Associate in Science Degree in Respiratory Care
San Bruno, USA
Associate of Science
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2027
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Fast-track counseling
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Key Summary
About: Skyline College’s Associate in Science in Respiratory Care is a two-year programme in San Bruno, California. It trains students to diagnose, treat and manage patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary disorders, teaching clinical skills, ventilator support and patient management. The programme is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). California licensure requires completion of a CoARC-accredited programme, an associate degree from a regionally accredited agency, the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential and a board‑approved law and ethics course.
Career Outcomes: Graduates become Respiratory Care Practitioners in hospitals, clinics, home care and rehabilitation; they can pursue RRT licensure.
Respiratory Care is a two-year program that prepares students to administer care and life support to patients with breathing disorders and cardiopulmonary abnormalities. Respiratory Care Practitioners participate in three phases of patient care: diagnosis, treatment, and patient management.
Skyline College's Respiratory Care Program is accredited by Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Therapy (CoARC).
Licensure/Certification Eligibility Requirements:
California state licensure requires completion of a CoARC accredited Respiratory Care program, a minimum of an associate degree from a regionally accredited agency, a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, and a board approved law and ethics course.
In addition to in-person studies, most programs are available through the Global Online Learning (GOL) Program, which allows students to take classes fully online from their home countries.
Required Courses
- Introduction to Patient Care & Respiratory Assessment Techniques
- Respiratory Pharmacology
- Application of Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology
- Introduction to Respiratory Therapeutics
- Clinical Clerkship I
- Respiratory Diseases I
- Clinical Clerkship II
- Respiratory Diseases II
- Clinical Clerkship III
- Respiratory Critical Care
- Diagnostic Testing and Outpatient Respiratory Care
- Clinical Medicine Seminar and Professional Development
- Clinical Clerkship IV
- Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care
- Respiratory Care Board Examination Preparation and Review
Total Required Major Units: 46
Plus Chemistry, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology and required General Education coursework and electives as needed to meet the minimum 60 units required for the Associate degree.
Students completing this program will be able to:
- Obtain the RRT credential.
- Obtain gainful employment as a Licensed Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP).
- Demonstrate competency in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains when providing respiratory care.
The San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley (SMCSV) offer more than 50 institutional scholarships each year, and all enrolled students are eligible to apply. Award amounts range from $300 to $7,000, helping make college more affordable. Students can also apply for external scholarships, such as the $1,000 Study in California Scholarship, to further support their educational journey.
Respiratory Care Practitioner
Build your English skills while earning credits toward your degree through the IESL Pathway Program at Cañada College. No English proficiency test score is required to apply to IESL.