Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program

Make a difference as a respiratory therapist.
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Program Type

Associate Degree

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Delivery Method

On Campus

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Course Length

Approximately
21 Months

Program Objective

This associate degree program will give you the professional skills, knowledge and clinical training to work as a registered respiratory therapist. Course content also focuses on the professional traits needed to be successful in this role. Topics introduced include advanced respiratory care techniques (including neonatal, pediatric and adult special care), pharmacology, cardiopulmonary disease, patient assessment and therapeutics. Courses at Pima Medical Institute prepare you to care for patients in emergency situations.

All Locations

Find this program at one of the following Pima Medical Institute campuses.

Careers as a Respiratory Therapist

When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.

Clinical Externships

At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.

In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.

Program Outline

Learn more about the courses in this program.

Program Outline for All Locations Except Albuquerque and Houston

Semester l

MT 103
Math Applications
CHP 111
Respiratory Sciences
BIO 127
Anatomy and Physiology
MB 120
Microbiology
AP 116
Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
AP 118
Pulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
PC 122
Patient Assessment

Semester lI

HST 205
Nevada History and US Constitution*
RX 151
Pharmacology
RES 131
Cardiopulmonary Diseases
RES 141
Cardiopulmonary Diseases
RES 160
Respiratory Pediatrics
RES 180
Respiratory Therapeutics I
RES 185
Respiratory Therapeutics II

Semester III

RES 190
Respiratory Care Practicum I
RES 201
Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Wellness
RES 211
Critical Care Techniques
RES 242
Emergency Care
RES 222
Advanced Patient Assessment

Semester IV

RES 251
Advanced Pharmacology
RES 231
Advanced Pulmonary Diagnostics
RES 281
Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation
RES 290
Respiratory Care Practicum II

Semester V

CCM 211
Professional Communications
RES 270
Cardiovascular Diagnostics
RES 260
Respiratory Perinatology
RES 287
Advanced Mechanical Ventilation
RES 295
Respiratory Care Practicum III
RES 275
NBRC Review Course

*The total number of program hours is 1,955 at all campuses except Las Vegas, which has 2,000 hours. The Las Vegas program includes one additional 3 credit class (HST 205 Nevada History and US Constitution). Graduates of the program receive an Occupational Associate degree. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Board for Respiratory Care Therapist Multiple- Choice Examination (TMC). Following successful performance on the TMC, the graduate is then eligible to take the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) for credentialing as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Program Outline for Albuquerque

Semester I

MT 103
Math Applications
BIO 127
Anatomy & Physiology
RES 116
Cardiac Anatomy & Physiology
RES 118
Pulmonary Anatomy & Physiology
CHP 111
Respiratory Sciences

Semester lI

RX 151
Pharmacology
RES 131
Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics
RES 141
Cardiopulmonary Diseases
RES 180
Respiratory Therapeutics I
PC 122
Patient Assessment
MB 120
Microbiology

Semester III

RES 185
Respiratory Therapeutics II
RES 242
Emergency Care
RES 211
Critical Care Techniques
RES 160
Respiratory Pediatrics
RES 201
Pulmonary Rehabilitation & Wellness
CCM 102
Healthcare Communications

Semester IV

RES 281
Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation
RES 222
Advanced Patient Assessment
RES 190
Respiratory Care Practicum I

Semester V

RES 290
Respiratory Care Practicum II
RES 251
Advanced Pharmacology
RES 260
Respiratory Perinatology
RES 231
Advanced Pulmonary Diagnostics

Semester VI

RES 270
Cardiovascular Diagnostics
RES 287
Advanced Mechanical Ventilation
RES 295
Respiratory Care Practicum III
RES 275
NBRC Review Course

Program Outline for Houston

Semester I

CCB 125
Computer Applications
MT 104
Math Applications
CHP 112
General Sciences
BIO 127
Anatomy and Physiology
MB 120
Microbiology
AP 116
Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology
AP 118
Pulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
PC 122
Patient Assessment

Semester lI

RX 151
Pharmacology
RES 131
Cardiopulmonary Diagnostics
RES 141
Cardiopulmonary Diseases
RES 160
Respiratory Pediatrics
RES 180
Respiratory Therapeutics I
RES 185
Respiratory Therapeutics II

Semester III

CLE 186
Law and Ethics
CCM 160
Communications
RES 190
Respiratory Care Practicum I
RES 201
Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Wellness
RES 211
Critical Care Techniques
RES 242
Emergency Care
RES 222
Advanced Patient Assessment

Semester IV

RES 251
Advanced Pharmacology
RES 231
Advanced Pulmonary Diagnostics
RES 281
Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation
RES 290
Respiratory Care Practicum II

Semester V

CCM 211
Professional Communications
RES 270
Cardiovascular Diagnostics
RES 260
Respiratory Perinatology
RES 287
Advanced Mechanical Ventilation
RES 295
Respiratory Care Practicum III
RES 275
NBRC Review Course

*The total number of program hours is 2,025. Graduates of the program receive an Associate of Applied Science degree. Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Board for Respiratory Care Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination (TMC). Following successful performance on the TMC, the graduate is then eligible to take the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE) for credentialing as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Interested In Starting This Program?

Find out more about our Admissions Requirements or view our How to Apply page.

Success Is Within Reach

We are truly invested in making sure our students succeed.

Bryanna Bow
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“After completing my clinical experience, I was hired at St. Anthony North Medical Health Center in Westminster, Colorado. I love my job! Recently, I have been working in the COVID-19 ICU. I help intubate, manage ventilators and endotracheal tubes and give breathing treatments to those struggling to breathe. I feel like I have found my calling.”

Bryanna Bow, Respiratory Therapy Graduate

Pima Medical Blog

Check out our blog posts on Respiratory Therapy. We provide insights, information, alumni spotlights, news and other valuable articles to keep you updated.

Disclosures And Accreditations

Start Your Future in Respiratory Therapy