The AAS in Respiratory Care is a one-plus-one hybrid degree program which prepares students to practice as Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and to become state licensed as a Respiratory Care Practitioner after successfully completing the Respiratory Therapy Exam administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). To obtain the NBRC Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential, graduates must pass the exam with the low-cut score. In order to obtain the NBRC Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential, graduates must pass the exam at the high-cut score. North Central Missouri College (NCMC) is one of five colleges in the Missouri Health Professions Consortium (MHPC) currently selected to offer the program. NCMC offers and enrolls students in the general education coursework; sophomore level (professional level) coursework is taught by East Central College (ECC) faculty via a hybrid approach through internet-based technology.
Through the combination of general coursework, professional-level coursework, classroom, laboratory practice and clinical experience, students learn the profession of respiratory care. The Professional Year does not run on a traditional NCMC academic cycle. Classes begin in the fall semester and will run until the next fall semester of the following year. Completion of professional coursework takes one full year.
The Respiratory Care Program (Program #200690) offering an Associate’s in Applied Science (AAS) degree at East Central College and the Missouri Health Profession Consortium is located at 1964 Prairie Dell Rd, Union, MO is provisionally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
WHAT IS A RESPIRATORY THERAPIST
Registered Respiratory Therapists evaluate, treat and care for patients with impaired lung and heart function. Patients with breathing disorders and other cardiopulmonary disorders range in age from premature infants with undeveloped lungs to children/adults with asthma and older adults experiencing chronic lung and heart diseases such as emphysema, COPD and congestive heart failure. Respiratory Therapists can work in a variety of environments including: pediatric and adult hospitals, rehabilitation centers, physician practices, home care and medical care companies, ground and air ambulance services, pulmonary function laboratories and sleep study centers. The program will provide each graduate with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to potentially make a difference in the lives of patients seeking treatment.
PRE-REQUISITE COURSES
Must complete pre-requisite courses prior to beginning the Respiratory Care Hybrid Program with a “C” or above
FIRST SEMESTER
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BI240 | Human Anatomy | 4 |
| SP175 | Speech OR | |
| SP220 | Interpersonal Communications | 3 |
| EN101 | *English 1 | 3 |
| PY121 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Total | 13 | |
SECOND SEMESTER
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BI242 | **Human Physiology | 4 |
| AH160 | Basic Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MT110 | *Intermediate Algebra | 3 |
| HI103 | *American History to 1877 OR | |
| HI104 | *American History Since 1877 | |
| PL216 | *National Government | 3 |
| Total | 13 | |
*Testing Required
**These courses require another course to be taken prior
- Dual credit/Transfer credit – This plan is designed for students with no dual or transfer credit. Consider any prior college credit to avoid repeating coursework. We will need official transcripts for these courses.
- Developmental Studies – This plan assumes that the student does not need to take Developmental Studies courses. Placement test scores determine whether or not the student will need to complete Developmental Studies courses. You can learn more about Developmental Studies courses in the NCMC Academic Catalog.
- * This program prepares students for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Certification Examination and meets educational requirements for licensure in the states of Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa. Individuals will be a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) upon successful completion of coursework and passing of the national certification exam. Licensure in Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa requires passing the NBRC Certification Examination as well as meeting other requirements. For more information on Missouri licensing rules as well as other states, please visit our Licensure Programs
RESPIRATORY CARE COURSES
Once accepted into the Respiratory Care Hybrid Program, you will take the following courses.
FIRST SEMESTER
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RC101 | Fundamentals of Respiratory Care (1st 8 weeks) | 3 |
| RC165 | Respiratory Pharmacology | 2 |
| RC110 | Respiratory Physiology | 3 |
| RC115 | Respiratory Equipment & Therapeutics (1st 8 weeks) | 3 |
| RC120 | Respiratory Care Clinical I (2nd 8 weeks) | 1 |
| RC121 | Respiratory Care Lab I | 2 |
| Total | 14 | |
SECOND SEMESTER
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RC155 | Mechanical Ventilation | 3 |
| RC160 | Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics | 3 |
| RC170 | Respiratory Care Clinical II | 2 |
| RC171 | Respiratory Care Lab II | 1 |
| RC105 | Introduction to Respiratory Disease | 3 |
| RC205 | Specialized Respiratory Procedures | 3 |
| Total | 15 | |
Third SEMESTER
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RC201 | Neonatal & Pediatric Respiratory Care | 3 |
| RC220 | Respiratory Care Clinical III | 3 |
| RC221 | Respiratory Care Lab III | 1 |
| RC291 | Respiratory Care Capstone | 2 |
| RC150 | Advanced Respiratory Care | 3 |
| Total | 12 | |
LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THIS PROGRAM
ACCREDITATION
The Respiratory Care Program (Program #200690) offering an Associate’s in Applied Science (AAS) degree at East Central College and the Missouri Health Profession Consortium is located at 1964 Prairie Dell Rd, Union, MO is provisionally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
PROGRAMMATIC OUTCOMES DATA
The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented. The information on outcomes of all accredited programs can be found on CoARC Programmatic Outcomes Data .
PROGRAM GOALS
To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and the affective (behavior) domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the Respiratory Care AAS degree, the graduate will be eligible to:
- Utilize Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Skills:
Graduates will demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking and problem-solving to aid in the accurate diagnosis, effective management, and treatment of patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. - Evaluate Assessment Data and Apply Interventions:
Graduates will be able to systematically evaluate assessment data, apply appropriate interventions, and administer prescribed respiratory care to patients with cardiopulmonary diseases, ensuring optimal patient outcomes. - Demonstrate Technical Proficiency:
Graduates will exhibit technical proficiency in all required skills, performing their roles as registered respiratory therapists safely and effectively. - Educate Various Stakeholders:
Graduates will possess the ability to educate patients, their families, healthcare professionals, and community members on matters related to cardiopulmonary wellness, disease prevention, and management, fostering health literacy. - Communication Skills:
Graduates will recognize, demonstrate, and apply written and oral communication skills essential for effective interaction in the healthcare setting. This includes communicating with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals. - Professional Ethics and Legal Compliance:
Graduates will practice within the registered respiratory therapist’s professional moral, ethical, legal, and regulatory framework. This includes adhering to established standards of conduct, ensuring patient confidentiality, and maintaining the highest level of professionalism.
GENERAL INFORMATION
- General Education courses taken at NCMC
- LIVE synchronized lecture utilizing internet-based technology
- Mandatory In-Person Lab sessions in Columbia on the CMU campus (1 day/week)
- Mandatory Centralized labs in Union on East Central College campus (1-2 times per semester)
- Off-Campus clinical rotations
- Determined by faculty
- Minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.75
- Minimum of “C” or above required in general education courses
- TEAS Exam within last two years with minimum composite score of 65%
- 16 hours of Observation with a RRT
- Respiratory Care Application
- MHPC (Missouri Health Professionals Consortium)
- Respiratory Care Student Handbook
PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION
KRISTI CUTSINGER, MBA
Director of Health Sciences
[email protected]
(660) 357-6284
RESPIRATORY CARE CONTACT
Dr. Nancy Mitchell, EdD, MSN, RN
Dean of Health Sciences and Director of Nursing
Health Science Building – Suite 105
1964 Prairie Dell Road
Union, O 63084
[email protected]
(636) 584-6616
Valerie Norwood, MBA, RRT
MHPC Respiratory Care Program Director
[email protected]
(636) 584-6145
Denise King
Respiratory Care Director of Clinical Education
[email protected]
(636) 210-4651
Lori Newcomb
Administrative Data Specialist Respiratory Care
[email protected]
(636) 584-6589
A PATHWAY FOR EVERY PIRATE
A PATHWAY FOR EVERY PIRATE
Choose from over 30 degree options in nine career and academic areas.
Choose from over 30 degree options in nine career and academic areas.