Respiratory Care, Associate of Science Degree, Joint Degree Program with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)

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The Associate of Science degree program in Respiratory Care prepares students to become therapists in the field of respiratory care. Students apply scientific knowledge to practical problems of respiratory care and are qualified to assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including supervision of respiratory therapy technicians.

Students can find employment in a variety of clinical settings. Students are qualified to work in the various specialty areas, such as pediatrics and neonatal, management and education. In addition, opportunities for advancement in areas such as supervision, education and equipment sales and marketing are available to the experienced, credentialed practitioner. Students are also qualified to provide care in patients’ homes, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and other health care facilities.

Students enrolled in this joint health care program attend classes at both Raritan Valley Community College and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey following a prepared curriculum approved by the two institutions.

Curriculum at RVCC

Requirements for admission to Respiratory Care portion of the program

ENGL 111 - English Composition I 3 Credits
MATH 101 - Number Systems 3 Credits or
MATH 110 - Statistics I 3 Credits
BIOL 124 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I 4 Credits
CHEM 102 - Introduction to Chemistry 4 Credits
Humanities 3 Credits ¹
ENGL 112 - English Composition II 3 Credits
CISY 102 - Computer Literacy 3 Credits
BIOL 125 - Human Anatomy & Physiology II 4 Credits
BIOL 133 - Principles of Microbiology 4 Credits
PSYC 103 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credits
Humanities 3 Credits ¹ or
Social Science 3 Credits¹

Credits 37

*Upon completion of the first year with a minimum 2.75 GPA , students must apply for selective admission to the clinical portion of the program.

*The Health Organization Basic Entrance Test (HOBET) is required of all applicants for the UMDNJ portion of the program. Scores will be used to determine admission.

*A minimum of 20 credits must be completed at Raritan Valley Community College.

Curriculum A.S. Degree

Respiratory Care Program at UMDNJ

First Semester - Fall

RSTN 2100 Core Concepts of Respiratory Care 2 Credits
RSTN 2100 Fundamentals of Respiratory Care 4 Credits
RSTN 2231 Applied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology I 3 Credits
RSTN 2220 Cardiopulmonary Pharmacology 3 Credits
RSTN 2189 Clinical Practice I 1 Credit

Second Semester - Spring

RSTN 2250 Principles of Ventilatory Support 5 Credits
RSTN 2232 Applied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology II 2 Credits
RSTN 2255 Pediatric and Neonatal Respiratory Care 3 Credits
RSTN 2230 Cardiopulmonary Evaluation 3 Credits
RSTN 2289 Clinical Practice II 2 Credits

Third Semester - Summer

RSTN 2340 Patient Management in Critical Care 3 Credits
RSTN 2370 Long-Term, Home and Rehabilitative Care 3 Credits
RSTN 2389 Clinical Practice III 3 Credits

Credits 37

Total Credits for A.S. Degree 74

¹Select a course from the appropriate category of the General Education & Computer Science Electives List list.