Respiratory Therapy Coursework | NorthWest Arkansas Community College
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Health Professions

Respiratory Therapy Coursework

As an NWACC student, you're provided a road map to obtain your Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy. 

The Respiratory Therapy (RT) degree plan consists of 30 credit hours of prerequisite coursework and 52 credit hours of RESP course work. Candidates may apply for the RT program through an online application in the spring for fall admission.

  • The RT program faculty do not recommend taking additional courses while enrolled in the RT program. 
  • RT students will attend day-time technical classes at the NWACC Bentonville campus and are required to take the courses in sequence.
  • All RT courses require the use of computers and NWACC’s learning management system: Canvas.
  • To progress and complete the degree requirements, courses are to be completed with a 76% for a grade of a “C” or higher.
  • Students will have scheduled experience within clinical facilities. Clinical rotation assignments are made by a lottery system. 
  • To complete the RT program, students must demonstrate proficiency with RT procedures in the laboratory and in clinical practice.


Coursework

Prerequisite courses that MUST be completed with the minimum grade of "C" by the end of Summer I session:

  • BIOL 2214 Anatomy and Physiology I AND  BIOL 2224 Anatomy and Physiology II
  • MBIO 2014 Microbiology
  • CISQ 1103 Intro to Computer Information OR HIM 1123 Electronic Health Records
  • ENGL 1013 Composition I 
  • HIM 1001 Intro to Medical Terminology OR HIM 1403 Med Term for Health Sciences
  • MATH 1003 Survey of Technical Math or Higher

Courses required to meet the degree, but can be taken as co-requisites with the Respiratory Therapy classes:

  • ENGL 1023 Composition II OR ENGL 2013 Technical Writing
  • PSYC 2003 General Psychology

RESP 2102 Concepts in Respiratory Care
RESP 2103 Cardiopulmonary A and P
RESP 2104 Respiratory Care Sciences
RESP 2204 Cardio Assessment and Diagnostic

RESP 2123 Pulmonary Diseases
RESP 2214 Equipment and Procedures
RESP 2222 Pharm for Respiratory Care
 Choose ONE:
ENGL 1023 Composition II
ENGL 2013 Technical Writing

RESP 2306 Clinical Practicum
RESP 2501 CARDIAC RHYTHMS WEB BASED

RESP 2414 Mechanical Ventilation I
RESP 2423 Clinical Practicum II
RESP 2433 Pediatrics and Perinatology
PSYC 2003 General Psychology

RESP 2514 Mechanical Ventilation II
RESP 2523 Clinical Practicum III
RESP 2533 Critical Care
RESP 2503 Professional Development


Respiratory Therapist Degree:

AAS in Respiratory Therapy

The Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.) is designed for employment purposes and may not transfer to another institution. While some institutions accept some courses in A.A.S. programs, the general rule is that courses in A.A.S. degree are not accepted toward a bachelor's degree. Schedule an appointment with the Respiratory Therapist Program Director or Health Professions Advisor for more information regarding transfer credit.