Respiratory Care Associate in Science Degree
The mission of the Associate in Science in Respiratory Care (AS-RC) program at Lake Sumter State College is to provide access to affordable, high-quality, didactic, and clinical instruction to prepare students to work as competent respiratory therapists in hospital respiratory care or cardiopulmonary departments, physicians’ offices, home care, education, and sales. Successful completion of this program qualifies students to apply to the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) to take the exam for respiratory therapist. Upon successful completion of the NBRC exam, the graduate is eligible to apply for a respiratory therapist state license. The program is committed to producing well-qualified, committed, ethical therapists to serve Central Florida and beyond.
A respiratory therapist (RT) specializes in the evaluation, treatment, and care of patients with heart and lung problems. The RT works within the scope of physicians' orders and established protocols to administer respiratory therapy to patients with chronic illness (e.g., asthma, emphysema), as well as acute illness (e.g., drowning, heart failure, shock). The RT works with some of the most sophisticated machinery and medically fragile patients present in healthcare today. Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals in respiratory or cardiopulmonary departments. Other career opportunities are available in physicians' offices, home care, education, and sales. Critical thinking, patient- and environment-assessment skills, and evidence-based clinical practices enable a respiratory therapist to develop and implement effective care plans, patient-driven protocols, and disease-prevention and disease-management programs.
The purpose of the Respiratory Care Program is to prepare outstanding entry-level respiratory therapists (RTs) to meet the dynamic healthcare needs of the community. The two-year Lake-Sumter State Respiratory Care Program consists of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences that lead to an Associate in Science in Respiratory Care degree. Clinical experiences are integral to the Respiratory Care Program. The student will be assigned one twelve-hour clinical rotation in area healthcare facilities weekly during clinical semesters.
Upon successful completion of the national board exam (NBRC), the graduate is eligible to apply for a respiratory therapist state license. The state license allows the graduate to participate in a rewarding career working with individuals who have a variety of lung and heart disorders.
Accreditation
The Lake-Sumter State College Respiratory Care Program is seeking accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, 264 Precision Blvd, Telford, TN 37690; telephone: 817.283.2835.
Admission
The Respiratory Care Program is a limited-admission program that consists of 76 credit hours and awards the Associate in Science in Respiratory Care upon successful completion. As a limited-admission program, each applicant must first be admitted to the College and meet pre-admission requirements.
Admission Requirements
- The prospective student must gain acceptance to Lake-Sumter State College as a degree-seeking student with all required admission documents received by the Registrar's Office.
- The applicant must complete any required Developmental Education courses.
- The applicant must have an overall GPA of 2.0 (or higher) at the time of application and admission to the program. Complete all prerequisite courses with a C or better.
- The following prerequisite coursework must be completed at the time of application, and a grade of C or better must be attained.
Additional Requirements
- Completion of required immunizations and communicable disease screenings. See the Allied Health Department for current requirements.
- Completion of a physical examination and essential functions examination by a licensed provider (MD/DO/PA-C/ARNP).
- Submission of a signed affidavit attesting that the applicant has not committed specific criminal acts.
- Completion of a drug screening by a department-approved vendor.
- Completion of a national background check by a department-approved vendor.
- Must be 18 years of age or older by the program start date.
- Official transcripts from all prior institutions are submitted to LSSC.
- An applicant with a specific conviction or a positive drug screening may not be accepted into the Respiratory Care Program. See the Department of Allied Health for further information. A positive drug screening or conviction occurring after full admission and matriculation into the program is addressed according to departmental policy and may provide cause for dismissal from the program.
Selection Criteria
All eligible applicants are considered for the Respiratory Care Program. The most qualified applicants are selected based on current enrollment, completed coursework, and the cumulative grade point average (GPA) earned in the prerequisite course, program-required courses, and previous coursework.
Program Requirements
General Education Courses Respiratory Care
| ENC 1101 | College Composition I | 3 Credits |
| BSC 2085C | Human Anatomy & Physiology I w/Lab | 4 Credits |
| BSC 2086C | Human Anatomy & Physiology II w/Lab | 4 Credits |
| PSY 2012 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 Credits |
| MAC 1105 | College Algebra | 3 Credits |
| CHM 1025C | Introductory Chemistry w/Lab | 4 Credits |
| MCB 2010C | Microbiology w/Lab | 4 Credits |
| See Choices | Select from Area II: Humanities | 3 Credits |
| | | |
| POS 2041 | American National Government | 3 Credits |
| | OR | |
| AMH 2020 | U.S. History Since 1877 | 3 Credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 31 |
Technical Education Phase
| RET 1025C | Principles of Respiratory Care | 4 Credits |
| RET 1274C | Clinical Care Techniques | 4 Credits |
| RET 1485 | Cardiopulmonary Physiology | 3 Credits |
| RET 1265C | Principles of Mechanical Ventilation | 4 Credits |
| RET 1295 | Chest Medicine | 3 Credits |
| RET 1450C | Basic Physiological Monitoring | 4 Credits |
| RET 1007 | Respiratory Pharmacology | 2 Credits |
| RET 2714C | Pediatric/Neonatal Respiratory Care | 4 Credits |
| RET 2930 | Respiratory Care Seminar | 1 Credit |
| Total Credit Hours: | 29 |
Clinical Education Phase
| RET 1874L | Respiratory Care Clinical I | 4 Credits |
| RET 1875L | Respiratory Care Clinical II | 4 Credits |
| RET 2876L | Respiratory Care Clinical III | 4 Credits |
| RET 2877L | Respiratory Care Clinical IV | 4 Credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Total Credit Hours: 76
When beginning this program, the student should make an appointment with the advising program manager. Only required courses for an LSSC degree or qualifying certificate are eligible for federal financial aid. Verify course choices and avoid charges by making an appointment with an academic advisor.
Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all program courses to qualify for graduation.
As per the amended Florida Rule 6A-10.02413, prior to the award of an associate in science or associate in applied science degree, LSSC students under the 2022-2023 Catalog and thereafter must demonstrate competency in civic literacy through one of the following options prior to graduation:
- successfully passing POS 2041 American National Government or AMH 2020 U.S. History Since 1877 and achieving a 60% or higher on the Florida Civic Literacy Exam , or
- successfully passing a prescribed assessment:
AP Government & Politics Test: United States (passing score of 3), or
AP U.S. History Test (passing score of 4), or
CLEP: American Government (passing score of 50)
To verify your Civic Literacy Requirement, please visit Degree Works
For information about career options, visit www.lssc.edu/careers
Students must complete 25% of each program’s total credit hours at LSSC.
| Academic Advising |
| Leesburg Campus |
352-365-3574 |
| South Lake Campus |
352-243-5722 |
| Sumter Center |
352-568-0001 |
| Career Development Services |
| Careers@lssc.edu |
352-323-3603 |
| Program Contact Information |
| ShearerJ@lssc.edu |
352-365-3521 |