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 complete 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.
If you need additional information, contact:
Becky Byrd
PO Box 447
Amarillo, Texas 79178
(806) 354- 6058
or
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).
The minimum requirements for admission are as follows:
| 1. | Have a high school diploma or a GED. |
| 2. | Be 18 years old at the completion of the program. |
| 3. | Complete and submit an application to Amarillo College. All transcripts must be on file in the registrars office and accessible on Colleague, the College's database. |
| 4. | Complete and submit the Health Sciences Application (https://acconnect.actx.edu/forms/health/) |
| 5. | Be able to fully participate in the normal laboratory and clinical activities required by the Respiratory Care program as described in the Functional Requirements document. A medical release, signed by a physician, may be required to document that this criterion is met. |
| 6. | Pass a criminal background check and upload immunizations records. Texas law requires that all students enrolling in heath programs in colleges and universities have specific immunizations... (Hepatitis B series, MMR, TDaP, TB test (purified protein derivative), Varicella (if you had Chicken Pox, a titer will be needed) and a flu vaccine is required annually during October). Upon admission to the program, students are required to perform a drug screening before attending hospital clinical rotations. To initiate a background check, upload vaccination and drug screening records, go to Complio (American DataBank Group). |
| 7. | Beginning 2021, Respiratory Care program applicants are required to take the HESI (A2) Exam for Health Sciences which consists of English (Reading Comprehension), Math, Anatomy & Physiology, and Critical Thinking Skills. More information will be provided during the scheduled Informational meetings (see #10, below). HESI A2 will be scored as follows: HESI may be taken only once per year. Past results within a year of application will be considered if the following sections are tested: Reading comprehension, Math, Anatomy and Physiology, and Critical thinking. Results from composite score: x 0.30; i.e. if a student scores 85.1 x 0.30 = 25.53, or 26 points (points are rounded to the nearest whole number). Results from Critical Thinking: <0 - 699 = 0 points 700 - 799 = 5 points 800 - 849 = 10 points 850 - 899 = 15 points > 900 = 20 points |
| 8. | Have at least a 2.0 G.P.A. in completed college courses in order to be accepted into the program. |
| 9. | Attend one (1) of the Informational Meetings at the West Campus, Allied Health Building, 6222 W. 9th Ave, Amarillo TX 79106. The 2024 schedule of meetings are as follows: Friday, February 7, 2025 at 10:00 am in WCAH 102 |
| 10. | Casper Assessment Requirement – 2025/26 Admissions Cycle What is Casper? When Will I Know if I Need to Take Casper? 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. |
Points for admission into the Respiratory Care Program will be awarded as follows (Completion is defined as earning a grade of C or higher):
Completion of General Education courses as listed in the catalog for this program:
(General Education courses are Freshman Composition 1, Speech, Psychology, Human Anatomy & Physiology 1, and Language/Philosophy/Culture/Creative Arts.)
Each "A" = 10 points
Each "B" = 7 Points
Each "C" = 4 points
The application must be submitted to the Respiratory Care program no later than 3:00 p.m. on April 25 if you are applying for the Fall semester of the same year.
Acceptance notifications will be sent out on May 30. After receiving the acceptance email, you must reply by 5:00 p.m. on June 2 to secure your position for the fall class.
** Final acceptance into the program is based on the results of the Criminal Background Check.
If you are denied acceptance into the program, you may reapply to be considered for the following Fall semester.
Legislation requires students entering Texas public colleges and universities 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.