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VICTOR VALLEY COLLEGE

Respiratory Therapy

Associate of Science Degree Dr. Prem Reddy School of Health Sciences

CoARC Accredited · Program #200207

YEARS

STUDENTS/YEAR

UNITS

~$2,000

EST. COSTS*

Apply: Jan 1 – Apr 1 Entry: Summer Format: Associate of Science Selection: Points-based

01 Accreditation

Our program holds Continuing Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), and VVC is accredited by ACCJC/WASC.

CoARC — PROGRAMMATIC

Program #200207

264 Precision Blvd, Telford, TN 37690

(817) 283-2835

www.coarc.com

ACCJC/WASC — INSTITUTIONAL

Regional Accreditation

10 Commercial Blvd, Suite 204, Novato, CA 94949

(415) 506-0234

www.accjc.org

02 Program Outcomes

CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes based’ process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.

View our outcomes data: coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data

03 Our Mission

The Victor Valley College Respiratory Therapy Program is dedicated to building a culture of psychological safety and shared excellence, where students feel supported to reveal their learning needs and faculty are empowered to meet them through reflective teaching and continuous professional development. By investing in both the learner and the educator, we maximize retention, board pass rates, and the employment outcomes that transform the lives of our graduates and the families they work to support — with an unwavering commitment to equity, access, and the healthcare workforce needs of the Inland Empire communities we serve.

04 Our Vision

To be the Inland Empire’s premier respiratory therapy program — recognized for graduating compassionate, board-certified clinicians who are shaped by a culture of trust, continuous growth, and shared accountability, and who strengthen the health and economic vitality of the communities that need them most.

05 Program Philosophy

We believe that clinical excellence is built on a foundation of psychological safety. When students feel safe enough to say “I don’t know,” and faculty are skilled and humble enough to respond with guidance rather than judgment, real learning happens. The VVC Respiratory Therapy Program holds that the educator’s growth is inseparable from the student’s success — that reflective teaching, honest feedback, and mutual accountability are not ideals to aspire to, but daily practices we commit to. We further believe that earning the RRT credential is not merely an academic achievement — it is a career-defining, family-sustaining milestone that carries real economic consequence for our graduates and the communities they come from. As a program rooted in the Inland Empire, we take seriously our responsibility to develop an equitable, accessible pathway to a profession that transforms lives.

06 Program Values

Psychological Safety — We create space where students and faculty alike can acknowledge uncertainty, ask hard questions, and grow without fear of judgment.
Shared Excellence — We hold ourselves to high standards collectively. Student success and faculty development are not separate goals — they are the same goal.
Reflective Practice — We model what we teach. Faculty continuously examine and improve their instructional methods, just as students are expected to examine and improve their clinical knowledge.
Equity and Access — We recognize that many of our students carry significant responsibilities outside the classroom. We design our support systems to meet students where they are, remove barriers to completion, and ensure that background never determines outcome.
Clinical Integrity — We prepare graduates who are not only board-ready but ethically grounded, patient-centered, and prepared to advocate for those in their care.
Community Impact — We are rooted in the Inland Empire. The success of our graduates directly strengthens the regional healthcare workforce and the families and communities that depend on it.

07 Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

COGNITIVE DOMAIN

Demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate clinical information relative to their role as an advanced-practiced therapist.

PSYCHOMOTOR DOMAIN

Demonstrate the technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill the role of Registered Respiratory Therapist.

AFFECTIVE DOMAIN

Demonstrate behaviors consistent with professionalism and meet employer expectations for the Registered Respiratory Therapist.

08 Apply Now

Applications open each spring for summer entry — here’s how to start.

RSPT_Application_2027.pdf

Submit Your Application (Microsoft Forms)

APPLICATION PERIOD

January 1 – April 1

Submit materials by April 1 at 5:00 PM for summer entry. Apply to both VVC and the RT Program separately.

09 Eligibility to Apply

Complete these before the April 1 deadline. All eligible applicants are then ranked using the point system below.

REQUIREMENT	DETAIL
Human Anatomy (BIOL 211 or equivalent)	Grade of C or better
Human Physiology (BIOL 231 or equivalent)	Grade of C or better
Microbiology (BIOL 221 or equivalent)	Grade of C or better
Science recency	All three completed within the last 10 years, at least one within the last 5
Minimum GPA	2.50 in the sciences above and 2.50 in English composition and math
General Education	VVC local A.S. general education, or Cal-GETC, CSU GE, or IGETC — complete, or on track to be complete by end of Spring 2027 and verified with a VVC counselor. A conferred AA-T, AS-T, or bachelor’s degree also satisfies this requirement.
Course repeats	Each science may be repeated once. Withdrawals before census do not count as attempts.

High school courses don’t qualify. Coursework in progress during spring may be used to establish eligibility; placement is provisional until spring grades post.

10 Selection Process

We use a 100-point selection system designed to predict success in the program and on the NBRC credentialing exams.

CATEGORY	POINTS
Science GPA (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology)	65
English composition and math GPA	20
Healthcare credential (see tiers below)	15
Total	100

GPA points are calculated on a continuous scale — every tenth of a point counts. Math uses your highest grade in a course that satisfies the A.S. degree math graduation requirement, regardless of level; math below that level does not count.

Healthcare Credential Tiers

POINTS	CREDENTIAL
15	RN, Radiologic Technologist (CRT), Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS/RDCS/RCS), Paramedic
10	LVN, Psychiatric Technician, Surgical Technologist, RPSGT
5	CNA, EMT, CRAT, Phlebotomy Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Hemodialysis Technician, Medical Assistant

One credential counts (highest tier held). Must be current and unexpired on the application deadline.

Tiebreaker: Science GPA, then a documented random draw.

Provisional placement: Scores are recalculated after spring grades post. A drop in score may result in forfeiture of the seat; recalculation never displaces an applicant already placed.

11 After Acceptance

Complete by end of July:

• Physical exam with TB test

• Immunizations & titers

• COVID-19 vaccination + boosters

• Drug screening & background check

• AHA BLS certification

12 Transfer Students

Transfers from other RT programs are considered individually. Prior RT courses must be equivalent for credit.

13 Advanced Placement

Not offered. Prior RT education or work experience cannot substitute for required coursework.

14 Technical Standards

Students must meet these essential functions (with or without reasonable accommodation):

PHYSICAL

• Stand/walk 6-12 hours

• Lift and transfer patients

• Fine motor skills

• Handle stressful situations

SENSORY

• Visual acuity & color vision

• Identify clinical odors

• Respond to auditory signals

• Distinguish sound variances

COGNITIVE

• Calculate dosages

• Medical terminology

• Emergency decision-making

• Build patient rapport

15 Curriculum

Sixty-two units across respiratory therapy courses, required sciences, and general education.

Respiratory Therapy Courses

COURSE	TITLE	UNITS
RSPT 230	Introduction to Respiratory Therapy	3
RSPT 231	Basic Fundamentals of Respiratory Therapy	10
RSPT 221	Basic Cardiopulmonary Clinical Practicum	3
RSPT 232	Patient Assessment and Clinical Application	10
RSPT 239	Introduction to Mechanical Ventilation	2
RSPT 50	Introduction to Polysomnography	4
RSPT 233	Intensive Respiratory Care	13
RSPT 222	Advanced Cardiopulmonary Clinical Practicum	3
RSPT 234	Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care	13
RSPT 243	RT Seminar/Board Prep	1

Required Sciences

BIOL 211 Human Anatomy (5) • BIOL 231 Human Physiology (5) • BIOL 221 Microbiology (5)

General Education

ENGL 101 (3) • PSYC 101 (3) • Humanities (3) • American Institutions (3) • Communication (3) • Kinesiology (0.5-1)

Course Sequence

RSPT 230 → 231 → 221 → 232 → 239 → 50 → 233 → 222 → 234 → 243

Note: A&P required before RSPT 233. Microbiology required before RSPT 234.

Typical Weekly Schedule

Based on the 2026–27 schedule. Days, times, and rooms change every year — this shows the shape of the week, not a promise. Clinical shifts are scheduled by the hospital and may fall on any day, including weekends.

Year 1

SESSION	COURSE	LECTURE	LAB	CLINICAL
Summer	RSPT 230	Mon & Wed 8:00–11:20 AM	—	—
Fall	RSPT 231	Tue, Thu, Sat 8:00–11:00 AM (first 8 weeks)	Tue, Thu, Sat 11:00 AM–4:00 PM (first 8 weeks)	Hospital, ~24 hrs/wk (second 8 weeks)
Winter	RSPT 221	—	Sat 1:30–4:20 PM (remote)	Hospital, ~24 hrs/wk
Spring	RSPT 232	Fri 4:00–8:15 PM	Sat 9:00 AM–4:50 PM (mid-semester block)	Hospital, ~24 hrs/wk

Year 2

SESSION	COURSE	LECTURE	LAB	CLINICAL
Summer	RSPT 239	Mon 9:00–11:20 AM	Mon 11:30 AM–2:45 PM	Hospital, times TBD
	RSPT 50	Hybrid / online	—	Sleep lab, times TBD
Fall	RSPT 233	Sat 9:00 AM–1:30 PM	Sat 1:30–6:20 PM	Hospital, ~24 hrs/wk
Winter	RSPT 222	—	Sat 10:00 AM–12:50 PM (remote)	Hospital, ~24 hrs/wk
Spring	RSPT 234	Sat 10:00 AM–2:15 PM	—	Hospital, ~24 hrs/wk
	RSPT 243	Fri 4:00–4:50 PM (remote)	—	—

16 Graduation

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

• All RSPT & science courses: C or better

• Complete A.S. Degree requirements

• Maintain 2.0 GPA minimum

CLINICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Complete all clinical objectives

• Max one unsatisfactory evaluation

• Certifications: BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP

17 Grading Scale

90-100%

80-89%

70-79%

60-69%

18 Program Costs

Estimated expenses (excludes tuition):

ITEM	COST
Textbooks	$600
Licensure & Exam Fees	$200
Physical/Labs/Immunizations	$350
BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP Certifications	$350
Supplies, Uniforms, Equipment	$350
Parking, Insurance, Fees	$150
Estimated Total	~$2,000

Tuition info: vvc.edu/fees-refunds

19 Policies

Promotion

• Pass all RT courses with C or higher

• Satisfactory clinical evaluations

• Courses taken consecutively

• Maintain 2.0 GPA

Withdrawal & Dismissal

• One RT course may be repeated (once)

• Exit interview for withdrawals

• Re-entry: apply 6 months in advance

Refunds: vvc.edu/fees-refunds

Grievances: vvc.edu/vvc-complaint-process (file within 5 days)

20 Student Employment

Full-time work is not recommended

Due to demanding coursework and clinical schedules (about 24 hours/week at various sites). Students provide their own transportation.

21 Non-Discrimination

VVC and the RT Program do not discriminate based on race, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

22 Academic Calendar

View VVC Academic Calendar →

23 Contact Us

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Nicholas Morris

M.Ed, BSRT, RRT-ACCS, RRT-NPS

Faculty Chair

Building 32, Room 03C

(760) 245-4271 ext. 2509

Nicholas.Morris@vvc.edu

DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL EDUCATION

Thomas M. Seaton

BS, RRT

Building 32

(760) 245-4271 ext. 2507

Thomas.Seaton@vvc.edu

MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Mufaddal Hasan, MD

Critical Care • Pulmonary • Internal Medicine

MAILING ADDRESS

Victor Valley College

Respiratory Therapy Program

18422 Bear Valley Road

Victorville, CA 92395