The Respiratory Care Program prepares students to enter a dynamic and progressive health care profession. Respiratory Therapists work with advanced technology making it possible to help patients with respiratory and cardiac disorders in ways that were impossible years ago. The Respiratory Care program provides hands-on education in diverse clinical settings such as adult and neonatal critical care, emergency care, longterm care, pulmonary rehabilitation and diagnostic services. Respiratory Therapists are vital members of the health care team who work closely with physicians providing education and support to patients with acute and chronic lung conditions.  To learn more about the Respiratory Care profession, click here.

The Naugatuck Valley Community College Respiratory Care Associate Degree Program is located on the Waterbury Campus.  It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.  For more information regarding accreditation, visit www.coarc.com or contact them at 817-283-2835. Program reference number: 200460

How to Apply:

Application Information, Admission Requirements, Curriculum and additional information for the Respiratory Care program beginning Fall 2023 can be found here.

CLINICAL JOB SHADOW: A clinical job shadow is strongly recommended. Contact the program director for more information on how to schedule a shadow.

NOTE: Applicants who are enrolled in and plan to complete prerequisites during the winter may apply.  Applicants who are enrolled in an successfully complete prerequisites during the spring semester may also apply but will only be considered after all other eligible candidates have accepted or declined their position.

Special Admission Requirements for Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT s)

Graduates of a one year certificate program who seek admission to the program and have successfully completed the Certification Exam for Respiratory Therapists by the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) will be admitted into the program as a second year student. All CRT s seeking admission into the program must provide proof of certification in order to receive credit for the following technician level courses:

• RSP* H112 - Fundamentals of Respiratory Care
    
• RSP* H131 - Applied Pharmacology
    
• RSP* H121 - Cardiopulmonary Anatomy and Physiology
    
• RSP* H141 - Principles of Respiratory Care
    
• RSP* H151 - Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology and Diagnostics
    
• RSP* H180 - Clinical Practicum
    
• RSP* H181 - Clinical Practicum II
    
• RSP* H281 - Advanced Clinical Practicum
    (transfer credit requires approval from the Director of Clinical Education).

Students entering the program as a CRT must complete all of the general education courses prior to graduation. All applicants will be required to take a self-assessment exam by the NBRC prior to admission to the program. This test is not used for admission into the program, but for internal purposes only.

Transfer Requirements:

1. Students seeking transfer into the program must apply to the Program Director by the program application deadline (January 15).
2. Official transcripts must be provided with the application.
3. Consideration for transfer into the Respiratory Care Program depends on whether there are available openings at the time of the request.
4. Transfer admission is based on GPA and previous completed course work.
5. A minimum GPA of 2.5.
6. Students who were previously or are currently enrolled in another Respiratory Care program must have successfully completed their Respiratory Care and science requirements with a grade of “C” or better.
7. The Program Director and the Director of Clinical Education will evaluate previous respiratory care course work for equivalency with NVCC respiratory care courses.

Please contact the program director for details or questions.

Additional Program Information:

Learning is planned as a progression of increasing complexity. For a student to progress to the next semester, a minimum grade of “C” is required in all respiratory courses. 

Chemistry taken prior to admission must have been completed no earlier than 8 years prior to expected entry into the program.  It must be equivalent to CHE* H111 .

Anatomy and Physiology I and II taken prior to admission must have been completed no earlier than 5 years prior to expected entry into the program.  They must be equivalent to BIO* H211  and BIO* H212  and must be completed with a grade of “C” or better before a student can progress to the second year of the program.

Students must achieve a “C” or better in all required courses.

Electives and other core courses may be taken prior to the recommended semester.

Due to the extensive time requirements for classes, clinical and studying, the program faculty strongly recommend that students not work for more than 20 hours per week.

Students admitted to the program undergo criminal background checks and drug screens.  Students who do not pass these may be excluded from clinical practice and may not meet the competencies of the program.

General Education Core course listings and definitions appear on General Education Core . Placement testing will determine the sequencing of courses. Additional courses may be required. The suggested sequence for full-time students is shown below.