Are you interested in health care and helping people? Are you a problem-solver who’s also compassionate, sensitive and personable? Do you have good manual dexterity and the ability to work accurately and neatly?

If so, El Centro College has a great fit for you: our Respiratory Care program! Working as a respiratory care practitioner (RCP) or registered respiratory therapist (RRT) offers a high level of personal satisfaction and earning power. Demand for skilled employees is already high in this rewarding field, and the number of jobs is expected to grow.

Workers in respiratory care work in virtually every aspect of health care services — hospitals, clinics, critical care units, diagnostic labs, nursing homes and home care, performing complex patient care procedures for all age levels. They specialize in the management, treatment, evaluation and rehabilitation of people who have problems breathing and may have diseases such as asthma, emphysema, coronary heart disease and more.

Respiratory Care Degree Information

El Centro College is the only DCCCD college that offers the Respiratory Care program.

The Associate in Applied Sciences Degree in Respiratory Care is awarded for the successful completion of the program, which enables graduates to take the entry-level Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credentialing exam and the advanced practitioners’ Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) exam offered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC).

Graduates can apply for a practicing RCP (Respiratory Care Practitioner) license from the Texas Department of State Health Services during their last month in the program.

Other Degree and Certificate Options

The Dallas County Community College District offers nearly 350 career and technical degrees and certificates, plus 36 academic degrees. For more information, see a chart of our degree plans by location.