Explore our Respiratory Care A.S. Degree
Respiratory care therapists are vital members of medical teams and serve as life-support specialists for a broad range of patients - from infants to the elderly. Our program has an excellent reputation in the community and produces highly qualified graduates.
This academic program prepares you for the following careers. All job data is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Respiratory Therapists
Salary Data
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area Average
Florida Average
Projected employment for Florida
2023 Employment
8,790
2033
10,650
Percent Change
21
Projected Job Openings
660
Features of SPC's Respiratory Care A.S. Degree
- Provides lecture and hands-on clinical classes as part of your learning experience
- Takes two years to complete
- Provides the opportunity for certified respiratory therapists and paramedics transitioning to the Respiratory Care program to possibly qualify for credits through the Experiential Learning Process (ELP)
- Transfers to our Health Services Administration B.A.S. Degree with a concentration in Respiratory Care
What You Will Learn in SPC's Associate in Science degree in Respiratory Care
- Proper techniques and principles of respiratory care
- Industry standards and safety regulations
- Legal and ethical responsibilities
Respiratory Care Associate in Science
RESC-AS
Effective Beginning Catalog Term: Fall 2024 (640)
The requirements shown below are valid beginning Fall 2024 (640), and may not reflect degree requirements for current students. Current students should visit My SPC and view My Learning Plan to see specific degree requirements for their effective term.
Program Summary
The Respiratory Care Program is dedicated to the philosophy and goals of the college. The Respiratory Care Program is designed to offer the student planned learning experiences and to provide knowledge, skills, and promote attitudes that will culminate in successful employment of the graduate as a respiratory therapist. The Associate of Science in Respiratory Care is transferable to a Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration at SPC. Program begins in August.
Graduation Requirements
Minimum grade of "C" required in all courses.
Academic Pathways
The Academic Pathway is a tool for students that lists the following items:- the recommended order in which to take the program courses
- suggested course when more than one option exists
- which semester each course is typically offered
- if the course has a prerequisite
- courses that may lead to a certificate (if offered in the program)
Please verify the Academic Pathway lists your correct starting semester.
Program Leadership Information
please contact:
Healthadvising@spcollege.edu
Florida CIP Code
1351090800 - Respiratory Care
Federal CIP Code
51.0908 - Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist.
Important Information
- Program Admission Guide
- Essential Student Functions
- Students accepted into the program will be required to successfully pass a background check and drug screening.
- SPC's Respiratory Care program has been producing highly qualified RRTs since 1971. The on-site simulation hospital on the HEC campus helps students feel comfortable practicing skills in a controlled setting.
- Our graduates score significantly higher than the national average on exams and almost all graduates and their employers say they are very satisfied with the program.
- Our program meets the needs of students of all ages and schedules, including working students. Recent graduates include a 20-year-old and a 65-year-old.
- You can receive your A.S degree in Respiratory Care and become an RRT in 24 months without leaving the area.
- Financial aid is available.
- Our program has an excellent reputation in the community.
Program Goals
The St. Petersburg College Respiratory Care Program is dedicated to the philosophy and goals of the college. The program is designed to offer the student planned learning experiences and to provide knowledge, skills, and promote attitudes that will culminate in successful employment of the graduate as a respiratory therapist.
In addition, the program is designed 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).
Key Program Personnel
- John Peters, D.O., Medical Director
- Steve Hardt, MA, RRT, Program Director
- Gene Macogay, Director of Clinical Education
Accreditation
The St. Petersburg College Respiratory Care program, CoARC program number 200145, AS degree, Health Education Center Campus 7200 66th Street North Pinellas Park, FL is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (www.coarc.com), (817)283-2835.
The Health Services Administration for Respiratory Care subplan has not yet applied for, or received, the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care's (CoARC's) accreditation for degree advancement programs. Please note such accreditation is voluntary at this time.
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.
Program Outcomes
Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented. Review and compare our program outcomes for graduates through the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
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 (beginning 2018);
- Retention (Attrition);
- Job placement;
- Overall Graduate Satisfaction;
- Overall Employer Satisfaction;
- Total number of program enrollees;
- Total number of program graduates;
- Maximum Annual Enrollment
Licensure
St. Petersburg College's Respiratory Care A.S. Degree prepares you for the advanced practitioners' exam to become a Registered Respiratory Therapist through the National Board for Respiratory Care
CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION at SPC
Our associate degrees in respiratory care transfer to SPC's B.S. in Cardiopulmonary Science.
- Respiratory Care A.S. degree
- Respiratory Care A.S. Degree - CRT Transitional
Program Admission Guides
Please review the program admission guide to ensure your eligibility prior to applying below.
Students accepted into the program will be required to successfully pass a background check and drug screening.
Application Windows
| Term | Applications Accepted | Application Review | Student Notified By MySPC e-mail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall: August | March 1 – May 15 | May 16 – June 30 | July 1 |