Respiratory Care Therapist AAS

The Respiratory Care Therapist AAS degree (AAS_RESC) is offered at LSC-Kingwood and has additional entrance requirements. For more information, please contact the Respiratory Care Department.

Visit the Health Science cluster page for similar careers.

Program Description

The course of study for a respiratory therapist is a 65 credit-hour (six semesters) associate of applied science degree program. The respiratory care program prepares graduates for the credentialing examinations from the NBRC (National Board for Respiratory Care). The program is fully accredited by CoARC (Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care 1248 Harwood Road; Bedford, Texas 76021-4244; Phone 817.283.2835; website http://www.coarc.com/). The respiratory care program prepares graduates to be competent in delivery of therapeutic procedures in acute care settings, in performing diagnostic procedures, and in performing rehabilitation therapeutic procedures.

The respiratory care program also prepares graduates to assist physicians in the diagnosis of cardiopulmonary disorders, to provide emergency cardiopulmonary care in the emergency room, and to implement therapist driven protocols in the practice of respiratory care. Many clinical facilities will require students to successfully pass a background check and drug screen. Areas for employment of respiratory care professionals include acute care hospitals, sub-acute care hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, hyperbaric medicine, home care facilities, and physician offices.

Clinical/Practicum courses in the 2^nd year of the AAS Program are twelve hours and may be scheduled 7AM-7PM or 7PM-7AM at the discretion of the Program.  For the Evening Program the lecture/lab classes are scheduled 5-10PM initially M-TH, but the clinic/practicum courses are either 7AM-3PM or 3PM-11PM in the first year one day a week.  Semesters 4 and 5 are 7AM-7PM or 7PM–7AM one day a week, and two days a week in Semester 6 from 7AM-7PM or 7PM–7AM, at the program’s discretion.

The general education core will transfer to a variety of colleges and universities. Contact a counselor or faculty member at any of the colleges for specific information and to obtain the recommended sequencing of courses. See LoneStar.edu/respiratory-care-requirements for additional program information.

General Guidelines

Upon acceptance into the program, students must submit a record of current immunizations required by the Texas Department of Health. Criminal background checks may be required by clinical facilities. The background check will be processed through the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Completion of the respiratory care program does not guarantee eligibility to take the CRT exam administered by the NBRC or certification by the Texas Department of Health.

The Texas Department of Health Respiratory Care Certification will consider individuals with histories of convictions, mental illness and/or chemical dependency on an individual basis after review.

Admissions Criteria

The respiratory care program accepts new students in the spring and fall of every year. Prerequisite courses must be completed one semester prior to the semester in which the student wishes to begin the program. In addition to the system admissions requirements, the following are requirements for the respiratory therapist program:

Program Application Instructions

1. Minimum age of 18
2. Graduation from high school verified with high school transcript or GED certificate verified by a copy of the certificate.
   
3. Complete TSI requirements: complete MATH 0308 with eligibility to enter MATH 0310. To determine your status, see college advisor.
   
4. College placement exam results
5. Complete nine (9) semester hours of college level course work including: ENGL 1301 and BIOL 2401 with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
6. Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended other than LSCS. Submit these documents directly to the respiratory care department at LSC-Kingwood.
7. Complete Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT).
8. Complete and submit an application to the respiratory care program.
9. Submit an essay written on why the individual wishes to enter the field of respiratory care.
10. Submit an advising profile directly to the respiratory care department at LSC-Kingwood.
11. Application and all required documents must be submitted before the specified application deadlines.

College eligibility information may be obtained from the counseling office 281.312.1604.

Student Selection

1. Admission is limited to twenty (20) students.
2. Students are ranked and selected by the admissions committee using the following criteria:
   1. Scoring of all academic courses applying to the degree plan using a numeric scale
   2. Completion of previous degrees
   3. HSRT scores
   4. Essay
   5. Points are deducted for retakes of academi courses.

Pre-Admission

1. A physical examination report with laboratory tests and immunization records signed by a licensed healthcare provider within six weeks of the first class day is required. This form will be provided upon acceptance into the program.
2. Hepatitis B vaccination is required for all admissions to the respiratory care program. The enrolling student must complete the series of three vaccinations prior to entering the clinical practicum in the hospital setting.
3. All students must complete background checks prior to entering the respiratory care program. Drug testing will also be completed prior to entering clinical affiliates which require mandatory drug testing. Contact the department for Information at 281.312.1708.
4. Attendance at an orientation session, after student selection is complete, will be scheduled prior to the first class meeting.

Program Plan

First Year Credits

Second Year Credits

Total Credits