DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES

El Camino Community College Major Requirements

There are three routes to completing the associate degree and/or entry-level certificate in Respiratory Care in order to become a licensed practitioner*:

Route 1: Designed for the student without previous college and/or medical coursework who wishes to obtain the Associate of Science degree and certificate in Respiratory Care.  Required coursework includes RC-172 through RC-288, anatomy 30, psychology 5, English 1a, and cis-13. Students without previous medical training are strongly advised to complete RC-170 before enrolling in RC-172 or RC-174.

Route 2: Designed for the student planning to transfer to a University advanced-level Respiratory Care Program after completion of the El Camino Community College entry-level level program. Required coursework includes RC-172 through RC-288.  In addition students must meet current coursework requirements(see program director or counselor) for transfer to Loma Linda or other Respiratory Care bachelor degree programs. Students without previous medical training are strongly advised to complete RC-170 before enrolling in RC-172 or RC-174.

Certificate of Completion Requirements

A certificate of completion is granted to the student who completes the following:

Route 3: Designed for the student with previous college coursework equivalent to an associate degree or higher, and/or medical education and credentials that wish to obtain the certificate in Respiratory Care. Take or pass through credit-by-exam** all the Respiratory Care Program courses from RC-170 through RC-288 and transfer in, or have evaluated as equivalent, or pass credit-by-exam**; anatomy 30, psychology 5, English 1a, and CIS-13, and the equivalent of associate degree or higher), with a minimum grade of 'C' in all courses.

The associate degree or equivalent and the certificate in Respiratory Care qualifies the graduate for the entry-level state licensure examination, which is required to practice Respiratory Care in the State of California.  The graduate is also eligible for National entry and specialty credentialing examinations.

*No matter which route is taken the Certificate in Respiratory Care is not granted unless the student completes the RC course requirements and has accumulated college credit equivalent to an associate's degree(with a minimum grade of 'C' in all courses) that includes those non-respiratory courses required by the Respiratory Care Program and the State of California Respiratory Care Board.

**See college and program credit-by-exam policies and limitations.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Recommended Program Course Sequence and Prerequisites

The program has two phases that require specific courses and sequence.

Preclinical Phase:

In the preclinical phase of the program the student takes all the non-clinical respiratory care courses that may include RC-170.  The student shall also complete at minimum, RC-172, RC174, Anat.30, English 1a, Psych 5, CIS-13, and associate degree math competency.  In addition, due to the rigorous schedule in the clinical phase it is recommended the student complete all the other general education and science courses required for the associate of science degree.

(see program director or counselor)

Admission to the Clinical Phase:

Admission to the clinical phase of the program is limited by clinical space and budget considerations.  In order to gain admittance to the clinical phase of the program the student must complete the preclinical phase with a minimum grade of 'C' in all courses.  The student must also submit a program application and completed physical exam form with the required lab tests and readiness for clinical duties certified by an appropriate health care professional.  Students may submit completed applications and physical exam forms when all the required preclinical coursework is completed.  Applications are accepted by the program director up to the last day of the spring and fall semesters and students are randomly assigned seats in the next clinical class based on verification of all required coursework and available space.  A new clinical class starts in the spring semester each year.

Clinical Phase:

In the clinical phase of the program the student takes all the combined Respiratory Care science classroom and clinical courses required to receive the respiratory care program certificate that at minimum includes RC-176 through RC-288.  In addition, the student must complete all other courses required for the associate of science degree if they have not been completed in the preclinical phase.

Program Title: Respiratory Care Advanced-level Program

The current advanced-level program is being phased into an online program by the fall semester 2007 with 2008 being a transition year.  Admission will be based on graduation from an accredited entry-level program, a California RCP license and employment at an appropriate clinical site.  Do to current budget in the State of California it is not possible to accurately predict when we will have the advanced program online and accredited.