Respiratory Care

Midland College’s Respiratory Care program is a 20-month curriculum leading to an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Respiratory Therapy. Courses are completed in four 16-week academic semesters and one 12-week summer session. Classes begin the last Monday of August.

Respiratory Care is a full-time program. Courses consist of class, lab, and clinical rotations. Local clinical rotations include Midland Memorial Hospital, Medical Center Hospital, Odessa, and Odessa Regional Medical Center. Out-of-town rotations include Covenant Medical Center and University Medical Center in Lubbock.

Students can work part-time but must stay current with daily assignments. All respiratory courses are face-to-face in class, lab, or clinical sites. Online courses are only available for general education courses.

Physical Abilities and Technical Standards to Master

• Utilize both visual and auditory monitoring equipment safely and effectively
• Assess and record changes in patient status using visual, auditory, and tactile senses
• Troubleshoot patient/equipment systems
• Effectively and appropriately communicate and relate with patients, their families, and members of the health care team using oral and/or written means
• Possess strength and mobility sufficient to support and transport patients as well as equipment
• Perform respiratory care procedures while wearing personal protective equipment (mask, gown, gloves, etc.)
• Safely and effectively prioritize workload
• Perform CPR (bag and mask ventilation, chest compressions)
• Utilize intellectual ability to adapt to changing patients’ conditions

Respiratory Care students satisfactorily completing the program receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.). Graduates are eligible for the Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) examination given by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Therapist Multiple Choice

The Therapist Multiple Choice (TMC) must be passed at one cut score to obtain the credential, Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT), and both the TMC (at a higher cut score) and Clinical Simulation Exam (CSE) must be passed to obtain the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Following credentialing, the graduate will apply to the Texas Medical Board (TMB) for licensure. A therapist cannot work in the state of Texas without obtaining a license.

Future Opportunities

CRT and RRT credentials are honored throughout the fifty United States and Canada, geography is no barrier to career opportunities. 

Transfer Schools

• Texas State University, San Marcos, Tx BS degree
• Texas Southern University, Houston, Tx BS degree
• Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Tx BS degree
• University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Tx, BS degree, Master of Science in Health Professions (MSHP), and the dual degree Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care and Master of Physician Assistant Studies (BSRC/MPAS)
• University of Texas Health Sciences Center, San Antonio, Tx BS degree, MS degree

July 15 - Application Due Date

Advisement for prospective students will take place throughout the year. All applicants must complete all requirements to be considered for admission. All items must be in the applicant’s file by July 15th. Early application submissions are encouraged.

Program Requirements

• GPA
  Cumulative Grade Point Average at least 2.25
  
  
• Testing
  Applicants must show competence in reading, writing, and math by taking and passing the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) and can be taken at the MC Testing Center.
  
  
• TOEFL
  Students born and educated outside the U.S must take the TOEFL and pass with 79% or higher.
  
  
• CPR Certified
  Training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) must be completed prior to the start of classes for students accepted into the program. Healthcare Provider Basic Certification must be obtained from the American Heart Association.
  
  
• Successful Completion of Anatomy & Physiology I & II with a "C" or better.
  (BIOL2401 & BIOL2402)
  
  
• Complete Requirements by Due Date
  Complete application steps and submit all required documentation by July 15

Application Steps

Step 1

Apply to Midland College

• MC Application
• Admission, Assessment, Advising, and Registration (MC Catalog)

Step 2

Submit official copy of all college transcripts to the MC Records Department for processing (if not already done so). Send official transcripts electronically to records@midland.edu or mail to:

Midland College Records
3600 N. Garfield
Midland, TX 79705

Step 3

Schedule and complete an advising session by contacting the Program Chair, Kally Eddison. An unofficial transcript with cumulative GPA must be provided during session.

Contact: Kally Eddison

Step 4

After your advising session, complete the online application. Once submission is received, additional information will be sent via email.

Health Science’s Program Application

Step 5

• • • Clear criminal background check
      
      
    • CPR Certified
      CPR training through the American Heart Association as a Professional Rescuer must be current prior to the beginning of the program and must be maintained throughout the respiratory care program.
      
      
    • Proof of the following immunizations is required prior to program admission:
      • • Hepatitis B vaccine (3 dose series), proof of positive titer, or Dept. of State Health Services waiver
        • Measles Mumps-Rubella
        • Varicella (Chickenpox)
        • Tetanus Diphtheria Pertussis (Tdap)
        • Bacterial Meningitis (if required)
        • Clinical agencies require students to have the current influenza vaccine, tuberculosis screening each year, and COVID-19 vaccinations or approved medical/religious exemption.

Selection Criteria (Point System)

The 20 applications with the highest cumulative points will be accepted each fall semester. 

Notification will be mailed before the last business day of July.

Prerequisite and General Requirement course Grades

An applicant can receive a maximum of 24 points in this area.

A = 4 points
B = 3 points
C = 2 points
D = 0 points

Points awarded for a previous degree

Master’s = 8 points
Bachelor’s = 6 points
Associate’s = 4 points

prior health care experience

Points may be awarded for prior health care experience. A letter from your supervisor must be provided.

Accepted Students

Accepted students will receive an official letter/email of acceptance that will be mailed to the address on the application within a week or two after the application deadline and completion of the admission requirements.

MC Respiratory Care Program & Student Handbook (pdf)

Program Cost

The average cost for the first year of the program is $5,000 which includes tuition, fees, books, supplies and uniforms. The total average cost for both years is approximately $8,000. There are additional expenses related to clinical rotations. Students are responsible for housing, transportation, and meals during these trips. Students can offset some of theses costs by sharing expenses with classmates.

Tuition & Fees (MC Catalog)

To be considered for a scholarship, please follow the link below:

General Scholarships

Program Mission

The mission of the Respiratory Care program is to provide the instruction and resources necessary to enable individuals to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will allow the student to become successful and competent professional Respiratory Therapists. 

Program Purpose & Goal

To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of Respiratory Care practices performed by Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT's).

To help satisfy the need in the local and regional communities for proficient Respiratory Therapists.

Accreditation Status

The Midland College Respiratory Care Program, CoARC #200303, Associate in Applied Science in Respiratory Care on the Midland College campus, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
 
CoARC accredits respiratory therapy education programs in the United States. To achieve this end, it utilizes an ‘outcomes’ 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.

• CoARC Website
• CoARC – Programmatic Outcomes Data

General Course Work (66 Credit Hours)

Prerequisites

Department/Number	Course Name
BIOL 2401	Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 2402	Anatomy and Physiology II

 

Fall Semester I

Department/Number	Course Name
*HPRS 1106	Essentials of Medical Terminology
RSPT 1260	Clinical I
RSPT 1340	Advanced Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
RSPT 1371	Introduction to Respiratory Care
RSPT 1410	Respiratory Care Procedures I

 

Spring Semester I

Department/Number	Course Name
*ENGL 1301	Composition I
RSPT 1213	Respiratory Care Pharmacology
RSPT 1360	Clinical II
RSPT 1411	Respiratory Care Procedures II
RSPT 2310	Cardiopulmonary Disease

     

Summer Semester

Department/Number	Course Name
RSPT 1362	Clinical III
RSPT 2414	Mechanical Ventilation

     

Fall Semester II

Department/Number	Course Name
RSPT 2362	Clinical IV
RSPT 2353	Neonatal/Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Care
RSPT 2358	Respiratory Care Patient Assessment
*Elective	Social/Behavioral Sciences

     

Spring Semester II

Department/Number	Course Name
RSPT 2247	Specialties in Respiratory Care
RSPT 2139	Advanced Cardiac Life Support
RSPT 2363	Clinical V
RSPT 2230	Respiratory Care Examination Preparation
*Elective	Humanities/Fine Arts

Scholarship Plus Employment

Midland College, in partnership with Midland Memorial Hospital, offers up to a full scholarship (tuition, fees, books, uniforms, supplies and licensing exam fees).

Applicants must be admitted to this MC program, complete a Midland Memorial Hospital application, interview and complete a work agreement before the scholarship will be applied. Scholarship recipients will commit to two years of employment with Midland Memorial Hospital.