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:
   • BSC 2085/L Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
   • BSC 2086/L Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
   • ENC 1101 College Composition
   • Choose one of the following Math courses:
     • MAC 1105 College Algebra
     • MGF 1106 Topics in Math
     • MGF 1107 Contemporary Math
     • STA 2023 Statistics
   • Choose one of the following Social/Behavioral Sciences courses:
     • AMH 2020 US History Since 1877
     • POS 2041 American National Government
   • Choose one of the following Humanities/Fine Arts courses:
     • ARH 1000 Art Appreciation
     • HUM 2020 Introduction to Humanities
     • LIT 1000 Literature Appreciation
     • MUL 1010 Music Appreciation 
     • PHI 2010 Introduction to Philosophy
     • THE 1000 Theater Appreciation

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

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: $812.06

Additional Expenses

• $200 Uniforms, Stethoscope, Program patches
• $1053.53 Required Textbooks
• $550.00 Laptop or notebook computer w/webcam
• $880.00 Health Physical and Immunizations
• $50.00 Flu Vaccinations (2)
• $55.00 American Heart Association Basic Life Support Certification
• $216.50 Level 2 and Expanded National Background Screening; drug test
• $300.00 Miscellaneous Clinical Requirements: Tracking Software, Database, Parking
• $105.00 License Fee
• $21.00 Medical Errors and HIPAA training
• $135.00 Additional mid-program background checks, drug test, physical update

Program Cost Totals

• $12,492.61 Florida Residents
• $33,478.49 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)

• BA/BS or higher (7 PTS)
• AA/AS (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

The respiratory care student will become a registered respiratory therapist capable of administering respiratory care based on the application of principles and concepts involved in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases and related abnormalities, both in traditional and non-traditional settings.

Standards

1. Demonstrate the cognitive ability to recall, apply, and analyze information relevant to the role of a registered respiratory therapist.
2. Perform technical proficiencies necessary to function in the role of a registered respiratory therapist.
3. Demonstrate affective behaviors compatible with his or her role as a registered respiratory therapist to include cultural competency, empathy, and collegiality.
4. Demonstrate effective interdisciplinary/team communication skills necessary for active participation and ownership in the care of patients to include medical, staff, nursing, and allied health professionals.

The Respiratory Care program spans five semesters for the day-time program or seven semesters for the night-time/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 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Some evening and/or weekend clinical hours may be required.

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

The Technical 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. 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 Mechanical Ventilation Lab (1 credit hour)
• RET2284 Intensive Respiratory Care (3 credit hours)
• RET2293 Clinical Respiratory Medicine 3 (4 credit hours)
• RET2714 Pediatric Respiratory Care (3 credit hours)
• RET2934 Respiratory Care Case Management Seminar (2 credit hours)
• RET2264 Mechanical Ventilation (3 credit hours)
• RET2295 Clinical Respiratory Medicine 4 (2 credit hours)
• RET2936 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 SF 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 Spring 2022
100% Retention Rate
XX% Job Placement Rate
94% CRT Credentialing Exam
94% RRT Credentialing Exam
XX% Overall Employer Satisfaction Rate
XX% Overall Graduate Satisfaction Rate
84% On-Time Graduation Rate

Class of 2021

100% 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
95% On-Time Graduation 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 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.

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

Undergraduate Upper Division Courses (Bachelor Degree Courses)