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

Major Requirements
RSP 1220Introduction to Respiratory Care4
RSP 2230Cardiopulmonary Structure and Function3
RSP 2240Pharmacology for Respiratory Therapy3
RSP 2250Floor Therapy and Equipment Procedures5
RSP 2260Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology3
RSP 2290Diagnostic Testing3
RSP 2310Critical Care Equipment and Procedures5
RSP 2320Clinical Practice I4
RSP 2326Clinical Practice II6
RSP 2350Advanced Clinical Applications5
RSP 2360Clinical Practice III6
RSP 2370Registry Review Seminar2
Required Supportive Courses
BIO 2630Human Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIO 2640Human Anatomy and Physiology II4
ENG 15101Composition I 3-6
or ENG 1510E Composition I Enhanced4
or ENG 1510S Composition I with Support6
ENG 15201Composition II 3
MDA 1103Medical Terminology3
MDA 1350Medical Law and Ethics3
PSY 25101Introduction to Psychology 3
Select one of the following BIO courses:
BIO 15701Microbiology of Health and Disease 3-4
or BIO 2710 Microbiology4
Total Credit Hours for Program-Related Courses75-77
General Education Requirements
Communication / English (3-credits)
Satisfied
Fine Arts / Humanities (3-credits)3
Mathematics / Science (3-credits)
Satisfied
Social Science (3-credits)
Satisfied
Written Communication (3-credits)
Satisfied
Total Credit Hours78-82
1

Course may be used to meet General Education requirements.

A minimum cumulative 2.00 grade point average (GPA) overall is required for graduation.

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