Respiratory Therapist Associate of Applied Science Degree

Program Overview

Major ID: 063A (623A)

Program Start Dates: Fall

Respiratory Therapists (RTs) provide care and treatment for cardiac and pulmonary issues. Practitioners perform diagnostic tests, administer medical gas therapy, access and record patient emulations and implement care for acute and chronically ill patients. They provide mechanical ventilation, therapeutic procedures, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Laboratory procedures include pulmonary function testing; sleep study, arterial blood gas draw and analysis, hemodynamic measurements and radiologic evaluation.

Preparation best suited for this program includes excellent reading skills, biology, chemistry and physics. The goal of the program is 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 (RRT). Upon completion of the program the student is eligible to take the National Board for Respiratory Care Therapist Multiple Choice Examination (TMC). Students who pass at the low-cut score earn the credential of Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and are eligible for licensure in the state of Minnesota. Students who pass at the high-cut score are eligible to take the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). Upon successful completion of the CSE, the graduate will be awarded the credentials of Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT).

Technical Standards

All Respiratory Care students are required to meet definite standards for the profession and for clinical performance. The following are specific requirements of all students:

1. Ability to stand, sit, walk, push and squat.
2. Ability to lift and /or carry 25 pounds.
3. Ability to reach in forward, lateral, and overhead motions.
4. Ability to climb stairs.
5. Ability to distinguish distance, colors, objects, and persons.
6. Demonstrate depth perception.
7. Ability to hear conversations, monitor equipment, perform auscultation, use telephone and distinguish background noise.
8. Ability to distinguish sharp/dull and hot/ cold.
9. Perform fine and gross motor skills with both hands. 

Career Opportunities

Employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations because of substantial growth of the middle-aged and elderly population, a development that will heighten the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease. Respiratory Therapists are employed by hospitals, clinics or laboratories and home care agencies. Graduates may find employment through contacts made during the clinical training experiences and employment requests received by the instructional staff.

Program Outcomes

1. Graduates demonstrated knowledge and skills in Respiratory Therapy clinical experiences.
2. Graduates demonstrated knowledge and skills in Respiratory Therapy clinical simulations.
3. Graduates prepared to take the National Certification Exam.
4. Graduates prepared for employment as Respiratory Therapists.
5. Graduates communicate effectively with the Health Care Team.

Program Faculty

Debra Kasel
debra.kasel@saintpaul.edu

Erin Couey
erin.couey@saintpaul.edu

Full-Time Only

Students in this program must be enrolled fulltime with a cohort of students. Technical courses are offered only during the day and meet Monday through Friday.

Textbook and Supply Costs

Students should expect to spend approximately $2,000, beyond the cost of tuition and fees, for books, for lab coat and other supplies. 

Application Process

In addition to completing the regular Saint Paul College application and admission process, students interested in the Respiratory Therapist program must submit a completed Application to Respiratory Therapist Major form and meet the following criteria:

• Completion of the following required General Education courses:

BIOL 1730 Human Body Systems  
ENGL 1711 Composition 1  

CHEM 1711 Principles of Chemistry 1  - Prerequisite for Chemistry 1 is MATH 0920  or appropriate assessment score or CHEM 1700 Chemistry Concepts  

• GPA of 3.0 or above in programmatic required prerequisite courses.
• Applicant is required to submit official copies of all non-SPC transcripts to Saint Paul College.
• Applicant is required to apply to Saint Paul College.
• For an application to be considered, all program pre-requisites must be completed.
• The on-line application will be open on the first Monday of December and remain open until the first Monday of February.

The Respiratory Therapist Admissions Committee will review each application on GPA of program pre-requisites and meeting the above criteria. Notification of acceptance into the Respiratory Therapist Major will be sent by email 6-weeks after the deadline date.

Transfer Opportunities 

Saint Paul College has transfer agreements & partnerships between many post-secondary institutions. For more information please go to saintpaul.edu/Transfer.