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Curriculum & Costs

For the Tacoma Community College Respiratory Therapy Program

Respiratory Therapy Curriculum

Courses in the TCC Respiratory Therapy program

Requirements

Degree Program

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Respiratory Therapy starts fall quarter and runs for seven consecutive quarters. Please note that this program requires students to attend summer quarter classes during their first year.

In addition to the Respiratory Therapy curriculum, students must complete prerequisite and co-requisite courses.

TCC's Respiratory Therapy is 117 - 127 credits.

Here are recommended schedules:

First Quarter	Course Number	Course Name	Credits
Fall	RC 175**	Respiratory Care Orientation	2
	RC 150	Fundamentals of Respiratory Care I	4
	RC 263	Pulmonary Functions	3
	RC 180	Respiratory Therapy Clinical I	3
	RC 193	Respiratory Pharmacology I	1
		Total Credits:	17

Second Quarter	Course Number	Course Name	Credits
Winter	RC 151	Fundamentals of Respiratory Care II	4
	RC 161	Arterial Blood Gases	3
	RC 171	Respiratory Therapy Equipment II	3
	RC 181	Respiratory Therapy Clinical II	3
	RC 194	Respiratory Pharmacology II	1
		Total Credits:	14

Third Quarter	Course Number	Course Name	Credits
Spring	RC 152	Mechanical Ventilation	4
	RC 162	Advanced Pathophysiology	3
	RC 172	Respiratory Therapy Equipment III	4
	RC 182	Respiratory Therapy Clinical III	3
	RC 195	Respiratory Pharmacology III	1
		Total Credits:	15

Fourth Quarter	Course Number	Course Name	Credits
Summer	CMST 101	Introduction to Communication	5
	RC 153	Alternative Procedures in Respiratory Therapy	3
	RC 165	Evolving Roles in Respiratory Therapy	2
	RC 183	Respiratory Therapy Clinical IV	4
	RC 290	Ethics & Professionalism in Respiratory Care	2
		Total Credits:	16

Fifth Quarter	Course Number	Course Name	Credits
Second Fall	RC 192	Advanced Mechanical Ventilation	4
	RC 240	Advanced Assessment & Diagnosis	3
	RC 280	Specialty Clinical Rotation	4
		Total Credits:	11

Sixth Quarter	Course Number	Course Name	Credits
Second Winter	Computers	Word I, Excel I, and/or Power Point	1-5 (variable)
	RC 251	Respiratory Pathophysiology Cases	2
	RC 261	Pediatric and Neonatal Respiratory Care	4
	RC 281	Advance Critical Care Clinical Rotation	4
		Total Credits:	11-15

Seventh Quarter	Course Number	Course Name	Credits
Second Spring	ENGL 101	English Composition	5
	RC 262	Review of Application of Respiratory Care (hybrid)	4
	RC 272	Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Home Care & Assistance in Specialty Procedures	3
	RC 282	Neonatal Clinical Rotation	2
	RC 283	Specialty Clinical Rotation II	2
		Total Credits	16

* If students have already completed co-requisite classes, RC 299 (Independent Study) can be substituted for 1-5 credits as needed at any point during the program.
** The orientation is a week-long class. The class is completed between Summer and Fall Quarters.

Additional Optional Program Course

Individual Study (RC 299)............................................................................... 1-5 variable

Total Program Credits........................................................................................128-132

Costs

Tuition*

Students are encouraged to review the official Tuition Rate information posted by Tacoma Community College.

Need help paying for college? You may be eligible for scholarships and financial aid.

Once accepted into the program, there are 7 quarters of Respiratory Therapy courses. Tuition and fee rates are based on WA resident rates (2018-2019) academic year, and are subject to change by Washington State Legislature.

1st Quarter - 17 credits	$1,448.72
2nd Quarter - 14 credits	$1,288.94
3rd Quarter - 15 credits	$1,342.20
4th Quarter - 16 credits	$1,395.46
5th Quarter - 11 credits	$1,129.16
6th Quarter - 11-15 credits	$1,129.16-$1,342.20
7th Quarter - 16 credits	$1,395.46
Approximate TOTAL	$9,129.10-$9,342.14

Additional fees added at the time of registration include:

Facility Fee - $.50 per credit to 15 credits, maximum rate $7.50; Technology Fee - $1.75 per credit to 10 credits, maximum rate $17.50; Safety Fee - $15.00 per student; Health and Wellness Center Fee - $30.00; Early Ed. Childcare Building Fee - $12.50; Student Center Building Fee - $15.00; eLearning Fee (for web enhanced, hybrid, or online courses) - $6/credit; Course Fees - as displayed in class schedule for individual classes.

Approximate Miscellaneous Costs

Course, Lab and Clinical Fees	$250
Books	$1,500
Uniform (Scrubs) per set	$50
Shoes	$100
Name Tag	$6
Stethoscope	$60
Watch with Second Hand	Variable
Immunizations	$250
Health Insurance	Variable
Conference fees (Vary by Location)	$250
Trajecsys Clinical Report System	$150
Verified Credentials Background Check and Health Clearance Tracking	$82.50
Clinical Placements Northwest (CPNW)	$75/year
Washington State Patrol Criminal Background Check	$12/year

Graduation and National Board Examination Fees

Therapist Multiple Choice Exam	$190
Clinical Simulation Exam	$200
State License Fee	$140
Graduation Regalia (Optional)	$25

*Tuition costs are subject to change and reflect 2018-2019 rates.