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Respiratory Care • Associate in Applied Science

General Program

Total Credit Hours: 65

Colleague Code: AAS.RCP

Curriculum Code: RCP 100

Program Information:

  • This program prepares students for an occupation in the professional field of Respiratory Therapy.
  • Respiratory care practitioners, also known as respiratory therapists, assist physicians in the prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders of the respiratory system.
  • Procedures performed by respiratory therapists include medical gas administration, aerosol and humidity therapy, ventilator support and pulmonary function testing. Respiratory care practitioners work with the critically ill and injured of all ages.
  • The program is accredited as an entry-level therapist program through the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) Program #200481. For inquiries about accreditation, contact CoARC at 817-283-2835.
  • Career opportunities are abundant nationwide in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, pulmonary rehabilitation, asthma education, case management and smoking cessation programs, medical transport companies, home health, physicians' offices, pharmaceutical companies and sleep labs.
  • The first semester of this program begins in August and must be taken in its entirety to meet degree requirements.
  • All science and math courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C within the last five years.
  • Portions of this program are provided at St. John's Hospital, 800 East Carpenter Street, Springfield. Those portions include the required program courses.
  • Students are involved in more than 800 hours of clinical experience during the 21-month program.
  • Application and admission to the Respiratory Care Program is a separate procedure from application and admission to LLCC.
  • Respiratory Care students must earn a minimum grade of C in all courses that apply to the program.
  • National credentialing as a certified respiratory therapist or registered respiratory therapist requires graduates to pass the examinations administered by the National Board of Respiratory Care. In addition, many states including Illinois, require graduates to hold a license to practice respiratory care.
  • Students have a right to apply for readmission to the program based on the likelihood of success and space availability. The readmission procedure is included in the student handbook. Only one readmission is allowed.

Contact information:

Health Professions Department at 217-814-4254 or 217-786-2449 or see an LLCC Health Professions advisor

Admission Requirements

Pre-application requirements:

These requirements must be completed before your application can be considered.

  • Attend an information session given by program director or complete the online information session at http://www.llcc.edu/respiratory-care. Due to limited enrollment, student selection criteria are covered in detail. Dates of information sessions may be obtained from the Admissions and Records Office (217-786-2296) or at the link above.

Admission Requirements:

  • Submit the LLCC application
  • Be a high school graduate or have a GED certificate. Have high school transcripts sent to the LLCC Records office.
  • Demonstrate placement into EGL 101
  • Demonstrate placement out of MAT 092 or MAT 097
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better for all previous college courses or high school GPA of 2.5 (on a 4-point scale). High school GPA will be considered until the student has completed 9 hours of program specific courses.
  • Complete of one year of high school science or biology or college equivalent with a minimum grade of C.
  • Submit the Respiratory Care program application with the assistance of a Health Professions Advisor.
  • Student must have a current physical exam, show proof of immunizations and pass a drug screen and fingerprint background check prior to the start of the program. Students must also have a current CPR card prior to starting clinical.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges ever attended evaluated by Admissions & Records Office. Students that neglect to do this, or delay in doing this, may jeopardize their ability to apply to, be accepted to, or remain in a Health Professions program at LLCC.

Recommended Course Sequence:

First Semester:

BIO 175Human Anatomy and Physiology I

4
RCP 110Respiratory Care Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology

4
RCP 111Basic Therapeutic Practices

6
RCP 119Clinical Practice I

2

Second Semester:

BIO 176Human Anatomy and Physiology II

4
RCP 120Mechanical Ventilation

3
RCP 121Applied Sciences for Respiratory Care

2
RCP 122Advanced Respiratory Care Practices and Procedures I

3
RCP 129Clinical Practice II

3

Third Semester:

RCP 231Advanced Respiratory Care Practices and Procedures II

4
RCP 239Clinical Practice III

3

Fourth Semester:

EGL 101Composition I

3
 
PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3
OR
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology

3
 
RCP 241Advanced Cardiopulminary Diagnostics and Monitoring

2
RCP 242Neonatal/Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Respiratory Care

3
RCP 249Clinical Practice IV

3

Fifth Semester:

EGL 102Composition II

3
RCP 250Respiratory Care Capstone

4
RCP 259Clinical Practice V

6

Course Requirements:

Required General Education Courses (17 credits)

Please see your advisor for course planning.

BIO 175Human Anatomy and Physiology I

4
BIO 176Human Anatomy and Physiology II

4
EGL 101Composition I

3
EGL 102Composition II

3
 
PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3
OR
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology

3

Required Program Courses (48 credits)

RCP 110Respiratory Care Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology

4
RCP 111Basic Therapeutic Practices

6
RCP 119Clinical Practice I

2
RCP 120Mechanical Ventilation

3
RCP 121Applied Sciences for Respiratory Care

2
RCP 122Advanced Respiratory Care Practices and Procedures I

3
RCP 129Clinical Practice II

3
RCP 231Advanced Respiratory Care Practices and Procedures II

4
RCP 239Clinical Practice III

3
RCP 241Advanced Cardiopulminary Diagnostics and Monitoring

2
RCP 242Neonatal/Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Respiratory Care

3
RCP 249Clinical Practice IV

3
RCP 251Critical Thinking Skills for Resp C

3
RCP 259Clinical Practice V

6