Respiratory Care Associate in Science

The Respiratory Care Program application period for Fall 2024 starts March 1 and ends April 15.

Help your patients breathe easy with this limited-access, accredited degree that gives you the broad range of basic sciences to advanced courses in cardiopulmonary physiology, critical care medicine and pediatrics. Graduates of this program will be prepared to earn Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials.

Related Programs

Getting Started: 12-Week Session

Jan. 2:  Financial Aid


Jan. 22:  Application


Jan. 29:  Classes Begin

Other Important Dates »

Why Seminole State?

  • Affordable tuition: Earn a state university education at about half the cost.
  • Small class sizes: With classes of 30 or less, you don’t have to learn in an auditorium.
  • Online degree option: Most courses for our A.S. degrees are offered in person and online, so you can study when and where you want. 
  • Seamless transitionMost A.S. graduates earn credits that can be applied to a bachelor's degree at Seminole State or at the University of Central Florida through DirectConnect® to UCF.*
  • Job Placement: According to state data, most Seminole State A.S. programs have placement rates above 90 percent.

*A.S. students who are planning to transfer to bachelor's degree programs should meet with a counselor, advisor or specialist to make sure the required courses are taken and the entry requirements are met.

Additional Information


Respiratory Care
Type: Associate in Science
Major Code: RESPR-AS
CIP: 1351090800

Program Description

Program Admission

Available Course Course Not Offered Summer 2024

Students must complete all Required Courses with a grade of "C" or higher.

This course is composed of a laboratory experience designed for the beginning respiratory care student. The course presents skills to perform basic respiratory care in preparation for the first clinical rotation. Students will be introduced to skills, including hand washing and isolation procedures, patient assessment, vitals, breath sounds, patient positioning, oxygen therapy devices, aerosol therapy devices, different oxygen supply systems, airway care and maintenance, and noninvasive ventilation. Students will be expected to be proficient in all skills prior to completion of the course. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course is comprised of didactic material designed for the beginning respiratory care student. An introduction to respiratory care, the history of the profession, basic principles of patient safety, recordkeeping (including medical terms and abbreviations), ethical and legal implications of health care, patient education, physical principles of respiratory care, principles of infection control, pulmonary rehabilitation, patient assessment, and analysis and HIV/blood-borne pathogens are topics discussed in this course. A review of microbiology, physics, and chemistry for respiratory care will also be covered in this course. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course is a lecture introducing mechanical ventilation and the equipment used in the continuous and intermittent ventilation of patients. Course content includes indications, contraindications, modes of ventilation, and hazards of continuous ventilation with significance given to ventilator management and monitoring techniques. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
A course composed of didactic material for the beginning respiratory care student. The course presents basic principles and essential skills necessary to perform basic respiratory care in preparation for the first clinical rotation. Topics include oxygen therapy, storage and delivery of medical gases, indications and hazards of medical gas therapy, humidity and bland aerosol therapy, airway management, bronchial hygiene therapy, non-invasive ventilation, arterial blood gas puncture, and lung expansion therapy. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course allows respiratory therapy students to investigate the nature and cause of cardiopulmonary diseases which involve changes in structure and function. The etiology, clinical manifestation, pathogenesis, laboratory data and treatment for major chronic and acute cardiopulmonary disease entities will be presented. Students must complete this course with a grade of 11C11 or higher.
This is a lecture course designed to present invasive and non-invasive monitoring and diagnostic evaluation of patients. Cardiopulmonary assessment is presented utilizing pulmonary function, chest roentgenography, cardiac monitoring, hemodynamic monitoring and general laboratory tests. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course covers the anatomy and physiology of the cardiopulmonary system. Topics include physiological functions, including acid base relationship, gas perfusion, functions of ventilator control, ventilation perfusion analysis, cardiopulmonary and renal hemodynamics and blood gas interpretation analysis. Students must complete this course with a grade of 11C11 or higher.
This course provides supervised clinical experiences which emphasize fundamental respiratory therapy procedures. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course covers the integration of clinical practice and knowledge for the advanced student. Students receive clinical experience in adult intensive care units with an emphasis on mechanic ventilator management. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This is a lecture course designed to present advanced cardiopulmonary assessment. Diagnostic and monitoring techniques will be emphasized. Cardiopulmonary hemodynamics, advanced pulmonary function studies, modes of ventilation and new innovations will be stressed. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
The student will receive supervised clinical experience emphasizing advanced modes of mechanical ventilation, patient transport and advanced hemodynamic monitoring. During this clinical rotation, students will also rotate through the neonatal and pediatric critical care units. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
The clinical rotation will be in specialty areas of adult, pediatric and neonatal medicine. Clinical skills will focus on adult and pediatric ventilator management, weaning, extubation and hemodynamic assessment. Conferences will be used to assess learning objectives and present cases. During the semester, students will be given the opportunity to become certified in ACLS. Lab fee required. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
Respiratory care of the neonate and pediatric patient is presented with special emphasis on physiology, pulmonary complications and related general and intensive care procedures. Also included is neonatal transportation and assessment of the sick newborn and child. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This laboratory course will introduce skills needed for students to enter the intensive care unit. The focus will be on mechanical ventilation which will include the set up and use of mechanical ventilators, patient assessment of the ventilated patient, monitoring of mechanical ventilation, and liberation of mechanical ventilation. Students will work in skills stations and be introduced to clinical simulations. In addition, students will learn the basics of reading chest x-rays and drawing blood from arterial lines. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This laboratory course will introduce new and review critical care skills students will need for the intensive care unit. Students will learn how to set up arterial lines, maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot the line, how to read hemodynamic values via a Swan Ganz catheter, conduct pulmonary function measurements, set up a 12 lead ECG and analyze rhythms, and advance chest x-ray interpretations. Students will also conduct patient simulations in the lab setting. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This lab course will coincide with the curriculum taught in RET 2714 Pediatric Respiratory Care. Students will learn how to assess the neonatal and pediatric population. Provide oxygen therapy and resuscitation when needed. Students will also learn how to intubate and mechanical ventilate thesepatients and participate in patient simulations in the lab setting. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This laboratory course will introduce students to advanced skills including advanced cardiac life support, advanced modes of mechanical ventilation, and alternate airway management techniques. Students will participate in patient simulations where advance care and skills will be needed. Students will properly diagnose and treat patients in a simulated environment. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course introduces students to the study of pharmacological principles related to the treatment of patients with cardiopulmonary disease. The course includes a study of the anatomy and basic function of the central and peripheral nervous systems, principles of drug action, the basic methods of drug administration, standard drug calculations, and the effects of drugs on specific body systems. Inhaled bronco-active aerosols and other agents commonly administered in the care of the cardiopulmonary patient are discussed. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
This course continues to introduce students to the study of pharmacological principles related to the treatment of patients with cardiopulmonary disease. The course includes a study of the anatomy and basic function of the central and peripheral nervous systems, principles of drug action, the basic methods of drug administration, standard drug calculations, and the effects of drugs on specific body systems. Inhaled bronco-active aerosols and other agents commonly employed in the care of the cardiopulmonary patient are discussed in conjunction with more advanced principles and therapies pertaining to acute and critical care settings. Students must complete this course with a grade of "C" or higher.
Students must complete all General Education Courses with a grade of "C" or higher.
This is the first part of a two-semester course that investigates in detail the structure and function of humans. The course is primarily designed for students of healthcare professions, biology or physical education. We will utilize a "system" approach, examining each organ system at the cellular, tissue, organ and system levels and discuss interactions with other systems. Emphasis will be placed on the homeostatic rather than the dysfunctional individual. Lab fee required.
This course is the second part of a two-semester course that investigates the structure and function of humans. The course is designed for students of healthcare professions, biology or physical education. We utilize a "systems" approach, examining each organ system at the cellular, tissue, organ and system levels and discuss interactions with other systems. Emphasis will be placed on homeostatic rather than dysfunctional individuals. Lab fee required.
English I Gen Ed Core
3
Credits
This is a course in the process of expository writing. Students will compose essays that are unified, organized, logically developed and supported, clearly stated, and well-focused. The analysis of texts and vetting of information will help inform student writing. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Communications requirement for degree seeking students.

Students can satisfy the English Requirement with either ENC 1101 English I or ENC 1102 English II.

College Algebra Gen Ed Core
3
Credits
This course is a study of the fundamental topics in advanced algebra with emphasis on applications, the understanding of the function concept and manipulative skills. Major topics include operations on algebraic expressions and complex numbers, solving polynomial equations and inequalities, absolute value equations and inequalities and rational equations and inequalities, applications, functions, exponents and logarithms, graphs of polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions and systems of equations and inequalities. The use of graphing calculators will be incorporated throughout the course. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Mathematics requirement for degree seeking students.
This course is primarily for science majors or students with a strong biology background. It is a study of the molecular and cellular composition and function of living organisms. Emphasis will be given to structure, chemical metabolism and genetic mechanisms. Laboratory illustrates basic biological principles. Lab fee required. This class satisfies the General Education State Core Science requirement for A.A. degree seeking students.
Art Appreciation Gen Ed Core
3
Credits
This course introduces students to art from a variety of cultures and historical contexts. Topics include major art movements, varieties of materials and aesthetic theories. Coursework covers formal terms, elements and principles common to the study of art and architecture. The course stresses the relationship of design principles to various art forms including, but not limited to, sculpture, painting and architecture. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and analyze a variety of artistic styles, periods and media and students will have an increased vocabulary of art terminology. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Humanities requirement for degree seeking students.
This humanities course is designed to introduce students to the critical study of human culture and its varied expressions across time. Students will employ interdisciplinary methods of analysis through engagement with cultural artifacts in order to develop a foundational understanding of the human experience and its connection to culture. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Humanities requirement for degree seeking students.
This humanities course is designed to introduce students to the critical study of human culture and its varied expressions across time. Students will employ interdisciplinary methods of analysis through engagement with cultural artifacts in order to develop a foundational understanding of the human experience and its connection to culture. This course partially satisfies the writing requirements of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This class satisfies the General Education State Core Humanities for degree seeking students.
This course is designed to introduce students to the concepts and applications of analytical and theoretical approaches to literature. Students will employ critical thinking in their interrogation of the texts. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Humanities requirement for degree seeking students.
Open to all students, this course is designed for the musical layman and is a survey course devoted to music in world civilization. Included is a study of the music relating to the background of the life and other arts of the times. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Humanities requirement for degree seeking students.
This course is designed for the musical layman and is a survey course devoted to music in world civilization. Included is a study of the music relating to the background of the life and other arts of the times. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Humanities requirement for degree-seeking students. Honors level content. Permission from Honors Director required.
This course covers fundamental philosophical questions of the human condition including: discussions of existence, identity, ethics, culture, free will, personhood, politics, distributive justice, and much more. Students engage in deep critical thought, analysis of philosophical perspectives including their own, and ultimately gain perspective on how philosophy manifests itself in every aspect of our lived experience. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Humanities requirement.
This course covers fundamental philosophical questions of the human condition including: discussions of existence, identity, ethics, culture, free will, personhood, politics, distributive justice, and much more. Students engage in deep critical thought, analysis of philosophical perspectives including their own, and ultimately gain perspective on how philosophy manifests itself in every aspect of our lived experience. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Honors level content. Permission required from Honors director. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Humanities requirement.
This course surveys the art of theatre. Students will learn about the process of creating theatre through study of the production process and the many artists who participate in the creation of theatre. Through videos and attendance at live theatre, students will also learn the various forms of theatre, such as tragedy and comedy and various modes of presentation, both presentational and representational. Students will also be introduced to theatre's historic roots and its diversity as expressed in various cultures throughout the globe. This course contains a reading and writing component. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B. E. 6A-10.030. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Humanities requirement for degree seeking students.
This course surveys the art of theatre. Students will learn about the process of creating theatre through study of the production process and the many artists who participate in the creation of theatre. Through videos and attendance at live theatre, students will also learn the various forms of theatre, such as tragedy and comedy and various modes of presentation, both presentational and representational. Students will also be introduced to theatre's historic roots and its diversity as expressed in various cultures throughout the globe. This course contains a reading and writing component. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B. E. 6A-10.030. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Humanities requirement for degree seeking students.

* POS 2041 or POS 2041H partially satisfies the Civic Literacy requirement. Students entering the Florida College System for the first time in Fall 2022 or later can satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement by passing a course and an assessment.   Refer to the online catalog for assessment options.

This course covers the study of man. It is an introductory course covering the economic, cultural, social and political development and technology of primitive societies. Attitudes, approach to problems and the general way of life of primitive societies are compared with modern societies. The course also provides a brief introduction to the development of fossil man and archaeology. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This class satisfies the General Education State Core Social Science/History requirement for A.A. degree seeking students.
This is an introductory course covering the nature, scope and methods of economics, economic concepts and economic institutions. Emphasis is placed upon production, consumption, determination of prices, distribution of income, fiscal policy, national income determinants, money and banking and comparative economic systems. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This class satisfies the General Education State Core Social Science/History requirement for AA degree seeking students.
This is an introductory course covering the nature, scope and method of economics, economic concepts and institutions. Emphasis is placed upon production, consumption, determination of prices, distribution of income, fiscal policy, national income determinants, money and banking and comparative economic systems. Honors level content. Permission required from Honors director. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This class satisfies the General Education State Core Social Science/History requirement for AA degree seeking students.
U.S. Federal Government Gen Ed Core Civic Lit
3
Credits
In this course basic aspects of the federal government are studied. Emphasis is placed upon content and interpretation of the Constitution, Federalism, the Congress, the Presidency, the federal court system and the citizen's connection to the federal government by means of elections, political parties, interest groups and public opinion. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This class satisfies the General Education State Core Social Science/History requirement for A.A. degree seeking students and the Florida state civic literacy requirement per Florida Statues Section 1007.25 for all students.
Honors U.S. Federal Government Gen Ed Core Civic Lit
3
Credits
In this course, basic aspects of the federal government are studied. Emphasis is placed upon content and interpretation of the Constitution, Federalism, the Congress, the Presidency, the federal court system and the citizen's connection to the federal government by means of elections, political parties, interest groups and public opinion. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This class satisfies the General Education State Core Social Science/History requirement for A.A. degree seeking students and the Florida state civic literacy requirement per Florida Statues Section 1007.25 for all students.
This is an introductory course which surveys the scientific study of behavior and mental processes known as psychology. This course will focus on the major categories identified by the American Psychological Association which are: Biological, Cognitive, Development, Social and Personality, and Mental and Physical Health. These categories will encompass topics such as learning, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal behavior, treatment and therapy options, and an introduction to research methods. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Some sections of PSY 2012 have service-learning components. Please refer to class notes in schedule of classes for details. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Social Science/History requirement for degree seeking students.
This is an introductory psychology course with an Honors designation. It intends to survey the scientific study of behavior and mental processes known as psychology. Honors level content. Permission required from Honors director. This course will focus on the major categories identified by the American Psychological Association which are: Biological, Cognitive, Development, Social and Personality, and Mental and Physical Health. These categories will encompass topics such as learning, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal behavior, treatment and therapy options, and an introduction to research methods. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Some sections may have service-learning components. Please refer to class notes in schedule of classes for details. This course satisfies the General Education State Core Social Science/History requirement for degree seeking students.
This course is an introductory survey of sociology covering its scope, methods and general principles. Topics emphasized include group behavior, race relations, population, social institutions, social change and social stratification. The purpose of the course is to assist the student in acquiring an understanding of society. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This class satisfies the General Education State Core Social Science/History requirement for A.A. degree seeking students.
This course is an introductory survey of sociology covering its scope, methods and general principles. Topics emphasized include group behavior, race relations, population, social institutions, social change and social stratification. The purpose of the course is to assist the student in acquiring an understanding of society. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Note: This course contains Honors level material. Acceptance into the Honors Program or Permission from the Honors Director required. This class satisfies the General Education State Core Social Science/History requirement for A.A. degree seeking students.
Total Credits: 76

Gen Ed Core   Denotes that a class is a State of Florida General Education Core Course.

Beginning in the 2022-23 academic year and thereafter, students entering associate in arts, associate in science or associate in applied science, or baccalaureate degree programs must complete at least one (1) course from each of the general education subject areas listed in this section prior to the awarding of their degree. Please refer to this catalog's Graduation Requirements section for specific requirements on the General Education Core Courses .

Civic Lit   Denotes that a class counts toward the course Civic Literacy Requirement.

The State of Florida requires that all students graduating from Seminole State College of Florida and other institutions in the Florida College System (FCS), as well as from any State University System (SUS) institution, fulfill a Civic Literacy Competency requirement prior to submitting an Intent to Graduate form in the term they plan to graduate. Requirements vary based on admit term and program. Please refer to this catalog’s Graduation Requirements section for specific requirements on the Civic Literacy Proficiency Requirement.

Your tuition shouldn’t go against your intuition.

Your pursuit of higher education is admirable. So why struggle with high tuition in the process? Here we make life’s next steps affordable. Whether you’re seeking a university transfer (A.A.) degree, a four-year bachelor’s, an Associate in Science degree or even earning a college credit certificate, you’ll find reasonable tuition and great value. And to us, that’s scholarly.

In fact, a full-time college education at Seminole State is more than $10,000 less each year than most state universities.

Go For Less.


Tuition and Fee Comparison*

 Seminole StateUFFSUUCF
Tuition and Fees$3,131$6,380$5,666 $5,954 
Room and Board-0-$11,500
$12,740  $12,070 
Books and Supplies$1,000$1,060$1,000$1,000
Total$4,131$18,940$19,406$19,024

For more information on Seminole State's tuition and fees, please see the current fee schedule.

* Tuition costs are based on the current academic year for in-state students living on campus. Dorm fees, meal plans and book expenses are estimates based on cost of attendance information provided by the State University System of Florida. Lab fees and other fees that may be assessed at the time of registration may be viewed in the College fee schedule. As Seminole State is a commuter college with no residence halls on its campuses, costs for room and board are not calculated.

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