Program Overview

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Overview

Respiratory Care encompasses the evaluation, treatment, and care of patients with breathing or cardiopulmonary disorders. Practicing under the direction of a physician, respiratory therapists must be proficient in all areas of respiratory care, such as bedside pulmonary care, life-support systems management, diagnostic testing, pulmonary rehabilitation, and long-term care. Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat all types of patients, from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed to elderly people whose lungs are diseased.

Program graduates earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care exam required to earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Additionally, students may apply for a student license to practice respiratory care in the state of Ohio after successful completion of the first year in the program. Upon completion of the associate's degree program, students have the option of continuing their education in the University of Cincinnati’s online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) degree if desired.

Program Details

• Duration: 2 Years
• Total Credits: 65
• Award: AAS

Success

There are essential functions required of all students enrolled in the Respiratory Care Program. Respiratory therapists are responsible for the care of patients, some critically ill. RTs often use highly technical life support equipment and often make decisions that can affect patient outcomes and safety. Therefore, to be successful in the Respiratory Care Program, all students must be able to perform, or learn to perform, the essential functions listed below. Students who are not capable of performing, or do not demonstrate that they are effectively performing these essential functions in the classroom, lab, or clinical setting will not be permitted to continue in the Respiratory Care Program.

Career

Respiratory care is an excellent, constantly growing and changing field. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that respiratory care is one of the fastest-growing careers in the healthcare field, expected to grow 14 percent through 2031, with a median salary of $61,830.

The graduating class of 2020 saw 100 percent of students find a job within six months of graduation. Their employers rated them as satisfactory in all areas of review. One hundred percent of this class passed the Therapist Multiple Choice Board Exam.

Curriculum

The respiratory class sequence starts each fall semester and continues for five semesters including one summer term. The respiratory care courses are offered during days, Monday through Friday.

Advising

Academic advising is an essential part of your educational experience. We are committed to providing advice and assistance throughout your academic journey. You and your advisor work together to create an academic plan based on your goals.

UC Advantages And Special Opportunities

UC Clermont students have access to free tutoring and academic support services through Learning Commons. The Learning Commons provides centralized academic support for all University of Cincinnati students by bringing together faculty, best-practices in teaching and learning, and hundreds of outstanding peer educators to create flexible academic success programming. Free services available to UC Clermont students include:

• Academic coaching
• Group review sessions
• Success skills workshops
• Tutoring in writing, math, science, and more
• Services are available on-campus or virtually

Admission Requirements

Application to the UC Clermont Respiratory Care program is a two-level process. UC Clermont is an open-access college, and all students are admitted after completing the application. However, admission into the Respiratory Care Program is selective and requires a separate application, which should be submitted between January 1 and February 15 of every year. The program admits up to 25 students each fall semester. Admission is selective and based upon pre-determined criteria.

All applicants to the program must have:

• A high school diploma or GED
• Completed high school or college-level biology with a grade of C or better
• An overall GPA of 2.75 or higher
• Test into college-level reading, writing, and algebra or statistics

Once admitted into the Respiratory Care Program, you will be required to submit the following documentation before you begin the program:

• Physical examination
• TB test
• Proof of current immunizations
• Background check
• American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider

Transferring To UC

We accept transfer applications all year long, and you may start any semester, provided your transcripts arrive in time to be evaluated before the start of the semester you wish to attend.

Changing Majors Within UC

Other UC students may transfer into Clermont College by completing the application for change in college and program. You are urged to see your advisor before transferring into a different major to minimize any impact on your degree progress.

International Student Requirements

You must demonstrate English proficiency. You must also meet admissions deadlines and visa requirements, and provide documentation of sufficient funds before we can complete your admission.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from UC Clermont, a student must:

• Complete all required course work and program requirements
• Obtain at least a 2.0 university grade point average
• Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension
• Meet the college's residency requirement of 20 semester credit hours
• File formal application for the degree by the posted semester of graduation deadline

Application Deadlines

For specific deadline information, visit the Admissions webpage.

Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The UC Clermont Respiratory Program, CoARC #, an Associate Degree program, is located on the UC Clermont campus and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

Program Outcomes

Programmatic outcomes data reported on the CoARC website include:

• 3-year time period being reported
• RRT credentialing success
• Achievement of the high cut score on the TMC Exam
• Retention
• Job placement
• Overall graduate and employer satisfaction
• Total number of program enrollees
• Total number of program graduates
• Maximum annual enrollment