Respiratory Therapy

Students considering a Respiratory Therapy associate degree often prioritize programmatic accreditation, clinical training, eligibility pathways for credentialing/licensure, and regulatory compliance.

The Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program at Platt College offers:

An Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy
On-campus (residential) program delivery
Required on-campus instruction and hands-on training aligned to respiratory care practice
Supervised clinical education in real healthcare settings as required by the program
Programmatic accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
Institutional accreditation by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
Approval to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)
Student support services available throughout enrollment, including academic advising, financial aid guidance, and Career Services

Platt College programs are educational in nature. Completion of the program does not guarantee certification, licensure, or employment.

The Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program provides instruction designed to prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors of respiratory care practice.

Instruction includes respiratory care content such as:

• Introduction to respiratory therapy and respiratory care practice
• Pulmonary physiology and cardiopulmonary anatomy/physiology
• Blood gas interpretation
• Pathophysiology and respiratory pharmacology
• Patient assessment and airway management
• Medical gas therapy, humidity & aerosol therapy, and lung expansion therapy
• Ventilatory support (intro, modes, monitoring, and management)
• Specialty content areas included in the program sequence (e.g., neonatal and pediatric respiratory care)
• Program review content integrated near the end of the curriculum

Students also complete multiple supervised clinical rotations as a required part of the program sequence.

The Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program is designed to be completed in:

• Approximately 20 months (full-time)

For full-time enrollment, the Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program consists of:

• 1,995 clock hours
• 135 quarter credits

Upon successful completion of the Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program and meeting graduation requirements, graduates are awarded an:

• Associate Degree in Respiratory Therapy

Graduation requirements include meeting minimum academic and attendance standards and completing required institutional steps prior to graduation clearance.

The Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program is offered at:

• Alhambra
• Ontario

This Respiratory Therapy program is delivered on campus (residential) and follows an established program sequence.

Instruction includes:

• Classroom-based instruction
• Hands-on training delivered through the program’s on-campus instructional format
• Required supervised clinical education at affiliated healthcare facilities

The Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program follows a structured cohort format.

Class meeting times, clinical schedules, and start dates:

• Are determined by the cohort and campus
• Are reviewed during the enrollment process

Yes. Supervised clinical rotations are a required component of the Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program.

Clinical education occurs in real healthcare settings and is completed as part of the program’s required clinical rotation sequence.

The Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program provides education applicable to entry-level respiratory care roles, subject to credentialing/licensure requirements and employer expectations.

Graduates may pursue opportunities in healthcare settings where respiratory care services are provided, subject to individual qualifications and applicable requirements.

Employment outcomes vary based on individual circumstances and credentialing/licensure requirements.

The Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program may be a good fit for individuals who:

• Want an associate-level respiratory therapy education delivered on campus
• Are prepared for a structured academic and clinical program sequence
• Want a program that includes required supervised clinical education
• Are seeking an accredited program aligned to respiratory therapy credentialing pathways, subject to applicable requirements

Prospective students are encouraged to speak with Admissions and review required disclosures prior to enrollment.

In addition to general enrollment requirements, the Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program has additional program-specific requirements that include:

• A passing score on an Allied Health standardized exam (HESI) with a minimum average score of 70
• In-person interview with the Program Director
• Submission of a personal statement
• Submission of transcripts and GPA from previous educational experiences
• Passing a criminal background check
• Meeting minimum physical requirements
• Ability to pass drug testing at any point during enrollment
• Enrollment steps also include:
• Completing a personal admissions interview and tour of the campus
• Completing enrollment documentation

Program-specific requirements are reviewed during the enrollment process.

Transfer credit may be considered, subject to transcript evaluation and academic approval.

Respiratory therapy core and clinical coursework typically follows the established program sequence to meet program outcomes and required clinical progression.

The Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program costs may include:

• Tuition
• Books and supplies

The most current cost information can be found in the Catalog Addendum and will also be reviewed during the enrollment process.

Financial aid is available to qualified students for the Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program. Eligibility and available options are reviewed during the financial aid portion of the enrollment process.

Yes. The Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program is programmatically accredited by CoARC.

Platt College also holds institutional accreditation by ACCSC and is approved to operate by BPPE.

Graduates may be eligible to pursue credentialing and licensure pathways, subject to applicable requirements.

In California, Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) licensure requirements include items such as:

• Earning the RRT credential to obtain the RCP license from the Respiratory Care Board of California
• Completing a California Law and Ethics course
• Completing Live Scan clearance
• Completing the RCP application (including official transcripts)

Program completion does not guarantee credentialing, licensure, or employment.

The Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program includes instruction and required clinical education aligned to respiratory care practice. Graduates may pursue credentialing examinations, subject to applicable requirements.

The Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program is delivered on campus (residential).

The Associate Degree is the on-campus respiratory therapy program that includes required clinical education in the associate-level program sequence.

The Bachelor’s program is a separate degree pathway and may have different admissions requirements and delivery methods depending on the specific bachelor’s program.

The enrollment process for the Respiratory Therapy Associate Degree Program includes:

• Requesting information and speaking with Admissions
• Completing a personal admissions interview and tour of the campus
• Completing program-specific enrollment requirements (including required exam and Program Director interview, as applicable)
• Submitting required documentation
• Reviewing required institutional disclosures
• Completing enrollment paperwork
• Starting in the next available cohort