Respiratory Therapy (RSP.APP)

Extended Degree – Associate in Applied Science

Health Sciences

Southfield Campus

This program leads to an Associate in Applied Science Degree and is designated as an Extended Degree Program in that the student must complete a minimum of 73 or more required credit hours.

The Respiratory Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, www.coarc.com and is an entry-level program. Our goal is to prepare students to be competent registered respiratory therapists upon completion of this program.

The first year consists of pre-respiratory therapy courses and the second year consists of both theory and clinical experience specific to respiratory care of patients in hospitals, extended care facilities, or outpatient clinics. For admission to the second year of the program, see Program Admission Procedures below.

Program Admission Procedures

Students must first be admitted to the college and must declare Respiratory Therapy (RSP) as their curriculum. Each year a limited number of students are admitted to the program through a selection procedure. Basic admission requirements include:

• Attendance at a respiratory therapy information session
• Graduation from high school or GED
• Declaration of Respiratory Therapy as the designated curriculum choice.
• Completion of all required supportive courses with a grade of a “C” (2.0) or higher.
• Completion of General Education Requirements with a grade of a “C” (2.0) or higher.
• Overall Grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 or better.
• HESI admission assessment (A2) exam completed at OCC. Minimum composite score of 75% on each section, achieved during the same testing session. One retake permitted; fees are assessed for each attempt.
• Attendance at a record review session.

Students who meet the basic eligibility admission requirements and apply by the deadline (MAY 1) will be included in the selection process. All requirements must be completed by the deadline of the year preceding intended enrollment in the respiratory therapy program. Notification of the selection decision will be sent by mail by June 30. Students will be scored on three criteria: GPA of the required supportive English and Biology courses, the number of required supportive English and Biology courses repeated, and the number of required supportive English and Biology courses transferred to OCC.

Requirements and procedures for admission may be found on the respiratory therapy web site at https://www.oaklandcc.edu/health/respiratory-therapy/default.aspx.  

Students must obtain a grade of a “C” (2.0) or better in all currently required college and program courses for an Associate in Applied Science in order to be certified as eligible to take the national credential examinations administered by the National Board of Respiratory Care.

The policies and regulations regarding admission, progression and retention in the respiratory therapy program, as well as certification, registry, and state licensure qualifications are outlined in the Respiratory Therapy Student Handbook which is provided to each student enrolled in the respiratory therapy program.

The Respiratory Therapy Program is designed as a full-time program. Supportive courses must be completed before entering the respiratory therapy program.

A mandatory criminal history check with fingerprinting and drug screening will be conducted on all students selected to the Respiratory Therapy Program, prior to the start of the program, at the student's expense.

1. Conviction of a felony or conviction of any attempt to commit a felony within the 15 years immediately preceding the date of the criminal history check; or
2. Conviction of a misdemeanor within the 10 years immediately preceding the criminal history check, and/or a positive drug screen will preclude eligibility for admission.

In addition to the regular tuition, Respiratory Therapy students incur extra costs including, but not limited to; liability insurance, health examination, uniforms, required vaccinations, supplies, travel, registry application and certification fees.  For further details contact the Respiratory Therapy Department at (248) 233-2919.

Respiratory Therapy program webpage

Full Time - Respiratory Therapy program plan example

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirements
RSP 1220	Introduction to Respiratory Care	4
RSP 2230	Cardiopulmonary Structure and Function	3
RSP 2240	Pharmacology for Respiratory Therapy	3
RSP 2250	Floor Therapy and Equipment Procedures	5
RSP 2260	Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology	3
RSP 2290	Diagnostic Testing	3
RSP 2310	Critical Care Equipment and Procedures	5
RSP 2320	Clinical Practice I	4
RSP 2326	Clinical Practice II	6
RSP 2350	Advanced Clinical Applications	5
RSP 2360	Clinical Practice III	6
RSP 2370	Registry Review Seminar	2
Required Supportive Courses
BIO 2630	Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
BIO 2640	Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4
ENG 15101	Composition I	3-6
or ENG 1510E	Composition I Enhanced	4
or ENG 1510S	Composition I with Support	6
ENG 15201	Composition II	3
MDA 1103	Medical Terminology	3
MDA 1350	Medical Law and Ethics	3
PSY 25101	Introduction to Psychology	3
Select one of the following BIO courses:
BIO 15701	Microbiology of Health and Disease	3-4
or BIO 2710	Microbiology	4
Total Credit Hours for Program-Related Courses		75-77
General Education Requirements
Communication / English (3-credits)
Satisfied
Fine Arts / Humanities (3-credits)		3
Complete 3 credits from Fine Arts/Humanities courses listed in the General Education Distribution List
Mathematics / Science (3-credits)
Satisfied
Social Science (3-credits)
Satisfied
Written Communication (3-credits)
Satisfied
Total Credit Hours		78-82