Melanie McDonough, Assistant Chair, 386-506-3759, Melanie.McDonough@daytonastate.edu
Melissa Brown-Mack, Academic Advisor, 386-506-3052, Melissa.Brown-Mack@daytonastate.edu
Admission Note
Limited Access Program: Admission to this program is selective and requires completion of additional admission and enrollment requirements.
Program Overview
Mission:
The Respiratory Care program provides a learning-centered, diverse, and high-quality education that prepares students to meet community healthcare needs.
Description:
This accelerated program prepares students to provide cardiopulmonary diagnostic and therapeutic services. Students develop skills in airway management, mechanical ventilation, pharmacology, pulmonary rehabilitation, and critical care procedures.
Graduates are eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) examinations for the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials.
Graduates may also continue their education in bachelor’s degree programs in cardiopulmonary or respiratory care.
Program Accreditation: The Respiratory Care Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), 264 Precision Blvd., Telford, TN 37690; telephone: 817-283-2835. Program outcomes data is available at Programmatic Outcomes Data.
College Accreditation: Daytona State College is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Questions regarding accreditation may be directed to SACSCOC at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097; telephone: 404-679-4500; or online at www.sacscoc.org.
Outcomes:
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Perform entry-level respiratory care skills competently and safely.
- Demonstrate effective communication within healthcare settings.
- Apply professional and ethical behaviors in clinical practice.
- Promote safe patient care and healthcare environments.
- Apply critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills in respiratory care.
Program Requirements
Admission:
This is a Limited Access Program.
- Standard high school diploma or GED.
- Minimum age of 18.
- Submit a brief statement of interest in Respiratory Care with the application.
- PERT scores at the 10th-grade level in reading, language, and mathematics.
- Satisfactory FDLE/FBI background check and drug screening.
Enrollment:
Continuing enrollment approval is required prior to enrollment in program-specific courses.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Earn a grade of “C” or better in the following courses:
- RET1021 Respiratory Care Introduction
- ENC1101 Introduction to Composition
- MAC1105 College Algebra
- BSC1085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
Completion:
- Earn a grade of “C” or better in all program-specific and prerequisite courses.
- Complete at least 25% of degree requirement credits in residence at Daytona State College.
- Follow the policies and procedures outlined in the Respiratory Care Student Handbook and the Daytona State College Student Handbook.
Financial Aid
This program is eligible for federal financial aid and state Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
Financing Options: All students are encouraged to apply for federal and state student financial assistance by completing the FAFSA at
studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
For more information on grants, loans, and work programs available please see the Office of Financial Aid webpage at
daytonastate.edu/financial-aid/.
Students are also encouraged to apply for one of the many Daytona State College Foundation scholarships offered each semester.
For more information see:
daytonastate.edu/scholarships/.
Career and Labor Market Information
Graduates may pursue employment in respiratory care, including roles such as Respiratory Therapist, Pulmonary Therapist, Critical Care Respiratory Therapist, and Neonatal Respiratory Therapist. In the Brevard-Flagler-Volusia workforce region, approximately 499 respiratory therapists are employed, with an average annual salary of $75,360 and approximately 31 annual job openings.
| SOC Alignment |
29-1126 – Respiratory Therapists
|
| Average Hourly Wage |
$35.72 |
| Average Annual Salary |
$75,360 |
| Annual Job Openings |
31 |
| Regional Employment |
Approximately 499 employed |
Occupational Overview: Assess, treat, and care for patients with cardiopulmonary disorders by administering oxygen therapy, managing ventilators and other life-support equipment, performing diagnostic testing, and providing emergency respiratory care in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
Wage Distribution: 10th percentile: $61,420 | 50th percentile: $75,360 | 90th percentile: $86,440.
Data Sources: CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia Regional Demand Occupations List; FloridaCommerce Employment Projections Region 27; BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach MSA; SOC 29-1126.
Note: It is never too early to prepare for your career. Log in to the Daytona State Career Services Student Job Board to create your account, submit your resume for review, search for employment opportunities, and practice your interviewing skills through Big Interview. For assistance, contact Career Services to connect with a Career Advisor.
16 Credits
Communication Core (3 credits)
Required General Education course:
| ENC1101 | Introduction to Composition | 3.00 |
Mathematics Core (3 credits)
Required Math Pathway:
Natural Sciences Core (4 credits)
Required course:
| BSC1085C | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab | 4.00 |
Humanities Core (3 credits)
Recommended courses. Choose one:
Social Sciences Core (3 credits)
Required courses. Choose one:
| AMH2010 | United States History to 1877 | 3.00 |
| AMH2020 | United States History 1865 to Present | 3.00 |
| POS2041 | American Federal Government | 3.00 |
Program Specific Courses
60 Credits
| BSC1086C | Human Anatomy & Physiology II and Lab | 4.00 |
| MCB1010C | Microbiology and Lab | 4.00 |
| PSY1012 | General Psychology | 3.00 |
| RET1021 | Respiratory Care Introduction | 3.00 |
| RET1025C | Principles of Respiratory Care and Lab | 3.00 |
| RET1026C | Basic Equipment of Respiratory Care and Lab | 3.00 |
| RET1264C | Advanced Equipment of Respiratory Care and Lab | 3.00 |
| RET1265C | Mechanical Ventilation and Lab | 4.00 |
| RET1295 | Chest Medicine | 3.00 |
| RET1450 | Basic Physiologic Monitoring | 3.00 |
| RET1485 | Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology | 4.00 |
| RET1874 | Clinical Practice I | 4.00 |
| RET1875 | Clinical Practice II | 3.00 |
| RET2244 | Life Support | 3.00 |
| RET2350 | Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology | 3.00 |
| RET2714 | Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care | 3.00 |
| RET2876 | Clinical Practice III | 4.00 |
| RET2934 | Respiratory Care Seminar | 3.00 |
Sample Program of Study
Prerequisite Courses
| ENC1101 | Introduction to Composition | 3.00 |
| BSC1085C | Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Lab | 4.00 |
| MAC1105 | College Algebra | 3.00 |
| RET1021 | Respiratory Care Introduction | 3.00 |
Year 1
1st Semester
| BSC1086C | Human Anatomy & Physiology II and Lab | 4.00 |
| RET1025C | Principles of Respiratory Care and Lab | 3.00 |
| RET1026C | Basic Equipment of Respiratory Care and Lab | 3.00 |
| RET1485 | Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology | 4.00 |
| RET2350 | Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology | 3.00 |
2nd Semester
| Social Sciences Core - Civic Literacy course | 3.00 |
| RET1264C | Advanced Equipment of Respiratory Care and Lab | 3.00 |
| RET1295 | Chest Medicine | 3.00 |
| RET1874 | Clinical Practice I | 4.00 |
| RET1265C | Mechanical Ventilation and Lab | 4.00 |
Summer Semester
| RET1450 | Basic Physiologic Monitoring | 3.00 |
| RET2244 | Life Support | 3.00 |
| RET1875 | Clinical Practice II | 3.00 |
| Humanities Core | 3.00 |
Year 2
1st Semester
| RET2934 | Respiratory Care Seminar | 3.00 |
| PSY1012 | General Psychology | 3.00 |
| RET2714 | Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care | 3.00 |
| RET2876 | Clinical Practice III | 4.00 |
| MCB1010C | Microbiology and Lab | 4.00 |
Total Credit Hours: 76