Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers about admissions, prerequisites, clinical training, program expectations, and career pathways.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for answers about the Respiratory Therapy program?  Start here.

 

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About the Profession

 

What is a respiratory therapist?
A respiratory therapist is a healthcare professional trained to help patients with breathing and cardiopulmonary conditions.

 

What does a respiratory therapist do?
Respiratory therapists provide breathing treatments, manage ventilators, assess patients, and support heart-lung function.

 

Where do respiratory therapist work?
Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, emergency departments, intensive care units, sleep labs, pulmonary function labs, and home care settings.

 

What patient populations do respiratory therapists treat?
Respiratory therapists treat patients of all ages, from newborns to older adults.

 

What is the difference between CRT and RRT?
CRT (Certified Respiratory Therapist) and RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist) are professional respiratory therapy credentials awarded by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC). The RRT credential is considered the advanced standard for respiratory therapists and is a requirement to obtain a license to work in the state of California.

 

Is respiratory therapy a good career?
Yes. Respiratory therapy offers strong job opportunities, meaningful patient care, and increased demand following the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Program Overview

 

What are the RT program requirements?
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, complete the required prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better, and submit all required application materials by the application deadline.

 

 

Is attendance at an RT Program Preview Session required?
No, attendance is not required, but it is highly recommended. RT Program Preview Sessions provide important information about program expectations, admission requirements, clinical training, and the respiratory therapy profession to help students prepare before applying to the program.

 

 

What degree is awarded?
Grossmont College awards an Associate in Science Degree in Respiratory Therapy.

 

 

Is the program accredited?
Yes. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).  

 

 

How long is the RT program?
The RT program is a two-year Associate in Science degree program after completing prerequisite and general education coursework.

 

 

Is the program full-time?

Yes. The RT program is a full-time, daytime program that includes coursework, labs, and clinical training.

 

 

When does the program begin?

The RT program admits a new cohort each summer semester.

 

 

How many students are accepted each year?

The RT program accepts a limited number of students each year based on available staffing, lab space, equipment, and clinical placements.

 

 

Preparing for the Program

 

What can I do to prepare for the RT program?

Students are encouraged to:

  • Review RT program requirements, expectations, and the respiratory therapy profession
  • Meet with a counselor for educational planning
  • Complete prerequisites
  • Complete as many general education requirements as possible before starting the program

Completing general education coursework early may help students better focus on RT coursework and clinical training.

 

 

Prerequisites & Coursework

 

What prerequisite courses are required before applying?

Required prerequisites include:

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • BIOL 144 & 145 OR  BIOL 140, 141, & 141L (or equivalent)
  • BIOL 152 (Microbiology) or equivalent

 

What grade is required for prerequisites?
All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. 

 

 

 

Must prerequisites be completed before applying to the RT program?
Yes. Required prerequisite courses must be completed before applying to the program.

 

 

Can I complete prerequisites at another college?
Yes. Equivalent prerequisite coursework may be completed at another accredited college or university. Course descriptions or syllabi may be requested for evaluation.

 

 

Do prerequisites expire?
Yes. Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology courses must be completed within 10 years of applying to the program.

 

 

Are online science courses accepted?
Online science courses may be accepted if they include an in-person lab component. Students are encouraged to contact the Respiratory Therapy department regarding course equivalency and prerequisite approval.

 

 

How many units is the RT program?

The RT program includes:

  • 50 RT program units
  • 13 prerequisite units
  • 24 general education/elective units

Total program units: 87 

 

 

What courses are included in the RT program?

The RT program includes coursework in:

  • Respiratory care procedures
  • Cardiopulmonary physiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Critical care
  • Neonatal and pediatric respiratory care
  • Pulmonary assessment
  • Home care techniques
  • Clinical practicum experiences
  • Career preparation and licensure review

 

Applying to the Program

 

How do I apply?

To apply, students must complete the required prerequisite courses, submit the RT Program Application, and provide all required supporting documentation to the RT department.

 

 

When is the application deadline?

Applications are accepted year-round, so there is no fixed annual application deadline. Students should submit a complete application packet as soon as they meet eligibility requirements.

 

 

How competitive is the RT program?

The RT program accepts a limited number of students each year based on available staffing, lab space, equipment, and clinical placements.

 

 

Is there a waitlist for the RT program?

No.

 

When will I find out if I have been accepted to the program?

Applicants are notified within 30-days of submitting their completed application packet and supporting documentation have been reviewed by the RT department.

 

 

 

 

After Acceptance

 

What happens after I accept my seat?

Students accepted into the RT program receive additional instructions from the RT department regarding onboarding requirements, documentation, and program preparation before the cohort begins.

 

 

What expenses, supplies, and materials should students expect during the RT program?

Students should expect expenses related to uniforms, immunizations, background checks, drug screening, physical exams, certifications, textbooks, malpractice insurance, clinical tracking systems, licensing exams, and required program materials such as a stethoscope.

 

 

What certifications are completed during the program?

Students complete certifications including Basic Life Support (BLS), Neonatal Resuscitation Provider (NRP), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) during the program.

 

 

Program Experience

 

Can I work while enrolled in the RT program?

Students may work while enrolled in the RT program, but the program requires a significant time commitment for coursework, labs, clinical training, and studying.

 

 

How much studying should I expect?

The RT program is academically rigorous and requires significant study time outside of class, labs, and clinical training. Study time varies depending on each student’s schedule, learning style, and outside responsibilities. 

 

 

What is a typical week in the RT program like?

Class times and days vary each semester and may include lectures, labs, clinical training, and independent study time. Students should review the class schedule each semester for specific meeting times.  

 

 

How are students evaluated?

Students are evaluated through coursework, labs, clinical performance, skills testing, assessments, and supervised clinical practicum experiences throughout the program.

 

 

What happens if I fail a course?

Students who do not successfully progress in the RT program may be eligible for remediation, petition, or re-entry procedures outlined in the RT Student Handbook.

 

 

What support resources are available?

Students have access to support resources including counseling services, tutoring, success coaches, the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC), faculty guidance, and student support services available through Grossmont College.

 

 

What are clinical rotations and what can I expect?

Clinical rotations provide supervised hands-on experience in hospitals and healthcare settings where students apply respiratory therapy skills in real patient care environments. Students work with respiratory therapists and healthcare teams while gaining clinical experience with patients across a variety of care settings. 

 

 

Are students responsible for transportation to clinical sites?

Yes. Students are responsible for transportation to assigned clinical training sites throughout the program. 

 

 

When do clinical rotations begin?

Clinical training begins early in the RT program through supervised clinical practicum courses. 

 

 

Program Completion & Career

 

What credential will I earn?

Grossmont College awards an Associate in Science Degree in Respiratory Therapy. Graduates are eligible to apply for the credentialing and licensing exams administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

 

 

What exams are required after graduation?

Graduates must complete the NBRC credentialing examinations required for licensure. The RRT credentialing process includes a written examination and a Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE). 


 

Does completion of the program guarantee licensure?

No. Graduates must successfully complete the required NBRC credentialing examinations and meet state licensure requirements. Licensure requirements may vary by state.

 

Should I continue my education after becoming an RT?

Many respiratory therapists continue their education after becoming licensed respiratory therapists. Additional education may support career advancement opportunities in leadership, education, specialized care areas, or advanced healthcare roles.