Department of Respiratory Care

Washington Adventist University’s “AAS in 5” is a five-semester curriculum in Respiratory Care, designed to be completed in two academic years. It prepares the student to function as an advanced Respiratory Care Practitioner, a life support specialist in the treatment, diagnostic evaluation, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system.

Mission Statement

Committed to excellence — Washington Adventist University’s Respiratory Care Program shall provide an academic teaching environment that creates a supportive learning experience for the student. As defined by our Program Goal, we are dedicated to transform students into competent professionals who are moral leaders in the Respiratory Care profession, as well as in their communities.

Accreditation

The Washington Adventist University Respiratory Care Program in Takoma Park Maryland is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) | www.coarc.com

Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care
1248 Harwood Road, Bedford, TX 76021-4244
(817) 283-2835

Graduates of the program are eligible for the examinations that earn the following six credentials offered through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) | www.nbrc.org

  • CRT: Certified Respiratory Therapist — The entry level credential in Respiratory Care is the minimum competency required in most states to obtain a license to practice. This credential is typically required for admission to the other credentialing exams
  • RRT: Registered Respiratory Therapist — The advanced practitioner credential in Respiratory Care which is the program goal and required by most employers for hiring
  • NPS: Neonatal Pediatric Specialist — credential that documents competence in providing Respiratory Care to infants, toddlers, and children
  • CPFT: Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist — the entry-level credential in Pulmonary Functions
  • RPFT: Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist — the advanced practitioner credential in Pulmonary Functions
  • SDS: Sleep Disorders Specialist — The credential that document competence in performing sleep disorders testing and therapeutic intervention
  • Coming soon: The NBRC is currently developing an adult critical care specialty examination and when that becomes available, graduates will be eligible to earn that credential

Graduates of the program are also eligible for the examination that earns the following credential offered through the National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB) | www.naecb.org

  • AE-C: Certified Asthma Educator — the credential that documents competence in providing therapeutic care and education to patients with asthma and their families.

Program Goal

To prepare graduates with demonstrated competence in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains of respiratory care practice as performed by registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).

Programs Offered

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Respiratory Care Application Packet

Respiratory Care Application Packet

Recommendation - professor

Recommendation - supervisor

Course Descriptions

Please read the Department of Respiratory Care section in the Academic bulletin.