Respiratory Care Science Degree (RCSD) (AAS)
Program Overview
This 69 credit-hour Respiratory Care Science degree program prepares students to practice as nationally credentialed respiratory care practitioners serving as key members of the healthcare team. Skilled in assessing patients with breathing disorders in the emergency room, intensive care units and many other areas in healthcare facilities, respiratory therapists work directly with physicians on newborn, pediatric or adult patients to analyze oxygen levels and breathing difficulty. Therapists administer prescribed medications to relieve breathing distress, provide pulmonary/lung therapies, and conduct lung diagnostics for all ages. Graduates find employment in many settings such as hospitals, pulmonary rehabilitation clinics, doctors' offices, sleep labs, homecare, and air-life transport teams as they provide direct patient care in the emergency room, newborn/pediatric/adult intensive care units, and many other essential areas.
Respiratory care students will attend lab and lecture classes and engage in experiential clinical rotations in area hospitals. The proposed AAS degree program is seeking accreditation from The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) which will qualify graduates to sit for national board credentialing exams to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) through the National Board for Respiratory Care immediately upon degree completion.
Admission Requirements
Respiratory Care Science is a limited enrollment program. For admission requirements, please contact the Admissions Outreach Office at 847.925.6700 or visit harpercollege.edu. Students who apply for this limited enrollment program are obligated to meet the current admission requirements and follow program curriculum as defined at the time of acceptance to the program.