Respiratory Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

Do I need to submit my high school transcripts? Do graduates get jobs? What is the starting pay? How many applicants do we get? Do I need to complete the general education courses before applying to the program? I took Chemistry fifteen years ago in high school. Should I take a college Chemistry course to brush up my Chemistry Skills? Do I need to complete the General Education courses if I have a bachelors degree? Do you have a technician or a therapist program? How can I find out exactly what a Respiratory Therapist does? Can I work while taking the Respiratory Therapy Program? Do you have an evening program? Can I go part time through the program? Who can I call if I have questions? Answers Do I need to submit my high school transcripts? Yes, but only if they contain documentation of prerequisite course work. Remember to allow sufficient time to request the transcripts, insure their arrival before the May 30th deadline, and include them with your application. Back to Top Do graduates get jobs? Yes. Our local hospitals typically hire our graduates. Currently the job market is once again wide open, so it’s a great time to get started on your career in Respiratory Therapy. Back to Top What is the starting pay? Typical starting salaries for 2005 averaged $27 — 34/hour. In addition, hospitals provide great benefit packages. Back to Top How many applicants do we get? Each year is different. Back to Top Do I need to complete the general education courses before applying to the program? We recommend you complete some or all of the courses, but you can apply to the program without having done these courses. If you’re accepted in the program you’ll need to complete the general education courses before you can graduate. Back to Top I took Chemistry fifteen years ago in high school. Should I take a college Chemistry course to brush up my Chemistry Skills? No. We would rather you concentrate on the general education courses and other science courses (A&P, Micro, Psychology). One of the first courses in the program is Respiratory Therapy Sciences. We’ll help you review what you may have forgotten. Back to Top Do I need to complete the General Education courses if I have a bachelors degree? No, if you have a degree from a U.S. accredited college or university. Back to Top Do you have a technician or a therapist program? We have only an Advanced Practitioner Therapist level program. Upon completion of our program, you can sit for the CRT and RRT examinations, to obtain your credential as a Registered Respiratory Therapist as well as earn your state licensure. Back to Top How can I find out exactly what a Respiratory Therapist does? Enroll in RSPT 200L which is offered in the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. This class is self paced with an introductory session typically held on the second Thursday of the quarter at 4:30 pm in Room 5307. This class organizes a hospital visit for you and let's you learn about the field of Respiratory Therapy. Back to Top Can I work while taking the Respiratory Therapy Program? Yes, but we recommend working as little as possible. The classes take a lot of study time. Back to Top Do you have an evening program? No, not at this time. Back to Top Can I go part time through the program? You can take the prerequisites, general education courses and science (A&P, Micro, Psychology) courses prior to starting the Respiratory Therapy courses. Once enrolled in the Respiratory Therapy Program, you will need to take the Respiratory classes in the recommended sequence. Back to Top Who can I call if I have questions? Kerry West, (650) 949-7538, Virginia Becchine, Program Director (650) 949-7466, Davida Vance Lee, Counselor (650) 949-7257. Back to Top