The Respiratory Care Program (CoARC #200199) on the West Campus of Amarillo College is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.
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.
Twenty new students are accepted each year. They receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree and the necessary training to become eligible for both the Certified Respiratory Therapist and Registered Respiratory Therapist exams offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care. The program is 21 months long and requires the successful completion of 66 semester hours.
Inquiries regarding accreditation and degree advancement should be directed to:
The Respiratory Care Program at Amarillo College accepts 20 new students each fall semester and provides the necessary training to become eligible for the Registry exams offered by the National Board for Respiratory Care.
The program is 21 months long and requires the successful completion of 66 semester hours. The required courses can be divided into three categories: 1) general education, 2) respiratory care science and 3) clinical application. The general education portion includes such courses as Anatomy and Physiology, Psychology, English, and Speech. The respiratory care science courses concentrate on the theory, techniques and equipment of respiratory care. The clinical application courses are conducted in area hospitals and provide the student with hands-on experience in the practice of Respiratory Care.
The curriculum is designed to be completed in two years. However, most students prefer to take lighter loads each semester. To accomplish this, it is strongly recommended that the student completes as many general education requirements as possible prior to entering into the Respiratory Care Program. Students who have already completed some college courses can have their transcript evaluated by the registrar and program director for transfer of credit.
The program at Amarillo College does not offer advanced placement of students. When possible, course equivalency will be granted to students transferring into the program for courses completed satisfactorily at another Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) accredited program.
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).
If you are a student seeking entry into the Respiratory Care Program, we require you to first review the Steps to Apply.
You must also file the specific Health Science Application and complete the additional admission procedures as required.
Prior to completing the application, students must attend an Informational Meeting on the Amarillo College West Campus Allied Health Building. You will need to attend one of the following dates:
Acceptance to the program is based on a point system, outlined below.
HESI Results from Composite Score x 0.30 | 30 Maximum Points |
| HESI Critical Thinking >900 = 20 points 850-899 = 15 points 800-849 = 10 points 700-799 = 5 points <699 = 0 points | 30 Maximum Points |
| Prerequisite Courses Completion of General Education courses as listed in the catalog for this program: BIOL 2401*, ENGL 1301*, and HITT 1205*, any 3-credit PSYC*, any 3-credit SPCH*, and any 3-credit course in Language/Philosophy/Culture/Creative Arts*. Points based on the highest 5 (five) recorded course grades (prerequisite respiratory care courses) A = 10 B = 7 C =4 D or below = 0 *All Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to application submission. | 50 Maximum Points |
| Previous Degree Earned (minimum Associates Degree) | 5 Maximum Points |
| Total Points Possible | 105 Points |
A select percentage of top-ranking applicants must complete the Casper assessment as part of the 2025/26 admissions process.
What is Casper?
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test designed to assess personal and professional skills important for success in our program. The test takes 65–85 minutes to complete and complements other tools used in our applicant evaluation process.
When Will I Know if I Need to Take Casper?
The Respiratory Care Program Admissions Committee reviews all applications to determine top-ranking candidates.
Here is the timeline for notifications:
If you are selected, you will receive an email from the Admissions Committee with a registration code and instructions for completing the Casper test.
Selection Process Overview:
Important:
Failure to complete the Casper assessment, if selected, will result in your application being removed from further consideration.
If you need additional information, contact:
Becky Byrd
PO Box 447
Amarillo, Texas 79178
(806) 354-6058
E-mail: rbyrd@actx.edu
Amarillo College does not discriminate on the basis or race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion or disability in its educational programs, activities or employment policies. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
If you are denied acceptance into the program, you may re-apply to be considered for the following Fall semester.
Legislation requires students entering Texas public colleges and universities to be assessed for reading, mathematics, and writing skills before they enroll in any collegiate course work for credit, unless exempt. The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) was established in 2003 by TEC code 51.307. TSI is designed to ensure that students have the academic skills necessary for effective performance in college-level course work. Assessments used at Amarillo College for TSI purposes are THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment) and ACCUPLACER. Results of these assessments are used by advisors to place students into appropriate course work and to help students achieve academic success at Amarillo College. Assessments are administered by Testing Services located in Room 101 in the Student Service Center. Testing schedules may be obtained in Testing Services or by accessing the Testing Services web page at www.actx.edu/testing.
Respiratory Care is an Allied Health specialty concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases. Respiratory Therapists work as part of a team with physicians, nurses and other specialists to provide total care to their patients. Respiratory Therapists are involved in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of respiratory disorders.
Hospitals are the primary employers of Respiratory Therapists. Within the hospital setting, therapists work with patients in all age groups, and in all clinical areas, from general care to neonatal, pediatric and adult intensive care. However, many therapists now work in the home care setting as well as in alternative sites, such as pulmonary rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics.
According to the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of respiratory therapists is expected to grow 14 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Learn more about being a respiratory therapist from the American Association for Respiratory Care.
Check out the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for Respiratory Care.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Respiratory Therapists,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists.htm (visited December 15, 2024)
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Find out more information at Be-an-RT.org. Make a lasting and meaningful difference in the lives of others.
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