TCC Resoiratory Care Blue Team

Respiratory Care, A.A.S.

Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Workforce Development

Classes offered at following campus(es)

  • Metro

Contact Information:

Kara Thompson, BS, RRT, RRT-NPS 918-595-7021 School of Health Sciences
909 S. Boston Ave. Tulsa, OK 74119
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If you see yourself working in a fast-paced health care environment where you make a difference in the lives of patients suffering from breathing or lung issues, then TCC’s Respiratory Care Program may be a great match for you.

Our Respiratory Care Program provides you with the education needed to serve as part of a team of health care professionals, working side-by-side with physicians, nurses and others in lifesaving and life-supporting situations. As an advanced Respiratory Therapist, you assess and treat patients of all ages, from newborns to senior citizens.

Employment demand for Respiratory Therapists is expected to grow by 12 percent by 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau Labor Statistics, faster than other occupations. An increasing elderly population and advances in respiratory treatments are expected to drive the job market for Respiratory Therapists at hospitals, health care service providers and physician offices.

New Class Begins Each Fall

Respiratory Care student

TCC’s Respiratory Care Program generally accepts 25 students each year beginning in the fall term. Application deadline for admittance to the program is April 15 of each year. Applicants who have completed Human Anatomy and Physiology will be interviewed in March or April by respiratory care program faculty. Selection is determined from a point system based on the applicant's overall GPA, GPA in math and science courses, ATI TEAS composite score, ATI TEAS math and reading score and on the interview. Applicants with more math and science courses will be more highly considered for acceptance into the program.

The Respiratory Care Program is a two-year, five-term, full-time day program consisting of specialized courses offered in a specific sequence. 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 (RRTs). Respiratory Care program courses are offered in the daytime only. General education courses may be taken prior to being accepted into the program to lighten course loads. Human Anatomy and Physiology is a prerequisite course that must be taken prior to acceptance into the program. Your course of study will include all aspects of respiratory health and respiratory care techniques, as well as hands-on clinical experiences.

When you graduate from our program you will be awarded an Associate Degree in Applied Science and eligible to apply for the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Certification and Registry Examinations. The NBRC states “The first examination for earning the RRT is the Therapist Multiple-Choice (TMC) Examination (prior to January 2015, it was known as the Written Registry Examination). The TMC Examination evaluates the abilities required of respiratory therapists at entry into practice and determines eligibility for the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). The CRT and/or RRT credentials are used as the basis for the licensure in all 49 states that regulate the practice of respiratory care. There are two cut scores for the TMC Examination. If a candidate achieves the low-cut score, he or she will earn the CRT credential. If a candidate achieves the high cut score, he or she will earn the CRT credential AND become eligible for the Clinical Simulation Examination (provided the candidate is eligible to earn the RRT credential).”

Degree Requirements

Program Map

Accreditation

The Respiratory Care Program at Tulsa Community College is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). Our program number is 200146.

Estimated Program Costs

Cost Amount
Tuition $7,991.05
Admission Fee $20.00
Facility Fee $142.00
Library Fee $195.25
Remedial Fee $923.00
Student Assessment Fee $106.50
Technology Fee $568.00
Cultural and Recreational Service Fee $88.75
Parking Fee $90.00
Student Activity Fee $365.65
Student Center Fee $518.30
Student ID Card $5.00
Course Lab Fees $108.00
Drug Screening Fee1 $50.00
Criminal Background Check1 $49.00
Immunization Tracking Service Fee1 $35.00
Student Malpractice Insurance Fee1 $26.00
Clinical Software1 $104.00
Clinica Tracking Fee1 $130.00
NBRC Review Fee1 $295.00
Pinning Ceremony1 $50.00
CPR Training1 $65.00
Estimated Textbook Costs1 $1,640.00
Total $13,565.50

Cost is specific to each student and/or varies due to the nature of the associated cost.

1Allied Health Specific Fees

Program Goal

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 (RRTs).

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. Learn more about CoARC Programmatic Outcomes Data.

Workforce Development Degree Information

Workforce development degree and certificate programs are designed to prepare students for direct entry into the workforce. They may advance students within their current career positions or open doors to new career opportunities. Coursework may apply towards a degree at a four-year university; check with an advisor for further information. The number of hours that apply to a degree will vary from one university to another.

Testing Requirements and Program Application

Respiratory Care student

ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

Before applying for the program, all students must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam. This exam is offered multiple times per application period. There is a $82 charge for this exam from the testing company.

The ATI TEAS is administered in a remote proctored environment. Testing will be proctored by TCC faculty/staff and all established testing protocols will be strictly enforced.

Testing and Results

  1. Create a user account at www.atitesting.com
  2. Select Tulsa CC AH for Institution
  3. Sign in using your ATI username and password
  4. Select Online Store at the top of the page
  5. Under Register for… along the left column, select TEAS
  6. Select TEAS for ALLIED HEALTH on the Program Type drop down
  7. Select Country (USA), State (OK), and City (Tulsa) from the drop down
  8. Select a test date and time
  9. Select Register
  10. Select Check Out to complete your registration
  11. Pay the testing fee ($82)
  12. Check for confirmation email from ATI

Testing Policy

  • Test results must be no more than two years old at the application deadline.
  • Student may take the exam no more than three times in a 12-month period.
  • Students are required to wait 30 days between each attempt.

Additional Information

  • ATI/TEAS test dates and times are listed on www.atitesting.com.
  • You must attach the “Individual Performance Profile” results page to your TCC Respiratory Care program online application.

Apply to the Program

The applicant pool for programs in the School of Health Sciences are very competitive. Application does not mean acceptance into the Health Sciences program. Applicants are required to meet with a School of Health Sciences advisor before they apply to a program and may be required to attend an orientation for the Allied Health related programs. All application correspondence from the School of Health Sciences will be through your TCC email.

Apply to Program

Respiratory Care Essential Functions/Technical Standards

Selection Process

A selection committee reviews all applications. Qualified applicants will be granted an interview with the Respiratory Care Program faculty. Qualified applicants are then ranked from the highest to the lowest score according to an established point system. The top applicants are selected for the next fall semester.

The selection criteria are based on the following:

  • Cumulative GPA (2.5 or greater)
  • High School GPA (if less than 12 college credit hours)
  • ATI TEAS Composite Score of 60
  • ATI TEAS Math score of 55 and Reading Score of 60