Respiratory Therapist

Mission Statement

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 Therapist program, CoARC program number 200248, Dothan, AL is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care http://www.coarc.com, and is recognized by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Comparable data related to student/graduate outcomes for this and all programs accredited by CoARC can be found at  https://coarc.com/students/programmatic-outcomes-data/.  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 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, both in traditional and non-traditional settings. Graduates are eligible to attempt the Therapist Multiple-Choice Examination (TMC), which is designed to objectively measure essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required of entry-level respiratory therapists, as well as determine eligibility for the Clinical Simulation Examination (CSE). There are two established cut scores for the TMC Examination, the first of which earns one the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential, and a higher cut score that qualifies examinees to sit for the CSE. Individuals who attempt and pass the TMC with the higher cut score, and attempt and pass the CSE, will be awarded the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Graduates of this program who complete these national examinations also meet criteria for licensure in states where licensure is required.