP 104, RESP 210 must be taken concurrently	5 credits
BIOL 241 - Principles of Microbiology	BIOL 106 or BIOL 108, and BIOL 109 or BIOL 123, both with a grade "C" or better	4 credits

Semester 4

Course Number and Name	Prerequisites and Corequisites	Credits	Gen Ed Req.
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking	ENGL 101, which may be taken concurrently	3 credits	Oral Communication/ Creative Expression
RESP 211 - Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology II	BIOL 241 with a grade of "C" or better, RESP 210, RESP 211 which must be taken concurrently	4 credits
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology (Honors)		3 credits	Cultural Analysis & Interpretation
RESP 221 - Adult Critical Care	RESP 220, RESP 211 which must be taken concurrently	6 credits

Summer 1

Course Number and Name	Prerequisites and Corequisites	Credits	Gen Ed Req.
RESP 299 - Clinical Practicum II	RESP 211 and RESP 221 with a grade of "C" or better	3 credits

Three respiratory therapy students pose for the camera in a classroom.

Launch Your Career in Respiratory Care Technology

Respiratory Therapist est. salary $76,915

Learn More

**EMSI Data, 2022; The greater Philadelphia region; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Career Outlook

$76,915

Median Salary of a Respiratory Therapist

925

Number of Jobs in the Region

+20.0%

10-year Job Outlook in the Region for Respiratory Therapist

Featured Career

Respiratory Therapist

Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures.

Starting Pay: $59,358.

Therapist works with patient checking her breathing.

Related Programs

Let's Get Started

Apply

Plan a Visit

Apply for Financial Aid

View of Main Campus at 17th Street and Spring Garden Street with city skyline in view

Register for an Information Session

Complete the form below to join us for an information session to meet program faculty, ask questions and learn how you can accelerate your career in health care by becoming a respiratory care practitioner. The median salary for respiratory therapists in the Philadelphia region more than $76,000. Community College of Philadelphia offers a 22-month program specializing in cardiopulmonary therapy that is accredited by CoARC, the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. After completion you will be board eligible to become a licensed respiratory care practitioner.

All sessions will be held on Main Campus in the West Building, Room W2-37 at 1 p.m.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Choose a Session