Radiology Degrees Online

Respiratory Therapy Fundamentals

Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat all types of patients, from premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed to the elderly whose lungs are diseased.
Comprehensive curriculum includes courses designed specifically for respiratory therapists, such as:
cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology
diseases
diagnoses
treatments and rationales for treatment
function and mechanics of equipment
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Professional Preparation

In the field of respiratory therapy, there are two levels of credentials:
The Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) exam must be passed to be a certified respiratory therapist.
Upon graduation from the respiratory therapy program and successful completion of the CRT exam, you can sit for the Registry Exam to become a registered respiratory therapist. The state of Ohio requires a license to practice respiratory care.
Our Faculty
are innovative and interactive
bring years of real-world experience to the classroom and lab

Prerequisite Requirements

In order to be considered for admission, prerequisite requirements (college-level courses) must be completed prior to applying to the program. All science courses completed prior to acceptance into the Respiratory Therapy program cannot be older than seven (7) years.Course Number Course Name Credits
1535-101 General College Math I 3
1133-112 English Composition 3
1401-111 Anatomy and Physiology I – Lecture 3
1401-113 Anatomy and Physiology I – Laboratory 1
1401-112 Anatomy and Physiology II – Lecture 2
1401-114 Anatomy and Physiology II – Laboratory 1
Total 14

FIRST YEAR-FALL SEMESTER (This begins the professional phase of the program)Course Number Course Name Credits
1431-170 Introduction to Health Sciences 2
1431-171 Principles and Practice of Respiratory Therapy I 4
1431-173 Ventilation and Gas Exchange Physiology 2
1507-105 Fundamentals of Chemistry – Lecture 3
1507-106 Fundamentals of Chemistry – Lab 1
Total 12

FIRST YEAR – SPRING SEMESTERCourse Number Course Name Credits
1431-172 Principles and Practice of Respiratory Therapy II 5
1431-274 Acid-Base and Hemodynamic Physiology 3
+1133-112 English Composition II 3
+1535-102 General College Math II 3
Total 14

FIRST YEAR – SUMMER SEMESTERCourse Number Course Name Credits
1431-250 Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation 3
1431-269 Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Therapy 1
Total 4

SECOND YEAR – FALL SEMESTERCourse Number Course Name Credits
1431-270 Critical Care and Ventilator Management 5
1431-273 Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics 3
1431-276 Respiratory Disease Management 3
1431-280 Respiratory Therapy Seminar I 1
Total 12

SECOND YEAR – SPRING SEMESTERCourse Number Course Name Credits
1431-277 Adjunctive Respiratory Therapies 3
1431-278 Respiratory Therapy Clinical Preceptorship 3
1431-290 Respiratory Therapy Seminar II 1
1401-245 Clinical Microbiology Lecture 3
1401-244 Clinical Microbiology Lab 1
Elective Psychology or Sociology Elective 3
Total 14
TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS 70

The University of the District of Columbia is an urban land-grant institution of higher education with an open admissions policy. It is a comprehensive public institution offering quality, affordable post secondary education to District of Columbia residents at the certificate, associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. These programs prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce, for the next level of education, for specialized employment opportunities, and for lifelong learning.

The Respiratory Therapy Program is housed within the Department of Nursing and Allied Health, College of Arts and Sciences. The mission of the College of Arts and Sciences is to produce well-educated, autonomous, competent, and resourceful graduates who are well prepared to live and work in the multiethnic, global, and technological society of the 21st century. The undertakings of the Department of Nursing and Allied Health and the Respiratory Therapy Program follow, and are inextricably linked to, the College mission. The Department strives to provide exemplary educational experiences to an ethnically diverse population with a particular emphasis on the needs in the District of Columbia. The Department provides an intellectually challenging and nurturing environment that fosters the development of competent and compassionate practitioners who will assist individuals on the continuum from wellness/illness, dying, death, and care of human remains. Students are assisted in the development of critical thinking skills, problem solving, technical, and social skills through active participation in classroom and practicum experiences. The program’s mission is to prepare competent respiratory therapy practitioners that will meet the healthcare needs of the citizens of the District of Columbia and the society at large.
Program Overview

The University offers the A.A.S. Degree in Respiratory Therapy. The curriculum reflects high standards of professional practice and incorporates guidelines from practice trends, professional organizations and accrediting agencies. Students develop the knowledge base and clinical competencies required to meet the health care needs of patients with cardiopulmonary disorders. Respiratory Therapists treat patients along the age and health-care continuums – from premature infants to the aged in critical care, acute care, rehabilitation, and home care settings.

Accreditation & Credentialing

The UDC Respiratory Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), in collaboration with the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Graduates are eligible for both the entry-level licensure/ CRT examination (required by the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia) and the advanced practice RRT examinations, both offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).