Respiratory Therapy

This Selective Program has a competitive entry selection process based on a competitive point system. Application requirements are included in the description below.

Associate of Applied Science

This two-year program will prepare the student’s knowledge, skills and ethical attitude that will culminate in successful employment of the graduate as a licensed respiratory therapist. In turn, the graduate offers or provides optimal patient care to the community.

Application Requirements

All applicants must:

1. Participate in the required Prospective Student Information Session. For the session schedule, access the information online at https://www.southtexascollege.edu/respiratory or contact the Respiratory Therapy Program at 956-872-3023.
2. Be admitted to the college as a high school graduate or GED equivalent.
3. Meet TSI College Readiness Standards, or meet TSI exemption standards.
4. Complete all prerequisite courses with a minimum of "B" as listed in the Degree plan.
5. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, on a 4.0 scale.
6. Science coursework listed in the degree plan must be within the past 5 years of nursing clinical courses. For more information contact the NAH Clinical Affairs Specialist at 872-3022.
7. Pass a criminal background check, 10-panel drug screen through approved providers, and complete all required immunizations including Hepatitis B series.
8. Meet Technical Standards as stated by the Program.
9. Submit a completed Program application by stated deadline. For more information contact Respiratory Therapy Program at 872-3023 or access the information online at https://www.southtexascollege.edu/respiratory.

Competitive Entry Selection Process

The Respiratory Therapy program selection criteria are based upon a point system score comprised of degree plan course GPA, number of degree plan courses and required test scores. Selection of students is made one time a year at the end of the spring semester. The deadline for applying to the Respiratory Therapy Program is the last Friday in May of the current year. Due to program size limitations, a number of applicants who meet the program admissions requirements may not be admitted to the program. Qualified applications are numerically ranked from highest to lowest in points. Applications will be available after Spring Break.

A new applicant pool is established for each admission period. Applicants who were not admitted for the current application period must re-apply to be considered for a later application period.

NOTE: Please see program webpage for additional information regarding the application process
https://www.southtexascollege.edu/respiratory.

Graduation Criteria

To earn an Associate of Applied Science in the Respiratory Therapy Program, a student must meet college graduation requirements and complete all coursework as prescribed in the degree plan with a minimum grade of “C” in didactic courses and minimum grade of “B” in the clinical/practicum courses.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Graduates will evaluate appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic procedure using patient data from laboratory and physiologic evaluation.
2. Graduates will apply effective clinical decision making skills to carry out respiratory care procedures.
3. Graduates will apply cardiopulmonary theory and skill to the treatment of respiratory patients in the clinical setting.
4. Graduates will demonstrate adherence to ethical principles and legal guidelines in the delivery of respiratory care.
5. Graduates will improve ventilation by initiating and altering ventilator settings based on a patient’s disease process and arterial blood gas interpretations.
6. Graduates will demonstrate the application and limitations of blood gases, and capnography in relation to mechanical ventilation.

Advisory Committee Members

Dr. Juan Manuel Ortiz, MD, Medical Director
Mary Lopez,CRT McAllen Medical Center
Tricia Smith, RRT, Mission Regional Medical Center
Robert Vargas, RRT, Lee’s Pharmacy
Hermelinda G. Lopez, Starr County Hospital
Dr. Genny Carrillo, Texas A&M Health Science Center
Fernando Zepeda, RRT, Knapp Medical Center
Yvette Ysaguirre, RRT, Rio Grande Regional Medical Center
Kenneth Smith, CRT, Rio Grande Regional Medical Center
Jose Echiveste, RRT, Edinburg Regional Medical Center 
Jose Nava, RRT,  Driscoll Children's Hospital
Jose Garza, MSHS, RRT-ACCS, RCP, Doctors Hospital at Renaissance
Amita Gomez, RGV Community Member, Consultant PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Nianna Gustovich, RGV Community Member, Valley View High School
Kim Garcia, MEd, RRT-NPS,  The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
LuBeth Perez, PhD, MPH, RRT-NPS, TTS, CHW-I, The University of Texas Health Science Center Houston-School of Public Health

Respiratory Therapy Associate of Applied Science

TSI Liable

Plan of Study Grid

Pre-requisites		Credit Hours
RSPT 1201	Introduction to Respiratory Care	2
ENGL 1301	Composition I 1	3
BIOL 2401	Anatomy and Physiology I 1	4
BIOL 2402	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
MATH 1414	College Algebra 1	4
	Credit Hours	17
First Year
Fall
Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective 1		3
Select one of the following:
PSYC 2301	General Psychology
PSYC 2314	Lifespan Growth and Development
SOCI 1301	Introductory Sociology
SOCI 1306	Social Problems
Humanities Elective 1		3
Select one of the following:
PHIL 2303	Introduction to Formal Logic
PHIL 2306	Introduction to Ethics
HUMA 1301	Introduction to Humanities I
RSPT 1410	Respiratory Care Procedures I	4
RSPT 1325	Respiratory Care Sciences	3
	Credit Hours	13
Spring
RSPT 2325	Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics	3
RSPT 2310	Cardiopulmonary Disease	3
RSPT 1411	Respiratory Care Procedures II	4
RSPT 2217	Respiratory Care Pharmacology	2
RSPT 1260	Clinical I	2
	Credit Hours	14
Summer
RSPT 1137	Basic Dysrhythmia Interpretation	1
RSPT 1261	Clinical II	2
	Credit Hours	3
Second Year
Fall
RSPT 2314	Mechanical Ventilation	3
RSPT 1141	Respiratory Home Care/Rehabilitation	1
RSPT 2353	Neonatal/Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Care	3
RSPT 2139	Advanced Cardiac Life Support	1
RSPT 2362	Clinical III	3
	Credit Hours	11
Spring
RSPT 2319	Mechanical Ventilation for the Neonatal/Pediatric Patient	3
RSPT 2363	Clinical IV	3
RSPT 2231	Simulations in Respiratory Care (CAPSTONE)	2
	Credit Hours	8
	Total Credit Hours	66

¹

Identifies courses to fulfill minimum 15 credit hour General Education requirement