Respiratory Therapy
Associate in Science Degree
This Program provides students with a strong academic foundation and the clinical proficiency to utilize modern respiratory devices (under the direction of a physician) in the treatment of respiratory and cardiac ailments. In the Fall 1996 semester East Los Angeles College and Santa Monica College merged their respective Respiratory Therapy programs. This partnership provides increased access to medical and related clinical resources for students. Under the merged program all prerequisite science courses and introductory respiratory therapy courses can be taken at either campus. The student is strongly advised to begin the Respiratory Therapy Curriculum in the summer in order to complete all required courses within two years, especially if Math 115 must be taken as a prerequisite of Chemistry 51, Respiratory Therapy 2, Physics 11, and Respiratory Therapy 21.

Acceptance into the second year Respiratory Therapy classes:
The criteria for acceptance into the second year Respiratory courses, beginning with Respiratory Therapy 15 in the summer, are as follows:

1. Satisfactory completion of Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Respiratory Therapy 21 or Physics, Microbiology, and Reparatory Therapy 1 and 2 with a grade of "C" or better.

2. First consideration will be given to students in continuous attendance at East Los Angeles College and/or Santa Monica College.


Non-Traditional Respiratory Therapy
Associate in Science Degree
This program is designed for the experienced licensed therapist, who may not have transfer credit in Respiratory Therapy. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the advanced Practitioner Examination (RRT), Perinatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialty Examination, Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist (RPFT) and the Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist (CPFT) examinations administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Program Prerequisites:

1. The student must satisfy the requirements of one of the following categories:
   1. Two years of documented full-time experience in respiratory care, or
   2. Certification as a respiratory therapist by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) plus one year of documented full time respiratory therapy experience.
   3. Two years of documented full time experience as a registered nurse (RN) in a hospital setting with major contact with respiratory patients.
2. Completion of an application for the non-traditional respiratory therapy program. Applications can be obtained from the Respiratory Therapy Program Office (323) 265-8813.