var scriptNodes = Array.prototype.slice.call(document.querySelectorAll("script[src*='mapmaker.losrios.edu']")); var scriptNode = scriptNodes[scriptNodes.length - 1]; scriptNode.parentNode.insertBefore($('
' + '

Respiratory Care A.S. Degree

Full Time

This program roadmap represents one possible pathway to complete the program. Please see a counselor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs. This roadmap is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.

Catalog:
2025-26
GE Pattern:
local AA/AS
Total Units:
79
Start Term:
Spring

Prior to Enrolling in the Program

Prerequisite Courses

18 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
Req
AH 311
Medical Language for Health-Care Providers
3
Req
BIOL 430
Anatomy and Physiology
5
(see below)
L5
Req
BIOL 431
Anatomy and Physiology
5
BIOL 430
RE
BIOL 442 1
General Microbiology and Public Health
5
(see below)

BIOL 430 prerequisite: CHEM 305, 309, or 400 

BIOL 442 prerequisite: CHEM 305, and BIOL 300, 303, 310, or 431 

1 or BIOL 440


This program has eligibility requirements and a selection process. Detailed information about the program and pre- enrollment applications may be found in the college catalog and on the college website.

First Year

Semester 1 (Spring)

14 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
Req
RC 110
Cardiopulmonary Pathologies for Respiratory Care
4
Req
RC 111
Principles of Respiratory Care
7
RE
PSYC 390
Psychology of Death and Dying
3
L4

Semester 2 (Summer)

3 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
Req
RC 123
Clinical Externship I
3
RC 110 and 111

Semester 3 (Fall)

12 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
Req
RC 121
Concepts of Airway Care & Mechanical Ventilation
4
RC 110 and 111
Req
RC 122
Airway Care & Mechanical Ventilation Laboratory
1
RC 110 and 111
Req
RC 124
Respiratory Care Pharmacology
3
RC 110 and 111
RE
ENGL C1000
Academic Reading and Writing or
3
L1A
ENGL C1000H H
Academic Reading and Writing - Honors
3
Elec
any Area L7A (Physical Education) course 2
1
L7A

Second Year

Semester 4 (Spring)

13 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
Req
RC 130
Respiratory Care in Neonatal and Pediatric Populations & Diagnostic Studies
3
(see below)
Req
RC 131
Respiratory Care in Neonatal and Pediatric Populations & Diagnostic Studies Laboratory
1
(see below)
Req
RC 132
Clinical Externship II
6
(see below)
GE
MATH 300
Introduction to Mathematical Ideas
3
L2

RC 130/131/132 prerequisite: RC 121, 122, 123 and 124

Semester 5 (Summer)

5 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
GE
any Area L3 (Arts & Humanities) course
3
L3
Elec
any Area L7B (Life Development Skills) course 2
2
L7B

2 Students in majors (like this one) with 45 units or more of required coursework are exempt from the Area L7 general education requirement. See a counselor if you wish to waive this requirement.

Semester 6 (Fall)

14 Units
CAT. COURSE UNIT Prerequisites GE AREA
Req
RC 140
Professional Development in Respiratory Care
2
(see below)
Req
RC 142
Clinical Externship III
6
(see below)
GE
any Area L1B (Oral Communication & Critical Thinking) course
3
L1B
GE
any Area L6 (Ethnic Studies) course
3
L6

RC 140/142 prerequisite: RC 130, 131 and 132

H honors courses

Explanation of Categories
Req Required Core A course that is required for this program
RE Restricted Elective A course selected from a list of elective courses specified for this program in the course list in the catalog, which can be replaced with another course from the same list
Elec Degree Elective A degree-applicable course that is part of a degree roadmap to ensure that there is a total of at least 60 units, which is a requirement for an associate degree
GE General Education A course that fulfills a specific general education requirement for a degree, which can be replaced with another course that meets the same requirement

Career path

Career Options:

This degree prepares students for licensure as a Respiratory Care Practitioner in the state of California, at the Advanced Registered Respiratory Therapist level.

Career opportunities include positions in hospitals, physician’s offices, home health care services, and medical supply companies.

Advising Notes:

  • Students can substitute ESLW 340 for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly known as ENGWR 300/480).
  • This degree can be completed using either the local AA/AS general education (GE) pattern or the Cal-GETC transfer GE pattern. See a counselor to determine which pattern is best for you based on your academic goals.
  • It is highly recommended that students complete all of their general education coursework prior to enrolling in the program.

Scheduling Notes:

  • RC 110, 111, 130, 131, and 132 are offered in the spring.
  • RC 123 is offered in the summer.
  • RC 121, 122, 124, 140, and 142 are offered in the fall.

Other Notes:

  • Students must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Information about the program and pre-enrollment applications may be found in the college catalog.
  • The Respiratory Care program currently accepts students once per year for the spring semester, which begins in January. The deadline to submit an application is the second Friday in October.
  • To enroll in this program, students must have a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in the following prerequisite courses, passing each course with a “C” or better: AH 110, BIOL 430, BIOL 431, BIOL 440 or 442.

Published April 24, 2025

' + '
Download PDF
').get()[0], scriptNode.nextSibling);