Respiratory Care
Program Overview
The Respiratory Care associate degree program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for careers in the field of respiratory care. Learning opportunities develop academic and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement.
The program emphasizes specialized training in areas such as pulmonary and cardiac pharmacology, medical gases, humidity/aerosol therapy, positive pressure ventilation, incentive spirometry, patient assessment, postural drainage, percussion/vibration, assessment of diseases and conditions, critical respiratory care, advanced critical care monitoring, pulmonary function testing, and pediatric and neonatal respiratory care.
Program graduates receive a Respiratory Care Associate Degree of Applied Science which qualifies them to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) examinations to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist. To work in the state of Georgia, all respiratory care practitioners must apply and be granted a license. The only way to obtain a license is to successfully pass NBRC board exams.
Students may enter the Respiratory Care degree program every semester. A full-time student can complete this program in 6 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 81 semester credit hours.
For more information on Respiratory Care professions, please visit the following websites:
National Board for Respiratory Care
American Association for Respiratory Care
Georgia Society for Respiratory Care
Georgia Composite Medical Board
Completion of Oconee Fall Line Technical College’s CoARC-accredited Respiratory Care program meets educational requirements to apply for a Respiratory Care professional license in Georgia.
Career Traits/Requirements
Individuals wanting to enroll in the Respiratory Care degree program must have good work ethics, be people oriented and possess great organizational skills. Instruction and practical application of learned skills provide a broad occupational background which appeals to prospective employers.
Offered at the Following Campus
South Campus (Dublin)
Salary Potential
$33,696.00 – $60,748.00
Program Costs
Tuition & Fees: $10,086.00
Books & Supplies: $4,500.00
Additional Fees
Malpractice Insurance: $11.00
Drug Screen: $42.00
Criminal Background Check: $49.50
BLS for Healthcare Provider: $7.00
Testing Fee (RESP 2090): $358.75
ACLS Certification: $10.00
Testing Fee (RESP 2160): $358.75
PALS: $10.00
Testing Fee (RESP 2190): $358.75
NRP Certification: $40.00
Clinical Fees: up to $500.00
Science Lab Fees: $100.00
Testing Fee (RESP 2220): $358.75
(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Respiratory Care degree program can find a variety of employment opportunities in hospitals, home health companies, physicians’ offices, pulmonary function laboratories, and medical equipment sales.
Admission Requirements
- Submit a completed application and application fee;
- Be at least 18 years of age;
- Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript;
- Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
- OFTC may accept a student’s official entrance score on the following validated assessment instruments if the scores meet the required minimums: COMPASS/ASSET, SAT, ACT, PSAT, PACT, Accuplacer/Accuplacer Next Generation/Companion, HOPE GPA after completion of 10th grade of 2.6 or higher or GED.
Competitive Admission Requirements
Students must complete an application to compete for their name to be placed on the list of potential program students. If more students apply to compete than there are seats available, the competitive process is followed with the exception of PSB testing.
Access links and forms for Competitive Admissions Programs.
Access the Respiratory Handbook
Articulation Agreements
For information on further advancing your education after completing your Associate of Applied Science Degree, see our Articulation (Transfer) Agreements.
Course Overview
GENERAL EDUCATION CORE (Required minimum: 15 Semester Hours)AREA I - Language Arts/CommunicationENGL1101Composition and Rhetoric3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Appropriate Degree Level Writing (English) Placement Test Score and Appropriate Degree Level Reading Placement Test Score or ENGL 0988
Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.186AREA II - Social/Behavioral SciencesPSYC1101Introductory Psychology3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Appropriate Degree Level Writing (English) and Reading Placement Test Scores
Introduces the major fields of contemporary psychology. Emphasis is on fundamental principles of psychology as a science. Topics include research design, the organization and operation of the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, thinking and intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychopathology and interventions, stress and health, and social psychology.
473AREA III - Natural Sciences/MathematicsMATH1111College Algebra3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Appropriate Degree Level Math Placement Test Score or MATH 0098 and MATH 0099.
Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, and systems of equations; optional topics include sequences, series, and probability or analytic geometry.187CHEM1151Survey of Inorganic Chemistry3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: None
Co-Requisite: MATH 1101, MATH 1103, or MATH 1111 and CHEM 1151L
Provides an introduction to basic chemical principles and concepts which explain the behavior of matter. Topics include measurements and units, structure of matter, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, gas laws, liquid mixtures, acids and bases, salts and buffers, and nuclear chemistry.4624CHEM1151 LSurvey of Inorganic Chemistry Lab1 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: None
Co-Requisite: MATH 1101, MATH 1103, or MATH 1111 and CHEM 1151.
Selected laboratory experiments paralleling the topics in CHEM 1151. The lab exercises for this course include units of measurements, structure of matter, chemical bonding, chemical reactions, gas laws, liquid mixtures, acids and bases, salts and buffers, and nuclear chemistry.4626AREA IV - Humanities/Fine ArtsChoose one of the following:ENGL2110World Literature3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: ENGL 1101 with a "C" or better
This course explores the history of the human experience through literature and writing across the cultures of the world. Surveys of important works across multiple genres of fiction and non-fiction as a reflection of cultural values. Explores themes from the ancient through modern era6832ENGL2130American Literature3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: ENGL 1101
Emphasizes American literature as a reflection of culture and ideas. A survey of important works in American literature. Includes a variety of literary genres: short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and novels. Topics include literature and culture, essential themes and ideas, literature and history, and research skills.
471NON-GENERAL EDUCATION DEGREE COURSESBIOL2113Anatomy and Physiology I3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission
Co-Requisite: BIOL 2113 L
Introduces the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Emphasis is placed on the development of a systemic perspective of anatomical structures and physiological processes. Topics include body organization, cell structure and functions, tissue classifications, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous and sensory systems.316BIOL2113LAnatomy and Physiology Lab I1 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission
Co-Requisite: BIOL 2113
Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2113. The laboratory exercises for this course include body organization, cell structure and functions, tissue classifications, integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, and nervous sensory systems.317BIOL2114Anatomy and Physiology II3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L
Co-Requisite: BIOL 2114 L
Continues the study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Topics include the endocrine system, cardiovascular system, blood and lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.318BIOL2114LAnatomy and Physiology Lab II1 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: BIOL 2113, BIOL 2113L
Co-Requisite: BIOL 2114
Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2114. The laboratory exercises for this course include the endocrine system, cardiovascular system, blood and lymphatic system, immune system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system.319BIOL2117Introductory Microbiology3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: BIOL 2113 and BIOL 2113L OR BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1111L
Co-Requisite: BIOL 2117L
Provides students with a foundation in basic microbiology with emphasis on infectious disease. Topics include microbial diversity, microbial cell biology, microbial genetics, interactions and impact of microorganisms and humans, microorganisms and human disease.320BIOL2117LIntroductory Microbiology Lab1 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: BIOL 2113 and BIOL 2113L OR BIOL 1111 and BIOL 1111L
Co-Requisite: BIOL 2117
Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 2117. The laboratory exercises for this course include microbial diversity, microbial cell biology, microbial genetics, interactions and impact of microorganisms and humans, and microorganisms and human disease.321OCCUPATIONAL COURSESCOLL1060Introduction to College and Computers3 credit hours50 contact hoursPrerequisites: Provisional Admission
This course is designed to provide tools to assist students in the acquisition of skills necessary to achieve academic and professional success in their chosen program of study. Topics include: Getting to Know Your College, Learning Styles, Computer Literacy, Time and Financial Management, Stress Management and Wellness, Studying and Test-Taking Skills, and Communication Skills.3741RESP1110Pharmacology3 credit hours60 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission, BIOL 2114, BIOL 2114L and completion of either MATH 1101 or MATH 1111
Introduces the physiologic and pharmacological basis of pulmonary and cardiac medications. Focuses on the preparation and calculation of dosages and mixtures and general principles of pharmacology as they relate to the body systems. Topics include: drug preparation, dosage calculation, mixture preparation, pharmacology principles, delivery systems, respiratory drugs, and cardiopulmonary system related drugs.6140RESP1120Introduction to Respiratory Therapy3 credit hours60 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission, BIOL 2114, BIOL 2114L and completion of either MATH 1101 or MATH 1111
Co-Requisite: RESP 1130, RESP 1193
Provides students with an introduction and comprehensive survey of the respiratory care profession. Emphasizes the application of physics and chemistry as the foundation for specific modes of respiratory care principles employed in patient care, including indications, hazards, contraindications, evaluation of therapy, and patient assessment. Topics include: respiratory therapy chemistry and physics principles, patient assessment, medical gas therapy, humidity and aerosol therapy, hyperinflation therapy, bronchopulmonary hygiene, infection control practices, and hospital safety.455RESP1130Respiratory Therapy Lab I4 credit hours120 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission, BIOL 2114, BIOL 2114L and completion of either MATH 1101 or MATH 1111
Co-Requisite: RESP 1120
Provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with basic respiratory therapy equipment and simulated practice of basic respiratory care modalities. Topics include: patient assessment, medical gas therapy, humidity and aerosol therapy, hyperinflation therapy, airway clearance techniques, infection control procedures, and medical ethics.456RESP1193Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission
BIOL 2114, BIOL 2114L, MATH 1101 or MATH 1111
Provides an in-depth study of cardiac and pulmonary anatomy and physiology, and the diagnostic procedures commonly used in the hospital to evaluate these systems. Emphasizes the heart-lung relationship and clinical applications of these phenomena in the cardiopulmonary system. Topics include: respiratory function; ventilatory mechanisms; gas transport; laboratory analysis; natural and chemical regulation of breathing; circulation, blood flow and pressure, and cardiac function; renal physiology and related topics.3461RESP2090Clinical Practice I2 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission,
Introduces students to clinical practice in basic respiratory care procedures. Topics include: introduction to clinical affiliate, medical gas therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, incentive spirometry, inspiratory and expiratory PIP/PEP devices, patient assessment, and basic life support (BLS).458RESP2100Clinical Practice II2 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: RESP 2090
Co-Requisite: RESP 2090
Continues to develop skills used in the clinical practice. Topics include: medical gas therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, incentive spirometry, and patient assessment.459RESP2110Pulmonary Disease3 credit hours60 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission, RESP 1110, RESP 1193
Co-Requisite: RESP 1110, RESP 1120, RESP 1193
Provides students with information concerning assessment of etiology, pathophysiology, treatment, and prognosis of common cardiopulmonary, cardiovascular, and pulmonary diseases and conditions. Topics include: infectious diseases and conditions, respiratory diseases and conditions, neuromuscular diseases and conditions, cardiovascular diseases and conditions, sleep apnea, patient assessment, laboratory tests, chest radiographs, and trauma.460RESP2120Critical Respiratory Care2 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: RESP 1120, RESP 1130
Provides students with knowledge on all phases of adult critical care and continuous mechanical ventilation. Topics include: mechanical ventilation history, principles of mechanical ventilation, continuous mechanical ventilation, ventilator implementation, ventilation monitoring, ventilator weaning, ventilator discontinuance and special techniques.3463RESP2130Mechanical Ventilation and Airway Management4 credit hours120 contact hoursPrerequisites: RESP 1120, RESP 1130, RESP 2120
Co-Requisite: RESP 2120
Provides instruction in the theory, set-up, operation, and maintenance of mechanical ventilators and equipment used to establish and maintain both adult and pediatric airways and emergency airway disorders. Topics include: ventilator operation, ventilator maintenance, emergency airway disorders, adult airway establishment and maintenance, pediatric airway establishment and maintenance, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, thoracentesis, chest tube maintenance, arterial blood gas sampling, and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation.462RESP2140Advanced Critical Care Monitoring1 credit hours30 contact hoursPrerequisites: RESP 1120, RESP 1130, RESP 1193
Provides a study of advanced critical care techniques for hemodynamic and non invasive monitoring. Topics include: arterial pressure monitoring, central venous catheters, pulmonary artery catheters, cardiac output measurement, and non invasive monitoring techniques.
463RESP2150Pulmonary Function Testing1 credit hours30 contact hoursPrerequisites: RESP 1193
Provides knowledge regarding normal and abnormal pulmonary functions. Emphasizes performance, interpretation, and evaluation of various pulmonary function studies. Topics include: pulmonary function testing, pulmonary function interpretation, pulmonary function evaluation, blood gas analysis, and polysomnography
464RESP2160Neonatal Pediatric Respiratory Care3 credit hours60 contact hoursPrerequisites: RESP 1120, RESP 1130
Provides concepts on the processes of growth and development related to respiratory care from the fetus to the adolescent. Relates physiologic function to respiratory care assessment. Topics include: fetal growth and development, neonatal growth and development, fetal assessment, neonatal assessment, neonatal respiratory care, neonatal pathology, pediatric pathology, pediatric respiratory care, adolescent assessment, and adolescent respiratory care.
465RESP2170Advanced Respiratory Care Seminar3 credit hours75 contact hoursPrerequisites: RESP 2120, RESP 2130
Review of respiratory therapy as it pertains to the national credential examinations administered by the NBRC. Emphasizes decision making and problem solving as they relate to clinical respiratory care. Topics include: medical ethics, basic computer literacy, CRTT exam preparation, and RRT exam preparation.
493RESP2180Clinical Practice III2 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission, RESP 2100
Continues development of proficiency levels in skills introduced in Clinical Practices I and II. In addition, intermittent positive pressure breathing, chest physiotherapy, and airway care are introduced. Case presentations are required to integrate clinical and classroom theory. Topics include: intermittent positive pressure breathing, chest physiotherapy, airway care, medical gas therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, incentive spirometry, and patient assessment.
466RESP2190Clinical Practice IV2 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: RESP 2180
Co-Requisite: RESP 2180
Continues development of proficiency levels in skills introduced in Clinical Practices I, II, and III. In addition, the student is introduced to critical respiratory care. Case presentations are required to integrate clinical and classroom theory. Topics include: intermittent positive pressure breathing, chest physiotherapy, airway care, medical gas therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, incentive spirometry, patient assessment, and respiratory care of the critical care patient.467RESP2200Clinical Practice V3 credit hours135 contact hoursPrerequisites: RESP 2120, RESP 2130, RESP 2180, RESP 2190
Co-Requisite: RESP 2120, RESP 2130, RESP 2190
Continues development of skills required in the intensive care of the respiratory patient. Case presentations are required to integrate clinical and classroom theory. Topics include: basic respiratory care of critical care patients, airway management, ventilator monitoring, arterial blood collection, blood gas analysis, and EKG.468RESP2220Clinical Practice VI7 credit hours315 contact hoursPrerequisites: RESP 2190
Co-Requisite: RESP 2190
Provides students with an opportunity for in-depth application and reinforcement of adult intensive care. In addition, students are provided an opportunity for application and reinforcement of pediatric and neonatal intensive care, advanced diagnostics, and rehabilitation/home care. Topics include: mechanical ventilation initiation, patient stabilization, critical care monitoring, hemodynamic measurement, hemodynamic evaluation, bronchial hygiene, weaning mechanics, extubation, arterial line sampling, advanced diagnostics, pediatric/neonatal respiratory care, and rehabilitation/home care.469RESP2270Rehabilitation and Home Care1 credit hours30 contact hoursPrerequisites: RESP 1120
Co-Requisite: RESP 1120
Provides an overview of the concepts, procedures, and equipment used in rehabilitation and in the delivery of long-term care to persons with chronic pulmonary disorders. Topics include: cardiopulmonary rehabilitation/home care concepts, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation/home care procedures, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation/home care equipment.470
