Respiratory Therapist

The Respiratory Therapist Program is a five semester course of study consisting of 75 semester hours of general education and respiratory therapist classes leading to an Associate in Applied Science Degree.

The Wallace Community College Respiratory Therapy Program (CoARC Program Number 200248), Associate in Applied Science in Dothan, AL, holds Continuing Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), and is recognized by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Comparable data related to student and graduate outcomes for this and all programs accredited by CoARC can be found on the CoARC Programmatic Outcomes Data page. CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an “outcome-based” process. Programmatic outcomes are performance indicators that reflect the extent to which the educational goals of the program are achieved and by which program effectiveness is documented.

Both didactic and clinical training are provided to enable each graduate to function as an assistant to the physician in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of effective respiratory therapy. Graduates also serve as educational and therapeutic resources for patients who suffer from disorders of the cardiopulmonary system. The Program educates individuals to become respiratory therapists capable of administering respiratory care based on the application of principles and concepts involved in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases and related abnormalities in both traditional and non-traditional settings. Graduates are eligible to attempt the Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination (TMC), which measures essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required of entry-level respiratory therapists and determines eligibility for the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). Those who pass the TMC with the higher cut score may sit for the CSE, and individuals who pass both earn the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Graduates who complete these examinations also meet criteria for licensure in states where licensure is required.