Respiratory Therapy Home Page - 2026

VICTOR VALLEY COLLEGE

Respiratory Therapy

Dr. Prem Reddy School of Health Sciences

Associate of Science Degree   ◆   CoARC Accredited   ◆   Program #200207

2

YEARS

26

STUDENTS/YEAR

82

UNITS

~$2,000

EST. COSTS*

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

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

Our Mission

We believe in promoting excellence for Respiratory Therapy through education and public service.

  • Support the mission of Victor Valley College
  • Prepare students to pass State Licensure and NBRC Registry examinations
  • Meet the medical community's need for qualified respiratory care practitioners

What You'll Learn

COGNITIVE

Comprehend, apply & evaluate clinical information

PSYCHOMOTOR

Technical proficiency in all necessary skills

AFFECTIVE

Professional behaviors meeting employer expectations

Apply Now

APPLICATION PERIOD

January 2 – April 1

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

Selection Process

We use a points-based selection system. Earn points for:

  • Completion of Human Anatomy (BIOL 211)
  • Completion of Human Physiology (BIOL 231)
  • Completion of Microbiology (BIOL 221)
  • Completion of all graduation requirements

Tiebreaker: Cumulative GPA

Prerequisites

Complete before RSPT 230. Minimum grade: C-. High school courses don't qualify.

Course

Units

Grade

MATH 103 or 105 (College Algebra)

4

C

BIOL 100 or 107 (Biology)

4

C

CHEM 100 (Introductory Chemistry)

4

C

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
  • Liability insurance

Transfer Students

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

Advanced Placement

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

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

Curriculum

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

4

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

4

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.

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

Grading Scale

A  90-100%

B  80-89%

C  70-79%

D  60-69%

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

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)

Student Employment

Full-time work is not recommended

Due to demanding coursework and clinical schedules (24-36 hours/week at various sites). Students provide their own transportation.

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.

Academic Calendar

View VVC Academic Calendar →

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

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