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Respiratory Care • Associate in Applied Science

General Program

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.
  • 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, 421 N. 9th St, 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. Chapter 112, Section 103-17, of the Illinois Public Community College Act requires that whenever enrollment in a program must be restricted because of space limitations, a college must give preference to district residents. Consequently, admissions to this program for students who live outside of LLCC District 526 are based on space availability and qualified applicant pool.  
  • 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.
  • This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, 264 Precision Blvd., Telford, TN 37690, 817-283-2835, www.coarc.com

Admission Requirements

Pre-application requirements:

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

  • Attend an online information sessions at Respiratory Care.  Due to limited enrollment, student selection criteria are covered in detail. 

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
  • 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.
  • Demonstrate placement into BIO 175
  • Submit the Respiratory Care program application with the assistance of a Health Professions Student Success 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 from the American Heart Association 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.

To learn more about this program or view contact information, visit Respiratory Care or see a student success advisor. 

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
Total Credit Hours:16

Second Semester:

BIO 176Human Anatomy and Physiology II

4
RCP 120Mechanical Ventilation

3
RCP 121Applied Science for Respiratory Care

2
RCP 122Advanced Respiratory Care Practices and Procedures I

3
RCP 129Clinical Practice II

3
Total Credit Hours:15

Third Semester:

RCP 231Advanced Respiratory Care Practices and Procedures II

4
RCP 239Clinical Practice III

3
Total Credit Hours:7

Fourth Semester:

EGL 101Composition I

3
 
PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3
OR
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology

3
 
RCP 241Advanced Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics and Monitoring

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

3
RCP 249Clinical Practice IV

3
Total Credit Hours:14

Fifth Semester:

EGL 102Composition II

3
RCP 250Respiratory Care Capstone

4
RCP 259Clinical Practice V

6
Total Credit Hours:13

Course Requirements:

Required General Education Courses

Please see your Student Success 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
Total Credit Hours:17

Required Program Courses

RCP 110Respiratory Care Pathology, Anatomy and Physiology

4
RCP 111Basic Therapeutic Practices

6
RCP 119Clinical Practice I

2
RCP 120Mechanical Ventilation

3
RCP 121Applied Science 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 Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics and Monitoring

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

3
RCP 249Clinical Practice IV

3
RCP 250Respiratory Care Capstone

4
RCP 259Clinical Practice V

6
Total Credit Hours:48

Total Credit Hours: 65