Respiratory Care, A.S.

Please note that program prerequisite courses have changed. Carefully review the following information to ensure your application to the Program satisfies the posted requirements.

The following prerequisite requirements must be completed in order to apply to the Respiratory Care program:

1. Possess a 2.50 or higher overall college GPA.
2. Complete the following prerequisite coursework with a grade of "C" or better:
   • BSC2085/L Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
   • BSC2086/L Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
   • ENC1101 College Composition
   • MAC1105 College Algebra*
   • Choose one of the following Social/Behavioral Sciences courses:
     • AMH2020 US History Since 1877
     • POS2041 American National Government
   • Choose one of the following Humanities/Fine Arts courses:
     • ARH1000 Art Appreciation
     • HUM2020 Introduction to Humanities
     • LIT1000 Literature Appreciation
     • MUL1010 Music Appreciation
     • PHI2010 Introduction to Philosophy
     • THE1000 Theater Appreciation

*Successful completion of one of following classes may be used to satisfy the mathematics requirement in lieu of MAC1105 College Algebra for the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Respiratory Care programs:

• MGF1106
• MFG1107
• STA2023

All transcripts and coursework must be evaluated and accepted by Santa Fe College prior to the application date in order to qualify for application.

To help protect patients and students, upon acceptance to a Health Science Program, all students must undergo state and federal background checks and show proof of certain immunizations and negative drug screenings as required by clinical affiliates. Students will be provided instructions to complete these tasks at the appropriate time. For more information regarding the application process, please visit the "Before You Apply" webpage.

For more information on program specific expectations and to view the Allied Health Student Handbook, please visit the “Prospective and Current Students” webpage.

See Application Dates and Deadlines and closely review other requirements Before You Apply.

All tuition and fees are estimated costs and subject to change without notice.

Program Costs Breakdown

Tuition for 76 Credit Hours

• $8,114.52 Florida Residents
• $29,100.40 Non-Florida Residents

Lab Fees: $1,098.59

Additional Expenses Total: $4,204.90

• $250.00 Uniforms, Stethoscope, Program patches
• $1,500.00 Required Textbooks
• $600.00 Laptop or notebook computer w/webcam
• $900.00 Health Physical and Immunizations
• $80.00 Flu Vaccinations (2)
• $65.00 American Heart Association Basic Life Support Certification
• $51.90 On-line Expanded National Background Screening
• $68.00 Level 2 Background Screening Fingerprinting
• $135.00 Drug Screening Test
• $300.00 Miscellaneous Clinical Requirements: Tracking Software, Database, Parking
• $105.00 License Fee
• $150.00 Additional mid-program background checks, drug test, physical update

Program Cost Totals

• $13,418.01 Florida Residents
• $34,403.89 Non-Florida Residents

Scholarships

There are many scholarships available for Santa Fe College students to apply to. Please visit the Scholarships webpage for more information and how to apply.

Financial Aid

There are many options to finance your education. You may be eligible for Federal Grants, Work Study, State Grants, Federal Loans, and Institutional Scholarships. Please visit the Financial Aid page for more information and how to apply.

Selection criteria and points system is subject to change. It is the applicant's responsibility to check with the Health Sciences Advisement Office for up-to-date requirements and information.

Prior Degree and/or Certification (Maximum Points = 9)

• B.A./B.S. or higher (7 PTS)
• A.A./A.S. (2 PTS)
• Current Patient Care Certification (CNA, EMT, Medical Assistant, etc.) (2 PTS)

All-College GPA (Maximum Points = 20)

• 3.75 – 4.00 (20 PTS)
• 3.50 – 3.74 (15 PTS)
• 3.25 – 3.49 (10 PTS)
• 3.00 – 3.24 (5 PTS)
• 2.75 – 2.99 (3 PTS)
• 2.50 – 2.74 (1 PT)

Prerequisite Coursework GPA (Maximum Points = 20)

• 3.75 – 4.00 (20 PTS)
• 3.50 – 3.74 (15 PTS)
• 3.25 – 3.49 (10 PTS)
• 3.00 – 3.24 (5 PTS)
• 2.75 – 2.99 (3 PTS)
• 2.50 – 2.74 (1 PT)

Military Service (5 PTS)

Five points will be awarded to US Armed Forces active duty and honorably discharged veterans. Includes recent Reservist and National Guard combat deployments. DD-214 or proof of current service required. Minimum of 1 year active duty service required. Part-time Reservist or National Guard service must be documented separately and equal 365 active duty days (i.e., weekend service, annual 2-week assignment and deployment). Service dates may be combined with proper documentation. Veterans who receive a general discharge must be classified without misconduct.

Goal

To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).

The Respiratory Care program spans five semesters for the day-time program orsix semesters for the evening/weekend program with courses meeting in a variety of platforms to include: on-campus, on-line, and virtually. In addition, students will conduct clinical internships at local and regional hospitals.

The day-time program is academically rigorous and requires students to be available Monday thru Friday 8am – 4:30pm Some evening and/or weekend clinical hours may be required.

The program is a total of 76.0 credit hours, including prerequisite requirements. Program core courses: 56.0 credit hours. Pre-requisite courses: 20.0 credit hours.

The program core courses must be taken as a cohort. The order in which to take the courses will be provided to the student upon acceptance to the program but may change based on program availability. The prerequisite requirements listed in "Requirements for Admission" may be taken in any order based on course offerings.

• RET1025 Principles of Respiratory Care (4 credit hours)
• RET1025L Principles of Respiratory Care Lab (1 credit hour)
• RET1350 Pharmacology (4 credit hours)
• RET1484 Pathophysiology (4 credit hours)
• RET1291 Clinical Respiratory Medicine 1 (4 credit hours)
• RET2283 Intro to Mechanical Ventilation (4 credit hours)
• RET2283L Intro to Mechanical Ventilation Lab (1 credit hour)
• RET2434C Respiratory Care Chemical Analysis (3 credit hours)
• RET1292 Clinical Respiratory Medicine 2 (3 credit hours)
• RET1485C Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology (3 credit hours)
• RET2264L Advanced Mechanical Ventilation and Patient Management Lab (1 credit hour)
• RET2284 Intensive Respiratory Care (3 credit hours)
• RET2293 Clinical Respiratory Medicine 3 (4 credit hours)
• RET2714 Pediatric/Neonatal Respiratory Care (3 credit hours)
• RET2934 Respiratory Care Case Management Seminar (2 credit hours)
• RET2264 Advanced Mechanical Ventilation and Patient Management (3 credit hours)
• RET2295 Clinical Respiratory Medicine 4 (2 credit hours)
• RET2936 Respiratory Registry Preparation (3 credit hours)
• RET2296 Clinical Respiratory Medicine 5 (4 credit hours)

 

The Respiratory Care program is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective and psychomotor performance requirements. Applicants should assess their aptitude and ability to perform professional duties by reviewing the Program Performance Standards below and discussing them with their healthcare provider. Applicants who identify potential difficulties with meeting the Program Performance Standards should communicate their concerns to the Academic Chair for Allied Health Programs. If the concern is related to a documented disability, applicants are responsible for contacting the Disabilities Resource Center for determination of reasonable and appropriate accommodations.

Critical Thinking

Standard: Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment.
Example: Handle ventilator adjustments and arterial blood gas interpretation. Provide treatment plans. Ability to work alone as well as a member of a team.

Interpersonal

Standard: Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds.
Example: Display compassion, empathy and concern for others in a calm manner. Work with other health care providers in stressful life/death situations.

Communication

Standard: Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.
Example: Communicate patient response to therapy; document therapeutic procedure performed on patient; consult with other healthcare providers in order to alter current therapy.

Mobility

Standard: Physical abilities sufficient to move independently from room to room and through hallways; maneuver in small places.
Example: Walk to and from department to patient rooms and room to room for breathing treatments. Move patients to/from wheelchair, stretcher or bed. Assist in patient transport.

Tactile and Motor Skills

Standard: Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to safely and effectively perform cardiopulmonary skills. Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment.
Example: Perform arterial punctures, chest physiotherapy, and tracheal suctioning. Perform palpation.

Hearing

Standard: Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.
Example: Auscultation of breath sounds; hear alarms in units; communicate verbally with patients, family, staff and other healthcare providers.

Visual

Standard: Visual ability sufficient for physical observation.
Example: Read patient charts, flow sheets and monitors; monitor and assess patient skin color, sputum samples and draw medications.

Professional Appearance

As a representative of Santa Fe College and the Respiratory Care Program, students must abide by specific professional appearance guidelines required by our clinical affiliates. Hair must be maintained within the range of natural color and must be conservative in length and style. Clothing and footwear must comply with standards prescribed by the program. Facial hair should be kept neat and trimmed short.

Program Effectiveness captures the quality of a program using qualitative data such as program completion, national exam pass rates and job placement.

Class of 2022
92% Retention Rate
95% Job Placement Rate
95% CRT Credentialing Exam
95% RRT Credentialing Exam
95% Overall Employer Satisfaction Rate
100% Overall Graduate Satisfaction Rate

Class of 2021

91% Retention Rate
96% Job Placement Rate
96% CRT Credentialing Exam Success Rate
92% RRT Credentialing Exam Success Rate
100% Overall Employer Satisfaction Rate
100% Overall Graduate Satisfaction Rate

Class of 2020

100% Retention Rate
100% Job Placement Rate
100% CRT Credentialing Exam Success Rate
100% RRT Credentialing Exam Success Rate
100% Overall Employer Satisfaction Rate
100% Overall Graduate Satisfaction Rate

Santa Fe College's Respiratory Care Program has been awarded the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) which oversees all respiratory care educational programs in the U.S. Read more about our National Award here.

To comply with Standard 5.03 of the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, the enclosed link is provided to the general public with information regarding the successes of our graduates. It includes pass rates on the National examinations, Registry results, job placement rates as well as Program attrition. Please feel free to access this site and review the outstanding results obtained by our graduates of Santa Fe College. Programmatic Outcomes Data.

Disclosure

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is not the bill that you will receive from Santa Fe College. It is an estimate of what it costs the typical student to attend Santa Fe College for one academic year including tuition, books, course materials, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

Tuition and fees in the cost of attendance below are calculated for credit hour programs, assuming enrollment in 12 credit hours in the Fall and Spring semesters. Actual tuition and fees may vary by program. For a better understanding of your chosen program’s tuition and fees, see program costs above.

Undergraduate Lower Division Courses (A.A./A.S. Degree Courses)

	Off-Campus*	Off-Campus with Parent**
Tuition and Fees In-State: $106.77 per credit Out-Of-State: $382.90 per credit	In-State: $2,563 Out-Of-State: $9,190	In-State: $2,563 Out-Of-State: $9,190
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment	$783	$783
Living Expenses (Food & Housing)	$10,367	$3,654
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$2,394	$2,394
Transportation	$1,197	$3,942
Total	In-State: $17,304 Out-Of-State: $23,931	In-State: $13,336 Out-Of-State: $19,963

Undergraduate Upper Division Courses (Bachelor's Degree Courses)

	Off-Campus*	Off-Campus with Parent**
Tuition and Fees In-State: $126.33 per credit Out-Of-State: $428.83 per credit	In-State: $3,032 Out-Of-State: $10,292	In-State: $3,032 Out-Of-State: $10,292
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment	$783	$783
Living Expenses (Food & Housing)	$10,367	$3,654
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$2,394	$2,394
Transportation	$1,197	$3,942
Total	In-State: $17,773 Out-Of-State: $25,033	In-State: $13,805 Out-Of-State: $21,065

*Off-Campus: you intend to live off-campus but not with your parent(s).

**Off-Campus with Parent: you intend to live with your parent(s) or other relatives.

Note: All costs and rates are subject to change for the upcoming year.

For more detailed information, visit SF's Cost of Attendance page.