Offered at the SPC Reese Center

Respiratory care is a rapidly expanding medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of people with cardiopulmonary disorders. South Plains College offers a two-year program that culminates in an Associate of Applied Science degree in respiratory care. This degree confers eligibility to apply for the Entry-Level and Advanced-Level Therapist examinations given by the National Board for Respiratory Care. A successful score on the Entry-Level examination qualifies the applicant as a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and allows application for a Texas Respiratory Care Practitioner license. Successful completion of the Advanced-Level examination leads to the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential (RRT). The program is currently on probationary accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC).

Program Admission Requirements

Persons interested in the Respiratory Care program must complete the following entrance requirements:

1. Complete the requirements for admission to South Plains College. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to the Respiratory Care program.
2. Complete a career planning session with the Respiratory Care program director and receive a program application. The applicant should contact the program at (806) 885-3048.
3. Submit a program application to the program director by April 15 to be eligible for the upcoming August class. Early application is recommended.
4. Complete the manditory prerequisite classes before the fall classes begins. It is recommended that applicants complete as many of the remaining general education classes as possible. Classes must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
5. Admission to the program is limited, based on clinical training space. Eligible applicants will be evaluated by the following criteria:
   1. Must successfully complete all prerequisite coures with a grade of “C” or better before the fall Respiratory Program classes begin. Completion of all general education classes is strongly recommended.
   2. Interview with the program director.
   3. Evaluation of grade point average.
   4. Submission date of application.
   5. When unusual circumstances present themselves, special consideration for admission may be evaluated on an individual basis. The program director, Allied Health Chairperson and Dean of Health Occupations will make these final determinations regarding admission to the program.