The A.A.S. in Respiratory Care will prepare the student to become a well-rounded, competent professional entry level Respiratory Therapist who is eligible to pursue the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential in Respiratory Care. Upon A.A.S. degree completion, the graduate is eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care’s Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC), Examination. The graduate must pass this exam at the ‘low cut score’ to receive the credential of Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT). This credential allows the CRT to apply for a state license. Once the graduate passes the TMC at the ‘high cut score’, they can then progress to the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE), to complete their RRT credential.

Successful completion of the program can lead to employment as a respiratory therapist in hospitals, clinics or home settings or branch off into research, sales, education or other career opportunities.

This selective admissions program requires students to submit a separate application or to take additional action before enrolling.

For more information about the Respiratory Care program at Malcolm X College, visit the program website.

Program Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education Coursework 1
ENGLISH 101	Composition	3
MATH 118	General Education Math (or higher Mathematics course) 2	4
PHYSICS 131	Mechanics And Power	3
Fine Arts & Humanities course		3
Social and Behavioral Sciences course		3
Required Program Core
RESP TC 114	Basic Respiratory Care	4
RESP TC 115	Cardiopulmonary/Renal Anatomy & Physiology	3
RESP TC 116	Patient Assessment	2
RESP TC 117	Respiratory Pharmacology	1
RESP TC 118	Respiratory-Microbiology	2
RESP TC 119	Respiratory Care Lab I	3
RESP TC 127	Clinical Practice I	3
RESP TC 129	Clinical Practice II	3
RESP TC 137	Advanced Pathology & Clinical Application	3
RESP TC 139	Respiratory Care Lab II	2
RESP TC 141	Ventilatory-Mechanics I	3
RESP TC 146	Ventilatory Mechanics II	3
RESP TC 200	Respiratory Care Lab III	2
RESP TC 222	Clinical Practice III	3
RESP TC 224	Clinical Practice IV	4
RESP TC 225	Age Specific Care	3
RESP TC 227	Critical Care Services	4
RESP TC 230	Advanced Cardiopulmonary Monitoring	3
RESP TC 250	Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Home Care	1
RESP TC 260	Advanced Specialty Topics	3
Total Hours		71

¹

One course must fulfill the Human Diversity (HD) requirement

²

Except MATH 140 College Algebra

Pathway

This is an example course sequence for students interested in earning a degree in Respiratory Care. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If this pathway is followed as outlined, you will earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS) in Respiratory Care.

Prospective students must apply for admission into the Respiratory Care program.

Semester-by-Semester Program Plan for Full-Time Students

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students by adding more semesters.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
ENGLISH 101	Composition 1	3
MATH 118	General Education Math 1	4
CHEM 121	Basic Chemistry I 2	4
Select one of the following:		4
BIOLOGY 116	Introduction to Anatomy And Physiology 2
BIOLOGY 226 & BIOLOGY 227	Human Structure and Function I and Human Structure and Function II 2,3
	Hours	15
Semester 2
PHYSICS 131	Mechanics And Power 1	3
Fine Arts & Humanities course 1		3
Social and Behavioral Sciences course (HD) 1		3
	Hours	9
Semester 3
Fall I
RESP TC 114	Basic Respiratory Care	4
RESP TC 115	Cardiopulmonary/Renal Anatomy & Physiology	3
RESP TC 116	Patient Assessment	2
RESP TC 117	Respiratory Pharmacology	1
RESP TC 118	Respiratory-Microbiology	2
RESP TC 119	Respiratory Care Lab I	3
	Hours	15
Semester 4
Spring I
RESP TC 127	Clinical Practice I	3
RESP TC 137	Advanced Pathology & Clinical Application	3
RESP TC 139	Respiratory Care Lab II	2
RESP TC 141	Ventilatory-Mechanics I	3
	Hours	11
Semester 5
Summer I
RESP TC 129	Clinical Practice II	3
RESP TC 146	Ventilatory Mechanics II	3
	Hours	6
Semester 6
Fall II
RESP TC 200	Respiratory Care Lab III	2
RESP TC 222	Clinical Practice III	3
RESP TC 225	Age Specific Care	3
RESP TC 227	Critical Care Services	4
	Hours	12
Semester 7
Spring II
RESP TC 224	Clinical Practice IV	4
RESP TC 230	Advanced Cardiopulmonary Monitoring	3
RESP TC 250	Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Home Care	1
RESP TC 260	Advanced Specialty Topics	3
	Hours	11
	Total Hours	79

¹

General Education Requirement

²

Program Prerequisite

³

BIOLOGY 227 Human Structure and Function II next semester

Choose your courses with your College Advisor.

Program Admission Requirements

• 18 years of age or older
• Complete the application packet
• Grade of “C” or better in:

  Course List

  Code	Title	Hours
  ENGLISH 101	Composition (or higher)	3
  MATH 118	General Education Math (or higher Mathematics course)	4
  CHEM 121	Basic Chemistry I	4
  BIOLOGY 116	Introduction to Anatomy And Physiology	4
  or BIOLOGY 226 & BIOLOGY 227	Human Structure and Function I and Human Structure and Function II

• 2.5 College GPA
• Official college transcripts
• Submit program application via the student portal (my.ccc.edu). See program website for more details.¹

¹

Students enrolled in prerequisite courses in current semester are eligible to apply to the Respiratory Care program, provided they can demonstrate a course grade of “C” or better. However, admission cannot be granted until all requirements are complete. Students that meet all of the minimum admission requirements listed above will be scheduled for an interview with the program admission committee. Students that complete this interview will be considered for admission to the program. Please note that admission is highly competitive and that not all students who are interviewed will be admitted. Students are advised to prepare for the interview, to arrive early, and to dress appropriately for a professional interview. Students are also advised to carefully prepare their application, giving special attention to content and format.

Background Check

Students entering most healthcare professions programs will be required to present documentation of health history and vaccination status, to undergo annual tuberculosis screening, to submit to a background check, to submit to initial and random drug screening, and to undergo fingerprinting prior to licensing with the state of Illinois. Students should consult with an advisor if any of these requirements are a concern.

For more information about the admissions requirements and application process, visit the program website.

Careers

This program can prepare students for the jobs listed below. Click on each one to learn more, including average earnings, annual job openings, and how much education people in that field have. For additional guidance and resources on career options, current City Colleges students and alumni can contact the Career Services Office.

Respiratory Therapists

Job Description

Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.

Salary Based on Experience Level

Take a look at the average hourly/annual earnings for this career in Cook County

Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES data from the BLS and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.

• View Annual Wages
• View Hourly Wages

Annual Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile	$54,925
Median 50th Percentile	$68,356
Senior-Level 90th Percentile	$82,525

Hourly Wages

Entry-Level 10th Percentile	$26
Median 50th Percentile	$33
Senior-Level 90th Percentile	$40

Annual Job Openings

132 annual openings in Cook County

National Education Attainment

Here, you can see the level of education that people in this career complete.

Degree Program	% of Jobs
A high school diploma or less	0.00%
A certificate	5.15%
Some college	0.00%
An Associate degree	82.75%
A Bachelor's degree	12.10%
A Master's or Professional degree	0.00%
A Doctoral degree or more	0.00%

12.10% continue their education beyond an associate degree